yk

Hi,

We are renting an apartment for the first time (from a rental agency). Do you have a check-list of questions to ask or things to check with the agent/owner when you arrive at an apartment?

I have some basic ideas - such as who to call in case of issues, or how to operate coffee maker/washing machines, or where's the closest supermarket.

Can you share your experiences, esp things that you wish you had asked?

Thanks.

hetismij

Where is the fusebox? Always handy in case one blows. There should be spares by it of course.

Nearest English speaking doctor/dentist/pharmasist/hospital.

Check that the cooker is fairly self explanatory, likewise the microwave - if in doubt ask about them. I once was confronted by an Aga and had no idea how to use it, and no other means of cooking. Eventually (2 days later!) I found the instruction book in a cupboard There was no agent to ask - the key was left under a flower pot.

There will probably be a folder full of information in the apartment, including the above, but it never hurts to ask.

StCirq

Any good rental agency will have extensive instructions for everything, plus recommendations for nearby shops, restaurants, etc.

One thing I'd make sure I knew was how to use any appliances, especially washer-dryer (your first encounter with a European washer-dryer can be terrifying).

HappyTrvlr

Check the appliance instructions and whether or not they are in English. We have had trouble trying to translate French and German directions for washing machines. We finally figured it out but with some frustrationa dn misteps.
Medical/emergency info..English speaking M.D. if possible.

lilaki

hi yk,

congrats on your impending first apt rental! it's hard to go back to hotel-life once you've got an apartment.

in addition to all the tips about appliances etc., i booted my laptop out right away when we first arrived and the owner showed me how to hook up to the internet. very handy since we used the computer a lot during our trip.

we were very lucky, our paris apartment was very thoroughly stocked with everything imagineable ... even laundry detergent!

have fun!

lilaki

anniemackie

If you have a car, ask about parking. Sometimes there's a "free" place that the residents know about. If you are relying on public transportation, don't be afraid to get details regarding recommended routes and exact places to wait for the bus. Sometimes the bus will stop in the most unexpected places...

--Annie

lilaki

oh -- another question: how to dispose of the trash and how to deal with recycling.

Nikki

Once I couldn't find the light switch in the building's corridor. Had to call the owner and ask.

Big_Red

Water heater - If the apartment has not been rented for awhile, some owners turn off the water heater to save electricity.

danon

what to do with keys when leaving ?
often, they are just left in the apt.

yk

Great tips, everyone! Keep them coming!

ParisAmsterdam

Have them lock and unlock the door.

For some reason French locking arrangements seem tricky.

You often need to push or pull on the door. Took me several tries every time we'd come 'home' to our apartment on Ile St Louis. On the other hand, if you have a teenager, let them do it. My daughter got it first time everytime! LOL

Regarding washer dryers... if you get it to work and it runs for about 3 hours... fear not! They take a LOOONG time!

Have fun!

Rob

janisj

Usually most of the items above are explained in a folder or fact sheet in the apartment. So have your list ready and then just tick them off as the agent itemizes things.

StCirq's comment about a washer/dryer or spin dryer is super important. Even IF there are clear instructions, still have the agent go over the options w/ the washer/dryer. More than one holiday has been ruined by a fried or sopping wet wardrobe

And yes, practice using the key (sometimes there are two keys for different locks on the front door) while the agent is still w/ you. Locks can definitely have <i>idiosyncrasies</i>

Knowing trash pick up day(s) is important too . . . .

MademoiselleFifi

Whether all the light fixtures take standard bulbs, and if not, whether there's anything special you need to know about changing them. (I stupidly messed up the bathroom light fixture in a Paris apartment while trying to remove an unusual bulb that I had never seen before).

Bon voyage yk! Looking forward to your trip report.

tedgale

The poor folks who admit you to the apartment are really couriers -- they may have no idea how things work. At best they will offer to contact the owner and ask on your behalf.

They usually seem in a hurry to get away and seldom -- except when I was met by an owner -- had much info on the property itself.

I suggest you transmit some of these questions in advance to the rental agency. Ask for answers now or indicate you will want these questions answered by the person who meets you.

Things they probably CAN normally answer(ie are primed to answer)=
1. what to do with the key
2. where garbage goes
3. where to park.

Beyond that I would not expect much info from the meeter/ greeter/ rent collector.

swisshiker

1. Trash pickup - special bags to put in?
2. Appliances, including A/C if included.
3. Emergency phone #
4. Departure time/date/leave keys?

All these have been mentioned, but they're the top 4 on my apartment rental list.

Also, be sure to know EXACTLY how to get into the apartment, who will meet you and when. I may have mentioned this before, but once we were told to just push # whatever on the keypad. Well, it turns out the keypad wasn't numbered, so we had no idea which button to push. Pretty frustrating start.

When do you leave?

Have a great trip! I look forward to your report, as always!

janisj

tegdale may have been unlucky - or maybe I've been amazingly lucky. I have never once been let into a flat by a courier who doesn't know how to operate things in the apartment. Even when it wasn't the owner, it has been either a cleaner or agent who knew anything/everything that wasn't covered by the printed info in the flat.

yk

I thought I would report back. Thank you again to all of you who answered this thread.

We rented 2 apartments - one in Vienna, one in Budapest. The biggest issue were the washing machines. The owner in Vienna didn't know how to use it (it's brand new and the manual was missing), while the rental agency representative in Budapest also had no clue. It invovled lots of trial and error... we just couldn't get over the fact that each washing cycle can take that long (2-3 hours!), so we ended up using the shortest cycle. Seems like a huge waste of water and energy to me, and I thought the European machines conserve more energy?!?!

The tips about:
where to dispose of garbage/recycling
where is the hallway light switch
Where/when to drop off keys on departure

were all extrememly useful. Another tip I took from you was to practice locking and unlocking the front door and building entry door BEFORE the owner/agent left.