Even In A "Cheap" Rental, Make Sure You Look For These Features

If you're on a really tight budget, finding a cheap apartment or house for rent can really simplify your financial life and leave a bit more wiggle room for other essentials. You can do without that extra bedroom, fancy carpeting, and stainless steel stove if it means paying less for rent. However, there are a few features you should be very careful to check for, especially in a cheap apartment, since doing without them can be terribly inconvenient or even dangerous.

A fire exit.

In most municipalities, all apartments are required to have at least two entrances/exits so that you can escape from a fire if the main exit is blocked. However, when you're looking at the cheapest apartments in an area, you're likely to come across some attic and basement spaces that may not be up to code. Whenever you look at an apartment, make sure there's a second exit – whether that be a large window, a fire escape, or a second door.

Convenient parking.

Many of the cheapest apartments won't come with off-street parking. That's okay – as long as there is street parking available within a reasonable distance. You don't want to move in and find out that there's never any parking spots closer than two miles away! Try visiting any apartment you're considering renting in the evening when you'd normally get home from work and ensure there is an abundance of parking spots to choose from.

Good security and locks.

The cheapest apartments are not always in the best neighborhoods. Renting a home in a neighborhood where there are several shootings a week is never advised, but even in a middle-of-the-road community, it's important to ensure you have good security. Check for a deadbolt on the front door. Make sure the windows lock. It's also a good idea to ask the landlord to change the locks before you move in, even if you have to pay a small fee for this service. This way, you know nobody who the old renters gave a key to is going to come inside.

Safe electrical systems.

A lot of fires are started by bad wiring. So when you visit an apartment, make it a point to turn on lights in each room. Watch for any flickering and listen for any strange clicking or buzzing sounds. These are signs that the electrical system may not be safe – and you should probably find a different apartment.