Questions to ask potential landlords

[anencephalic]

Need advice on what kinds of questions to ask my new potential landlord...anyone?

Aloha,

[tRmedic21]

Now, this could be a long post.... lol

Let's see....

Make sure they speak English well.
If they won't give you their personal phone number, run away (unless someone manages the place for them).
Find out if they have someone specific to handle repairs, like a fix-it man, and how long they usually take.
Do they reside 12 months a year on the island? I haven't talked to my landlord in 3 months, and I have no way to contact him until he returns in the fall.
What guarantee do you have that you will get your 'deposit' back? Can you use it for your last months' rent, providing the apartment is in good shape?
Has the apartment ever been burglarized?
Is there a security guard at night or day?
WHO ELSE HAS A KEY to your apartment?
Under any cicumstances, will anyone else be entering your apartment when you are not at home? If so, run away! At the very least, they should call and let you know they are entering, in the case of an emergency, like a broken pipe, or whatever. But just to 'check things out' or a simple exterminator, etc., NO WAY! You can arrange those things to take place when you can be home!
How can you get out of your lease if you don't like it there, and still be able to get your deposit back? This is a slim-to-none chance anyway, but it doesn't hurt to ask. Another reason I advise dorm living if possible for the first sem. I know it isn't for you, Jon, just saying this for others' benefit.
Are there other current students living in the same properties (in the case of an apartment complex), and can you meet with them privately to discuss concerns before signing the lease? Students tend to stick together, and they will usually give you the lowdown on the good and bad points of potential landlords.

My advice is to HOOK UP with current students when you get here and take them to dinner, drinks, whatever, and PICK THEIR BRAINS! Introduce yourself to everyone on campus, and if they have a few minutes, ask them where they live, how they like it, would they change anything, etc. Get their landlord's name and number, and write it all down on a pad of paper! Most students are very receptive to this kind of thing, and there are always students wandering campus day and night. STOP THEM! ASK THEM! INTRODUCE YOURSELF! Jon, since you are coming down early, and hanging with us on Sesame St., you will have a bit of an advantage. For those of you who are coming in the week before classes, lots of the students (including me!) will be gone on break! Too bad.

Don't take the school's 'Housing List' as the end-all be-all. Get out and beat the streets. Go to the realtor's offices. Check out the bulletin boards at school, at the mailbox, go to Ric's Place, Bebe's Corner Grill, ask around. You WILL find something appropriate if you spend the time. It may cost you a few hundred extra in hotel fees, but don't jump into something too quickly unless you have a very good reason, like it was HIGHLY recommended by several students, etc. The money you could save per semester is astronomical in comparison to a few mights in a hotel. I know several people who are breaking (or have broken) their leases in the middle of the night, forfeited 2 months rent in deposits, because it wasn't worth it to them to live there anymore, or they found a better place that was closer/nicer/cheaper, etc. Rent is SO expensive here, that you can find another place and save 200, 300, even 500 a month sometimes very easily. $2000 a semester, or $10,000 over the course of your time in Sint Maarten! That's a BIG deal! Especially this time of the semester, when money starts to run short!

These are just my thoughts at the moment, and they may not jive with others' thoughts. Also, I am sure I will think of a hundred other things, but for now, this should be a start. :)

[anencephalic]

....Seriously, you should consider making that a "Sticky" on this forum...I know you've just helped countless (Okay, a more than a few) students like myself avoid an anxiety attack. It really helps me feel that much more comfortable...see you in T-minus 10 days! :D

Heh, Heh...Sesame Street's got a new neighbor... :twisted:

Aloha,

[microphage]

My advice is to HOOK UP with current students when you get here and take them to dinner, drinks, whatever, and PICK THEIR BRAINS! Introduce yourself to everyone on campus, and if they have a few minutes, ask them where they live, how they like it...

So where do you wanna goto dinner *****? :twisted:

Awesome advice dude. I just printed it out so I'll have a paper copy ready when I arrive on the island.


Jeff

[tRmedic21]

I know tons of students, and almost all have their own differing opinions on what's important in a landlord or a rental property.

I might see if I can compile a comprehensive list of some important questions. I don't like stikies too much, cause I think there are tons of 'em that could be placed there. I wonder if we could add a little download section (heck there might already BE one, I am that lost! lol) where we could upload a few simple Word documents for ppl to DL and print out. that sounds like something what would be pretty handy, and the topics wouldn't clutter up the board, too much, but would still be available to hundreds to DL anytime they wanted....

[heart1st]

You guys know about FAQ's, right? Frequently Asked Questions?

Why don't you make one up and put that under sticky. I would also date the answers, too, since things change from time to time.

heart