Montreal Apartment Information

Where can I find information and resources on available apartments in Montreal?

You have made the first step by visiting this site, Federal Real-estate is a premier property management company in Montreal with a variety of accommodations in a variety of price ranges. The classified listings in local newspapers are often a good source of information about apartments to rent and many newspaper's classified listings are available on-line.

In the Province of Quebec, the total number of rooms contained in an apartment is used to indicate its size, rather than just the number of bedrooms. Each apartment has its own bathroom, which is considered a "half" room.

• 1-1/2: Bachelor or studio apartment. Contains one large room with a kitchenette and a bathroom.
• 2-1/2: Usually a small one-bedroom apartment. Contains a closed bedroom and a living-room with a kitchenette, and a bathroom OR (less often) a living/bedroom with full, closed kitchen and bathroom.
• 3-1/2: One-bedroom apartment: contains a closed bedroom, living-room and full kitchen.
• 4-1/2: Two-bedroom apartment.
• 5-1/2: Three-bedrooms OR 2 bedrooms plus a living room, dining room and kitchen.
• 6-1/2 & up: Three or four bedrooms and up (be sure to ask the owner how many closed bedrooms there are).
• "Rooms": This is a room in someone's home or apartment and is often furnished. Meals are occasionally included, but more often kitchen privileges are offered. Usually the people placing these ads are not students.
• "Shares": These are listings of people who have rented an apartment and are looking for at least one roommate. The apartment is usually furnished except for the available room. These ads are usually placed by students.

The average costs per month for apartments in Montreal are:

• 1-1/2 (studio apartment):$650-850
• 2-1/2 or 3-1/2 (one bedroom): $750-950
• 4-1/2 (two bedroom): $900-1300
• 5-1/2 and up (three or more bedrooms): $1150 and up
• "shares" or "room": $400-600

It is important to visit several apartments before signing a lease. DO NOT sign a lease without visiting the accommodation first--price and the description in the ad are no guarantees of the quality of the accommodation. If you cannot come to Montreal to look for accommodation, have someone visit the accommodation on your behalf. Please be advised however that most landlords or people looking for roommates will not sign a lease with someone they have never met in person.

You may book an appointment with a Federal Real Estate sales agent by calling 514.933.1200

City of Montreal Public Works Department Provides information about garbage collection, recycling, sidewalk repairs, information on drinking water and a schedule of dangerous materials collection etc. Call 872-3434 for fairly comprehensive coverage of these and other city services.

Tandem Montreal is a city-run crime-prevention service that sets up neighborhood-watch programs and offers information and advice on home security. Call 872-1274 to find the one nearest you.

Access Montreal Storefront bureaucracy! Basically an agency set up by the city to allow Montreal residents to take care of business like paying taxes or tickets without going all the way down to city hall. The telephone information service is 24 hours, and gives the addresses of their 13 offices and info on other available services. The Access Montreal membership/discount card costs $5 and entitles you discounts on both city and partner services-from tennis court rental to Centaur theatre tickets. You need to prove you’re a Montreal resident to get one. Call 87-ACCES 24/7 or 872-1111, Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm

Tips for apartments and condos

Managing energy costs is a hot topic for many apartment and condo developments. Especially for those that share a common bill for appliances like in-suite gas fireplaces. Here are some simple ways to use less energy in your strata block or apartment complex:

Space heating

Boilers

Fireplaces

Make-up air units

Water heating

Tank-type heaters

Storage tanks

Pipes

Water temperature

Showers and faucets

Swimming pools

Building structure

Insulation

Windows and doors

The bed & breakfast is the civilized way to experience new surroundings. It should be a cozy little base, close to an interesting part of the city, from which to make your excursions. This isn't a place to hang out during the day - that's why you're on vacation. Leave early in the morning, and do not return to the b&b until the wee hours, not till you've already walked, cabbed, looked, bought, eaten, siesta'd, danced, drunk, and laughed to your heart's content.

Seasoned b&b-ers already know the advantages of a small, charming hideaway.

Seasoned b&b-ers already know the advantages of a small, charming hideaway. There's none of the hotel fuss of porters, elevators, magnetic keys, and mini bars. At its best, it's like staying with a friend. What follows is a sampling, by district, of some of Montreal's bed and breakfasts.

We want feedback. Please let us know what you think of the b&b's in this city, and let the owners of any you visit know if you found them through montreal.com. And if you operate a b&b and would like to be included on this page, please let us know, too.

PLATEAU MONT-ROYAL

À la maison de Pierre et Dominique
271 Carré St-Louis
Montreal
H2X 1A3
514-286-0307
French/English
no smoking

B A Guest
422 Cherrier
Montreal
H2L 1G9
514-738-9410
toll-free
1-800-738-4338
English/no smoking/pets on premises

B & B Square St-Louis
311 Square St-Louis
Montreal
H2X 1A7
514-849-9635
514-849-2369

Garden House
3744 St-André
Montreal
H2L 3V7
514-598-8862
514-598-0667
French/English/no smoking/
pets on premises

Le Chat Bleu
4098 Saint-Hubert
Montreal
H2L 4A8
514-527-3421
514-527-3006
French/English, 2 cats, smoking in dining room only

Le Zèbre
3767 Laval St.
Montreal
H2W 2H8
514-844-9868
514-844-4665
French/English/some Spanish. No smoking in bedrooms.

EAST OF DOWNTOWN

Angelica Blue B & B
1213 Sainte-Elisabeth
Montreal
H2X 3C3
514-844-5048
514-844-2114
no smoking

Au Gîte Olympique
2752 Pie IX
Montreal
H1V 2E9
514-254-5423
toll-free 1-888-254-5423
514-254-4753
French/English
Pets

Chagri
1268 Sherbrooke East
Montreal
H2L 1M1
514-947-1692
514-524-1691
French/English

Chambres au Village
850 de la Gauchetière E.
Montreal
H2L 2N2
514-844-6941
French/English/
pets on premises

La Conciergerie Guest House
1019 rue Saint Hubert,
Montréal
H2L 3Y3
514-289-9297
514-289-0845
English/French/no smoking in bedrooms/pets/clientele is mainly gay

The Gingerbread House
1628 St-Christophe
Montreal
H2L 3W8
514-597-2804
514-990-9345
no smoking

Marmelade B&B
1074 St-Dominique
Montreal
H2X 2W2
514-876-3960
514-876-3926
French/English/dog on premises/smoking in designated areas

Roy d'Carreau Guest House
1637 rue Amherst
Montréal, QC
H2L 3L4
514-524-2493
toll-free 888-309-2493
514-489-3148
French/English/Pets/No Smoking
Gay/Hetero Clientele

DOWNTOWN

Alacoque B&B Revolution
2091 rue St-Urbain
Montreal
H2X 2N1
514-842-0938
514-842-7585
French/English/smoking

Auberge les Bons Matins
1393 Argyle
Montreal
H3G 1V5
514-943-8641
toll-free 1-888-316-3743
514-931-1621 French/English/Portuguese/Pets

Castel Durocher
3488 rue Durocher
Montreal
H2X 2E1
514-282-1697
514-282-0025
French/English/no smoking

Montreal Oasis
3000 Chemin de Breslay
Montreal
H3Y 2G7
514-935-2312
514-935-3154
One Siamese cat.
No smoking.
I speak French, English and Swedish.

WESTMOUNT & N.D.G.

Manoir Harvard
4805 Harvard
Montreal
H3X 3P1
514-488-3570
514-369-5778
French/English/no smoking

Studio B & B 483 Victoria
Westmount
H3Y 2R3
514-989-1640
514-932-8902
no smoking

Many of us can’t wait to get away from sharing our living space with someone as soon as those college dorm days are over. Unfortunately though, it isn’t always feasible to make that immediate leap to solo living. There are just too many practical advantages to living with a roommate-- lower rent, split utility bills, as well as the sheer fun of getting to know another person. So if you find you have to suck it up and share your digs with another, here are some tips to make the search a lot less frightening.

Your First Apartment

Whether you plan on living alone or with roommates, be prepared—your first apartment will most likely be a small one. That's why it pays to plan ahead. Figure out in advance which things you just can't do without. This includes essential furniture, cookware and other basics.

Furniture

Face facts—your first apartment is never going to be featured in Architecture Today. Think bare essentials. A good comfortable chair for study, perhaps a couch or beanbag, a small sturdy desk for homework or a computer, a dresser, a bed of course or perhaps a futon. Baskets and trunks too are a nifty idea...both as decoration and to store extra clothes or other items.

If you need to actually buy furniture, there are many places - like Stacks & Stacks - that sell fine inexpensive furniture and accessories. Also consider flea markets, yard sales or even the Salvation Army or Goodwill. And don't forget such essential things as CD-holders, milk crate bookshelves, hooks to hang your bike or speakers. For sleeping, think about a bed-frame with drawers or raising your bed on concrete blocks for extra storage space. Screens also add a decorative touch to a room...as well as providing an area to "hide" storable items. Another good storage idea—consider stashing the out-of-season stuff in empty suitcases. Finally, put a key hook by the door so you'll always take along your keys.

Cookware

Yes, you're going to have to eat in too. Maybe even learn how to cook. But first, get the basics—a good cast iron skillet, large covered pots, pans for roasting, service for four, and silverware. Don't forget glasses, coffee/tea mugs, a teapot, perhaps even a microwave. And we're not talking sterling silver or fine china here, inexpensive cookware is just fine to start out with.

Decorating

Think plants and posters, colorful rugs and wall coverings. Also consider haunting flea markets and moving sales for those inexpensive funky items that'll add character to your place. Another idea: check out the local record stores for posters. And think about covering your sofa or easy chairs with print sheets—it adds a bit of welcome color to the room.

Finding and fixing up your first apartment can be both fun and a personal statement. Give it a go!

Leaving Your First Apartment, what you can expect:

Be sure to give plenty of notice—30 days is customary.

Clean the place up. Remove nails and spackle over holes. You don't have to shampoo the carpet or repaint unless the place looks like an absolute war zone.

Check to see if your landlord or the Housing Department at your school has something like an inventory sheet to use as evidence that you've left the place in good shape. (If not, borrow someone's Polaroid to create your own evidence.)

If you're thinking of subletting, check with the landlord first to see if a sublease is necessary or even legal. Remember, you're liable for your sublettor's behavior.

Thinking of just up and leaving? DON'T! It's against the law.

Security deposits. A landlord can subtract "wear and tear" from your deposit. The landlord has 30 days to deal with security deposit matters, so be sure to leave a forwarding address.

If you are leaving on good terms, try to get a written recommendation from your landlord to present to another prospective landlord as proof of your "good character."

10+ Things to Pack Last

It's time to pack up for your first apartment. Here's a helpful list of 10+ items to pack last and keep handy...they're the things you'll need to get to first and frequently.

• Extension cords, batteries. Everything's electric these days it seems. Computers, CD-players, your Walkman, all those little gizmos you just can't seem to live without. So it just makes sense to keep that extension cord or pack of new batteries right on top and within easy reach.
• Tools. We're talking hammers and screwdrivers, nails and screws, scotch tape, duct tape and especially, a tape measure.
• A bottle opener and glasses. Thirst always seems to come first—particularly if you have to lug that stuff by yourself. Dehydration is a sneaky beast, so be prepared.
• Snack, pizza or fast food coupons. You're going to work up a hunger so think about treating yourself to a quick bite or a night out at Mickey D's.
• Address book or PDA. Keep those important telephone numbers handy.
• Cell phone or regular telephone with plug—put these within easy reach. There's always potential for an emergency.
• Sufficient cash. Duh...but if you're opening a new bank account you may have to wait for your first check to clear. Traveler's checks wouldn't hurt either.
• A copy of your lease and personal ID such as a driver's license. And speaking of banking, if you're starting a new checking account (or applying for utilities service) you'll need proof of your new address too.
• Cleaning materials. Especially paper towels—accidents do happen.
• Light bulbs, a small lamp (perhaps a flashlight). It may be dark when you finally move in. Alarm clock. You don't want to miss your first day at school, right?
• Box cutter. Don't pack this puppy at all! It's the first thing you'll need to open your packages.

Whether you are moving down the street or relocating across the country, the basics of what needs to be done remain largely the same. The following week-by-week breakdown outlines what needs to be done -- and when -- next time you switch digs:

Eight weeks before the move

If hiring a moving van and driver, get written estimates from at least three companies. Contact the Department of Transportation (202-366- 4000 or check out the website) for detailed info on rights, responsibilities, and legal jargon. No denying that it's as boring as the Statistics class you took in college, but it's also need-to-know info!

For do-it-yourself moves, make arrangements for truck rental and moving help. Read: bribe your friends to slug boxes for you in exchange for you buying them pizza afterwards.

Call your insurance agent to see what changes to expect in your policies for changing states. Ask if you'll be covered through your current policy during the move.

If necessary, book flights, car rentals and hotels for the journey to your new city. If you plan to drive to your new home, gather maps and directions.

Create a "move file." Many moving receipts are tax deductible, so hang on to your receipts. Request Publication 521 from the Internal Revenue Service to find out which moving expenses you can deduct (1-800-829-3676 or www.irs.gov/formspubs to download).

Six weeks before the move

Complete a Change of Address Form with the US Post Office. If your new address has yet to be determined, ask the postal service to hold your mail in their office in your new city.

Also remember to change your address with:

• Banks and credit card companies -- tragically, changing zip codes doesn't change the balance owing on your VISA.
• Internal Revenue Service -- taxes are an inevitable part of life. Notify the IRS using Form 8822.
• Past employer -- they will need to know where to send your W2 form.
• Magazines and newspapers -- moving is stressful enough. You certainly don't want to miss a month of "Cosmo" or "Maxim."
• Friends and family -- how else will Great Aunt Mimi know where to mail this Christmas' batch of fruit cake?
• Transfer memberships in gyms and clubs. Can't remember the last time you laced up your sneakers for a workout? If you're moving out of the city, check to see if you're eligible for a refund.

Obtain medical, dental, legal, financial, and optometrist records. Ask doctor and dentist for referrals and transfer prescriptions. Don't forget about Fido's records from the vet.

Five weeks before the move

Take inventory of your belongings, in the event you need to file an insurance claim later. If possible, photograph or videotape your stuff (just keep the videotape tasteful and straightforward -- you can save your Martin Scorsese-aspirations for another film project). Record serial numbers of electronic equipment.

Make a list of things that are valuable and/or sentimental. Plan on shipping these by certified mail or carrying them with you.

Not taking that fur-trimmed lamp shade with you? Start planning a yard sale or donating items to charity (bonus points if you remember to get a donor receipt for income tax purposes).

Check with your local U.S. Department of Agriculture for regulations regarding moving plants from one state to another. If it'll be a hassle, consider retiring your dream of a green thumb and giving your plants away.

Start using up food items so that there is less left to pack and possibly spoil. Challenge yourself to create new meals based on whatever you have on hand.

Four weeks before the move

If packing yourself, start collecting packing supplies (newspaper, bubble wrap, packing tape, scissors, marker) and boxes. Big boxes and small boxes. Tall boxes and short boxes. Lots and lots of boxes. Trust me, you will need far more than you think that you will.

Start packing! Pack seldom used items (i.e. photo albums, knick-knacks, out-of season clothing). Start setting aside items that will be traveling with you (i.e. important documents, valuables, prescriptions) or that should be unloaded first (i.e. toilet paper, cleaning supplies, alarm clock) once you arrive at your new digs. Avoid loading more than 50 pounds into one box -- just because your new job offers extended health benefits doesn't mean you want to wind up at the chiropractor.

If you are moving into or out of an apartment, book the elevator for move day

Schedule disconnection of utility services (i.e. electric, water, gas, phone, cable, Internet) at your old home for the day after you leave, and schedule connection for the day before you arrive.

Three weeks before the move

Clean rugs and clothing and have them wrapped for moving.

Make sure library books have been returned and dry cleaning items have been picked up. Does your neighbor still have your Velvet Revolver CD? Now's the time to ask for it back.

Advertise and host your garage sale. Again, bribing some friends with the offer of free pizza usually works if you need a few sets of hands to help out.

Two weeks before the move

Back up important computer files, and add the disk to the box of stuff that you will be carrying with you.

If moving a significant distance, confirm your flights and travel arrangements. Like you learned back in the Boy / Girl Scouts, it's best to always be prepared.

If driving your car, have your automobile serviced.

One week before the move

Dispose of flammables, corrosives and poisons (i.e. BBQ propane tanks, lawn mower gas, paint). Items considered flammable will not be loaded by the moving crew.

Give a friend or relative your travel route and schedule so you may be reached if needed.

A few days before the move

Check your moving company's payment policies. Make sure you have money on hand to pay the moving company, and enough cash for your travels (read: coffee, diet coke, food, gas, etc).

Close bank accounts and have your funds wired to your new bank. Before closing, be sure there are no outstanding checks or automatic payments that haven't been processed.

Pack your former town's phone book for future correspondence.

1 day before the move

Empty, defrost and clean your refrigerator.

Grab some muffins and fruit for breakfast on move day. While you're out, pick up some soda and juice for the movers. Whether they are hired hands or your friends, they will appreciate the gesture.

Take down curtains and blinds -- yep, the folks in the apartment building across from you will be getting quite the view of you for one night.

On moving day

If you live in a congested area, recruit some friends to park their vehicles one after another in a space close to your home until the truck arrives. The closer the truck can get, the better your chances are of not incurring an additional charge.

Make the job safe and easy for your movers: remove floor mats, clear potted plants from the porch, and disconnect the spring on the screen door so that it stays open during the loading process.

Once the mover arrives, point out the boxes you would like to have unloaded first.

Make sure moving van driver has the correct address, phone number and directions. Jot down any information the driver can provide (i.e. cell phone or pager number).

Take one last sweep of the house before the driver leaves for any hiding places that may have been forgotten (crawl space? shelf of the closet? on top of the fridge?).

So it's been eight months, a year, three and a half, whatever, since you and a certain someone first met over a failed synthesis in chem lab, reached for the same slice of banana cream pie at the dining hall, traded witticisms at your favorite bar, and the fireworks began. You're madly in love, and pretty much spend every night together at one or the other of your pads. You start realizing that you're throwing away a lot of money each month, paying for two separate places. Maybe, just maybe, it's time to shack up. But before you say goodbye to your current roomies and begin perusing the rent ads for that perfect love nest, there are a few things you really should consider…

ready or not…?

There are a multitude of practical reasons why living together might seem like a sensible idea. You and your honey might be in the market for new digs at the same time; your current roommate might decide to move in with his girlfriend, leaving you with a spare room to fill, and a significant other who's willing to do so. Still, choosing to live together should be a decision that's based on something more than pure convenience. It might seem like a monumental hassle to have to do the great roommate search, but it's nowhere near as excruciating as having to continue to share an apartment with a person you've just broken up with, simply because neither of you has anywhere else to go. Seriously, feeling too lazy to interview roommates is not, in and of itself, the strongest basis on which to move your relationship to the next level of commitment. Moving in together is a big, big step in a relationship, and jumping into it before you're both emotionally and psychologically ready is a really fabulous way to sabotage an otherwise promising thing you've got going.

For one thing, sharing house means sharing bills -- and that means becoming financially tied together for the first time. Your sweetie's lavish spending might have seemed romantic back in the days when you were just enjoying all the swanky restaurants and pricey gifts, but when you realize that it sometimes means there's not enough money for little things like, oh, rent, you suddenly find yourself turning into the annoying nag who's always chiding about money.

There's also the privacy factor: when you're living together, neither one of you has an obvious place to go to be alone. No matter how crazy about each other you lovebirds are, there will be times when you want to have the freedom to do your own thing, in your own space, with your own pals, on your own time. And that's totally healthy: the happiest, strongest couples I know are the ones where each half has a solid sense of who he or she is as an individual. If this is your first grown-up relationship, if you've never spent any real time apart from each other, if you've only been dating a few months, you might be so wrapped up in the thrill of couple hood that you forget to allow yourselves to explore outside interests, friendships, and adventures. And while that might feel cozy at the beginning, eventually, one or the other of you is going to start feeling stifled -- all the more so if you're stuck in a cramped one-bedroom apartment where it feels impossible to let out a breath without the other person taking note. It might sound strange, but you sort of need to learn to be alone before you can be really good at being together. Otherwise, you're just begging for real problems in the future. Still, as long as you go into the move with a clear understanding that sharing a roof doesn’t have to mean losing your individual selves, making the transition to living together can make a good relationship even better.

hash it out

Communicating clearly from the very beginning about what you both expect out of the living arrangement is key to making sure that you don't end up wanting to throttle one another six months down the line. First and foremost of the issues that you should lay on the table: money. Will you be splitting all bills 50/50, or will it be based upon your individual incomes? Will one of you choose to take care of the electricity and the water, another the telephone and the gas? What about shopping for groceries, and paying for new furnishings for your digs? Will you maintain separate bank accounts, or set up a joint bank account with which to pay for the apartment expenses? If you're setting up a joint account, how much will you each contribute from your monthly paycheck, and will you discuss things before buying anything using money from the shared account? There's no one right answer for how to deal with the financial situation, but it is absolutely imperative that you come to an agreement that makes you both comfortable.

Making the decision to live together can have some serious implications for the status of your relationship too. Are you on the same page about what living together means in terms of commitment? Is this a step on the way to marriage, or is marriage not something you believe in? Don't get all coy about addressing what living together really means for both of you -- now is NOT the time to worry about whether you're going to freak out your partner if you start talking about a long-term shared future.

See, when you finally do take the plunge and shack up, any final facades have to come down: you see each other exactly as you really are, because it's just way too exhausting to put on your happy-smiley-perfect face 24/7. And that's both the good and the bad of living together. Because if you're still thrilled to wake up next to each other every morning despite the fact that the dirty socks piled on the floor drive you crazy and your detached hairs forming an unintentional new rug grosses him out, then you know. This relationship: it's a keeper.

For first time apartment hunters and old hands alike, checking out potential places can be a daunting task. So much stuff to remember! Well, let RENTNET® make it easier for you—here's a checklist of some things to consider during your apartment hunt:

Terms and Conditions	Unit 1	Unit 2	Unit 3	Unit 4
Date available
Deposit
Pet rules/deposit
Late payment charges
Length of lease
Penalty for breaking lease
Physical changes allowed
Rent amount
Rent due
Subletting
Utilities included
Water
Heat
Garbage
Other
Apartment	Unit 1	Unit 2	Unit 3	Unit 4
Air conditioning
Ample outlets
Bedroom privacy
Blinds/curtains
Cable TV connection
Carpet
Hardwood floors
Closet space
Fireplace
Furniture
Light Fixtures
Natural light
Paint/wall conditions
Patio/balcony
Pet-friendly
Phone jack in each room
Storage
Upstairs/downstairs
View
Patio/balcony
Pet-friendly
Phone jack in each room
Storage
Upstairs/downstairs
View
Water pressure
Kitchen	Unit 1	Unit 2	Unit 3	Unit 4
Age of refrigerator
Counter space
Dishwasher
Garbage disposal
Gas/electric stove
Microwave
Smoothly opening drawers
Community	Unit 1	Unit 2	Unit 3	Unit 4
Laundry facilities
Loud garbage chute nearby
Noise level
Parking
Bike racks
Elevators/stairs proximity
Roof access
Soundproof walls
Mailbox
Safety	Unit 1	Unit 2	Unit 3	Unit 4
Emergency exits
Fire extinguishers
Functioning windows
Gated entrance
Intercom
Lead hazards
Locks on all doors
Outside lighting
Screens
Smoke detectors
Neighborhood	Unit 1	Unit 2	Unit 3	Unit 4
Average community age
Public transportation proximity
Distance from school/work
Proximity of grocery, bank, post office, etc.

While You Are Inside Your Apartment Home

• Lock your doors and windows even when you are at home, being sure to use deadbolts. If you wish to add additional locks, please contact the leasing office for assistance.
• Never sleep with doors or windows unlocked and open.
• Never answer your door unless you know who is on the other side. Be skeptical of anyone who asks to enter your home, even just use the phone. Baron Personnel can easily be identified by a photo ID badge and uniform.
• Be careful to whom you lend your keys. If you have lost or misplaced you key, you may make arrangements with the manager to have your keys changed.
• Keep emergency numbers posted next to every phone.
• Immediately report to the leasing office any needed repairs of locks, latches, doors or windows inside your apartment.
• Check your smoke detector periodically to ensure that it is working.
• Close your blinds at night.
• Mark or engrave personal possession for identification.
• Never leave children alone without appropriate supervision
• Report solicitors to management. Such persons are not permitted in the community unless prior arrangements are made with management.

While You Are Outside Your Apartment Home

• Lock your doors and windows when you are gone, and don't forget the sliding glass door.
• Leave radio playing softly when you are not home.
• Try not to walk alone at night.
• Use a lamp timer to turn on lights when you are not home.
• Do not hide your front door key under the doormat around your front door; it is usually the first place a burglar will look.
• Arrange for your newspaper delivery to be stopped when you are on vacation.
• If you have an entry or alarm code, do not give the code to guests or strangers.
• Do not leave your apartment unlocked, even for a quick errand. Criminals look for this type of opportunity.
• Always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Your Automobile

• Look inside your vehicle before entering.
• Do not leave your car running while unattended.
• Keep your car locked at all times.
• Remove or store valuables out of sight. Do not leave purses, briefcases, golf clubs, packages, cellular phones, personal papers, wallets, gym bags, audio equipment, CD's or sunglasses in view as this increases the chances that your car will become a target.
• Carry your key ring in your hand while walking to your car, whether it is daylight or dark.

The easy way to find apartments these days is to search online. You can check sites such as Realtor.com (yes, they show rentals) or type "your city name apartments" into Google and find quite a few apartment available for rent.

Those are excellent places to start, but do not finish there. The places that advertise the most have to make up their costs somewhere and that somewhere is your rent.

Still, these ads can get you moving in the right direction. Sure, the advertised complex costs a bit too much, but sometimes the one right next door doesn't advertise very much - and costs less per month. So print out that list of addresses and take a look around the area for more apartment complexes.

Location is always important. It doesn't matter that you aren't buying the place, you don't want your spouse to have an excessive drive to work, especially at today's high gas prices. Try to balance the cost of the apartment with the cost of driving places.

Think about which amenities you must have, and what you could live without. A swimming pool in the complex is nice in the summer, but its upkeep is a part of your rent. Laundry rooms on site, on the other hand, mean you don't have to drive to get the laundry done.

Finally, be prepared to look at quite a few complexes before making a decision. New complexes look beautiful, but they can be expensive. On the other hand, older ones may have just been remodeled inside. So long as the maintenance is kept up, old or new complexes can each be quite comfortable.

WHEN TO START LOOKING

Give yourself plenty of time. Finding the right apartment can take a good long while, and remember that ideally, you want your next digs lined up before it's time to clear out of your current space. Two months ahead is not too early.

Or course, timing the apartment search gets a little trickier if you're moving to a new city, as you'll have the whole long-distance thing to contend with. The fuzzy digital photos you might see in an online listing can only tell you so much; even a good picture can be misleading. And it's next to impossible to know where in a city you want to live without actually getting your butt out there and exploring.

If possible, try to schedule a trip to your soon-to-be new home city before your intended move. Spend some quality time actually getting to know a little about your new town before you commit to a one-year lease. Take a couple days (or more if you have the luxury) just to explore different potential neighborhoods, taking note of how convenient it is to work, whether there's decent grocery-shopping and other amenities nearby, and whether you'd feel comfortable walking around the area alone at night. Once you've narrowed down potential areas to focus your search, you can start looking at ads. Ideally, of course, you'll want to be able to view apartments while you're in town. But if there's absolutely no way you can get out there and see a place in person, at least try to see whether you can con a friend or family member in the area into doing some scouting for you. Don't think you know anyone in your future home city? Ask around; it's a small, small, world, and you just might discover that your friend has a friend who can help you out. Even if asking a perfect stranger to check out an apartment for you is just a bit too ballsy, you can at least get a local's opinion on what the general area is like.

how much apartment can you afford?

where to find out what's for rent

So you kinda have a sense of what you're looking for in your new digs, and are ready to begin the hunt. When it comes to actually tracking down apartments that are available for rent, here are a few good places to check out…

Online and newspapers

probably the first places you'll look when you begin your apartment search. Another good resource to check out is your local craigslist.

Brokers

University housing listings

Neighborhood bulletin boards

Ride-through/walk-through

Word of mouth

viewing apartments

The apartment viewing is an interview of sorts -- both for you and for your prospective landlord. Show up on time, and make an effort not to look like too much a slob/freak/miscreant. At the same time, bring a notebook and paper along and take the opportunity to ask the landlord whatever questions you might have. A few things you might want to throw out there: How long is the lease for? Is there the option to renew? Are there any additional housing-associated fees besides the rent that you should know about? (This is especially true if you're moving to another city/country, as I recently discovered when I learned that in addition to the monthly heap I'd have to pay to my landlord in Edinburgh, I'd also be shelling an additional couple hundred per month to cover city taxes.) Are utilities included, and if so, which ones (water, gas, electric)? Does the apartment building have laundry facilities? What's the parking situation? the apartment hunter's essentials

Don't head out without these...

• a notebook and pen

• a good map

• a checkbook (so you can make the deposit if you decide for certain you want the place)

• enough money in your bank account to cover a deposit and first month's rent

• credit report (check out ehow.com's guide on how to do this)

• names of references (if you've never rented an apartment before, get character references and a pay stub/tax return/something that proves you have money coming in)

If a place looks at all like it has potential, take your time to really look it over carefully. Take stock of the closet space; make sure that the door and windows look secure. Peek out the windows and check out the views; note the direction they face to get a sense of how much sunlight they're likely to let in (if the windows all face north, for instance, you will pretty much be living in a cave). Make sure that you aren't situated over a bar or a club or anything else that might result in long, sleepless nights spent cursing the noise. If your viewing is during the day, come back to check out the neighborhood at night. Most of all, think about what this apartment would be like if it were filled with your stuff, and how you'd feel coming home to it everyday.

Unless you're truly one of the blessed, chances are good that you'll see many, many hideously wrong apartments before you finally stumble across your new home. Try not to get too discouraged as you find yourself traipsing through one dingy place after another, and don't let impatience rush you into settling for something you don't genuinely like. Unless it's obvious that you've been thoroughly unrealistic about the sort of apartment you can get on your budget, it's worth it to hold out for a place you're sure you really like.

As for me, I'm realizing that my dreams of settling into a new place to call home are going to take just a wee bit longer than I originally anticipated. The way things look now, I'll be lucky to be nested by October. My birthday's in October, and I think a nice apartment would be a dandy present. Maybe accompanied by a gift certificate for a pedicure, if that's not too much to ask.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT APARTMENT

If you're ready to choose your apartment make sure you consider the size, parking, security, privacy and strata rules of the property.

Whether you buy off-the-plan or find an apartment that already exists, you should consider the physical and social aspects of the block you'll be living in. Here's a list of important factors to consider.

Apartment size

Car parking