Before you decide to rent a particular apartment, you should consider the following points:

• Can you realistically afford the expenses involved in renting the apartment? Be sure to include heating, parking, transportation and utility costs in your rent estimate. Is parking provided on the premises or available on the street? Will there be an additional charge for offstreet parking?

• Is it accessible to public transportation?

• Is it accessible to MIT? Are you as close or as far away as you would like?

• Is it accessible to a supermarket?

• Are there laundry facilities in the building? If not, is there a laundromat nearby?

• Is there adequate storage space?

• Are the appliances (stove, oven, refrigerator, etc.) in good working order?

• Are the radiators and heaters in good condition?

• Is there excessive noise from traffic or neighbors?

• If the apartment needs painting will the landowner pay for it? Will he/she provide the labor and materials or materials alone?

• Are there any signs of bugs or rodents?

• Are pets permitted?

• Is there a resident superintendent? If not, find out the name and phone number of the person immediately responsible for maintenance and emergencies. Note that owneroccupied buildings or those with resident superintendents tend to provide more efficient and reliable repair and emergency services.

• Does the building and the apartment appear to be well-maintained and secure from break-ins?

• Are locked mailboxes provided?

• Does the doorbell and/or intercom system work?

• Does the neighborhood appear to be safe? Try to walk around after dark if you can.

• If possible, try to talk to the outgoing tenants about the apartment, their average utility costs, the building, the landowner and the neighborhood. They may be able to provide you with important first-hand information.