Apartment Hunting

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The students of the International Institute of Boston's Level 3 ESOL class would like to share with you some helpful hints when looking for a new apartment in the Boston area.

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Apartment Advertisement Abbreviations

Questions to ask when you are looking at an apartment

Students describe the homes they want

Tips on what you should do before you sign a lease

Helpful Legal Terms

Planning Your Move

Links to Internet Sites on Apartments

Does this apartment have parking?

How old is the house/building?

For how long is the lease?

Does this apartment have air conditioning?

Is the heat gas or oil?

Are the utilities included in the rent?

How much does this apartment cost?

Do we have to pay a security deposit?

Do I need to pay for parking? How much is it?

Is it a good neighborhood?

Can we use the basement?

Is there storage?

How much is the electricity here?

How much does it cost to heat this apartment?

Do I need to pay a key deposit?

Are there roaches or mice in this apartment?

Can I have pets?

Are there schools near this apartment?

My house must have 3 bedrooms. My house must be near public transportation. My house must be near a school. My house must be near the playground. My house must be quiet. My house must have a garden. My house must be sunny. My house must be near work. My house must be near the YMCA. My house must be near the library.

by Jadranka Cobanovic

My apartment must be in a quiet area. My apartment must have security 24 hours a day. My apartment must be on the second floor. My apartment must be near shops. My apartment must be near a high school. My apartment must have utilities included. My apartment must be cheap. My apartment must have one good light. My apartment must have two bedrooms, a living room and a kitchen. The stove must use gas.

by Pavle Medunic

My apartment must be comfortable. I must have air conditioning. Apartment must have 3 bedrooms. My apartment must be clean. I must have garden, because my wife likes flowers. My apartment must be near public transportation. My apartment must have good heat. My apartment must be near school because I have children. I must have a parking place.

You should check the water pressure and hot water.

You should check if the toilet is working.

You should check the furniture.

You should check the lights, walls and locks.

You should check if the stove is working.

You should check the emergency exits.

You should check the heat and the fire alarms.

You should not give the landlord any money before you sign.

You should not give any money to the landlord until you are sure you want the apartment.

You should check the electrical meter.

You should know how much you will pay in utilities.

You should know how much you will pre-pay.

You should check the apartment then talk to the landlord about any problems. He should write problems on the lease.

You should check with the landlord about subletting, if he allows subletting.

You should know the landlord 's address and phone number.

You should know the telephone number and address of a repairperson.

You should talk with the neighbors about the competency and reputation of the landlord.

Helpful Legal Terms

Definitions provided by Patria Brea, Petar Cobanovic and Pavle Medunic.

Planning Your Move

You need to call your old landlord and tell him the date you will move.

You need to go to the post office to take a change of address form.

You need to call your company, friends, bank and other places to give your new address.

You need to change your phone number.

You need to call the company electricity, gas, water and telephone have install your new apartment.

You need to pack everything.

You need rent a truck for the move or you need to hire a moving company.

You need find some friends to help you.

You need to clean the new apartment, before you move.

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Links to Internet Sites on Apartments

As a special project, the following students came during their one-week vacation to explore the Internet for helpful sites on apartment hunting in and around Boston.

Ines Andrade, Pavle Medunic, Emilia Obando and Dong-Jin Won

http://www.allapartments.com/

http://www.rent.net/ads/phoenix/bostonma.html

http://www.bostonapartments.com/

http://www.dwellingsma.com/

http://www.bostonglobe.com/

http://tenant.net/Other_Areas/Massachusetts/

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