How much money is needed to rent the first housing in America
Before you are ready to sign a lease on your first apartment, you need to estimate the cost of the move and save enough money to cover the five types of expenses that need to be paid before or on the day of the move.
1. Homeowner Payments
The landlord will require that you make a payment for the first month plus a security deposit, which is usually equal to the monthly rent, writes My first apartment. You may also be required to pay the last month's rent to provide security for the landlord - so that you don't move out at the end of the term without making the final payment. That is, when you sign a lease, you write a check to the landlord in the amount of payment for two to three months of accommodation.
Use this guide, to assess what kind of rent you can afford if you are receiving annual income, and here it is - if you are paid hourly.
Additionally, your landlord will likely charge you $50 to $100 in various fees, such as a credit check application fee. And all this even before you move into the apartment.
2. Communal payments
Electric, gas and plumbing companies, as well as a cable / Internet company may require security deposits or ask you to pay for the first month of service in advance. Any deposits are usually based on intended use. For example, if you have electric heating, the initial payment will be higher than if you used electricity only for lighting and for working appliances and equipment. When you move, the accounts will be based on actual use. When you leave, you will need to request a return of deposits.
To show how these deposits can work, read an excerpt from a typical Comcast Cable agreement:
“You will be billed monthly for recurring maintenance, equipment, and fees. You have to pay maintenance fees in the first months, XFINITY equipment costs, deposits, activation costs, and installation fees during the day, when any or all services will be installed, or until that day. ”
According to our estimates, utilities will make up approximately 20% of your rent, depending on where you live and what is included in your rent.
3. Relocation costs
Depending on how far you're traveling and how much stuff you have, you may need to rent a van or truck, or even hire a moving company. You may have seen advertisements for moving trucks for as little as $19,95 per day. These rates don't include all the fees you'll pay, so even a quick and relatively low-cost move within a city can cost $100, while an out-of-town move can cost several hundred dollars. Be sure to get an estimate when you order your truck.
4. Furniture for the first time
If you don’t bring furniture, moving will be easier and cheaper, but where will you sleep? The air mattress will come down to the first few nights, but if you have planned and saved correctly, you will be able to order the delivery of the mattress to a new place on the day of the move. Even if you don't have furniture, you probably have bedding that you can use and update later. You will also need at least one lamp, curtains or blinds, a table and a pair of chairs.
5. Stocks and consumables for the first time
On the day you move, you'll need a few supplies, from toilet paper and paper towels to cleaning products. If you drink coffee or tea, you will need a coffee pot or kettle. Your first trip to the supermarket is likely to cost at least 50-100 dollars if you want to stock up on basic products.
IMPORTANT! Rule of thumb: you must save at least 3 times the expected monthly rent before you move.
Here is the target range of savings if you earn 15 dollars per hour or about 30 000 dollars per year:
- Landlord: from $ 1 550 to $ 2 350 = rent of the first month ($ 30 000 / 40 = $ 750), deposit for the first month, rent of the last month plus $ 100 for bids;
- Advance utility payments: $ 150 = 20% rent;
- Moving costs: from $ 100 to $ 500 depending on the distance;
- Furniture: from $ 500 to $ 1 000 = mattress and stuff;
- Stocks: $ 50- $ 100
Target amount: from $ 2 350 to $ 4 100.
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