So we submit our application and pay our deposit. The next thing we know the leasing agent has contacted us and tells us that our application has been denied. And the leasing agents never know exactly why this is the case. However, it usually boils down to a view items.

A) Apartment will generally want you to make between 3 and 3.5 times the monthly rent. So in other words if you apartment costs $1000 per month, they will require you to make between $3000 and and $3500 per month. Some of you may ask what if you are self employed or just started a new job.

You can have the piece of mind that you can show your apartment home your bank statements. If you just started a new job, then all you need is a letter from your employer stating what you will be making. Downtown Apartments Houston cost the most in the city. So if you move a little further out you may find a lower price at which you can qualify.

B) Do you have a felony or criminal background. This will get you denied very quickly.  We recommend leasing a private home or apartment. The owner will be less likely to automatically deny you, especially if you can prove your income.  If you must live in an apartment there are those around town that will accept you. There are some Galleria Houston apartments that will accept people with criminal backgrounds.

C) Did you break your lease? This means you left early and did not fullfill the terms of your agreement. If you have a broken lease you will want to fix this before you apply again.

Apartment locators in Texas are usually paid by the apartment communities themselves.  The majority of apartment communities usually pay between 60-90 days.  Many properties want to make sure all the clients pay at least 2 months of full rent before the apartment community will pay the locator’s a commission.

Sometimes we run into problems getting the referral fee from the properties. But for the most part everybody who says they will pay do in fact pay.

There are a few companies that will force you to sue them before they will pay you. Unfortunately, you must pay a $95 dollar court fee to serve them.  Mikob and CNC Investments are notorious for non-payment.  They will only pay when the are served. Suing is the only way to get paid 100% of the time.

Although we never recommend these properties to our customers, sometimes our customers will use our company as a referral.  Some of the commissions on these properties are so inexpensive that is not even worth the paper it is written on to invoice the property.

Most likely the property manager will trash the invoice. Then we must fax, email, and any other technique to get the invoice in the hands of accounts payable.

We would rather work with communities like Platinum Westside apartments in Katy or The Park on Memorial apartments.  They are much more grateful for our services and will respond to us in kind.

From time to time we discuss ways to save energy costs in your apartment home. One of the biggest ways to save money on energy costs is actually before you move in. If you live in a hot weather environment your costs may go through the roof.  There are a couple things you can do before you even set foot inside your apartment home.

1) As everyone probably knows the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Make sure you choose an apartment home where your windows actually face north and south. Some apartment homes have windows that face east and west. Those windows will receive some serious heat in the hot afternoons.  So choose your apartment home carefully. Make sure you tell your leasing agent as they probably will have no ideal what you are talking about.

2) Remember that heat rises. I have worked at an office building and was located on the top floor.  We were located just below the roof and the 4th floor was remarkably hotter than the second and first floors. So don’t choose the top floor at your apartment building if you can help it. Some renters have concerns that a noisy neighbor just above you can be very problematic. So make sure you choose your apartment community carefully.

3) Is your apartment home “green”. Make sure you do you research as “green” apartment living is much more economical.  Texas is extremely hot in the afternoons so choose your next Austin apartments and Dallas apartments carefully.

Many of our customers are extremely concerned with the security at an apartment community.  They state we want a safe place.

Depending on what part of town you live in and the apartment owners and management crime can vary from one apartment community to the other. In fact sometimes apartments that are located right across the street from one another have crime rates that are polar opposites.

The Houston Police Department is the best place to check for Houston Crime Stats.  You can retrieve data that will even pertain to certain addresses. This may help you make a better decision regarding where you should live. Don’t trust apartment ratings at this website is filled with data that cannot be trusted. People will make assumptions about a blog post or a few negative sentences that are written by an anonymous writer.

When you are searching for a new apartmet home there are a few things you should look out for.

1. Does the apartment community have gated access?

2. Does the apartment community have gate codes or is each resident provided with a key fob?

3. Is there a gate attendant at the entrance of the property?

If the property is unsecured and anyone can enter and leave you might want to put this community on the bottom of your list. The more restrictions you are required to possess are a great indication of a community that appears to be safe.

Remember to ask the community manager and leasing agents several questions regarding the safety and security on the premises.

Please read more about The Milan Apartments and San Brisas Apartments