apt. help...

[jkeisenh]

Originally posted by mark e smith:
 
 Last time I saw a rent control apt go on the market there were 60 people inline for it 2 hours before it was open.

Ummm... I've been in DC 5 years and have had two rent controlled apartments.  You have to call right away, come early (or schedule an earlier appointment) and bring the following to every open house (seriously):
 - name, addy, phone # of last two landlords
 - same for present and previous employer
 - checking account number, bank name, phone
 - id
 - proof of SSN
 - copies of last three check stubs
 - $35 money order (for the application fee you'll have to give)
 - Check book
 
 They don't ask for all of these all the time, but they'll ask for a mix, and may as well keep your bases covered.
 
 Also helps to not have pets.

[Random Citizen]

And maybe have a separate $25 money order to cover the credit check fee, too.
 
 

Originally posted by chimbly sweep:
 

Originally posted by mark e smith:
 [qb] - $35 money order (for the application fee you'll have to give)
 - Check book
  [/b]

[Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer]

Does one have to have a low income to get a rent controlled apartment?

[redsock]

Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
  Does one have to have a low income to get a rent controlled apartment?

Nope. One just has to find a building built before 1975 that has more than five apts. I'm not sure if renovations count towards not being rent controlled anymore. Mostly, one just needs to be lucky. and ready to go...

[thirsty moore]

Don't new leases factor in the equation somewhere?
 
 

Originally posted by redsock:
 Nope. One just has to find a building built before 1975 that has more than five apts. I'm not sure if renovations count towards not being rent controlled anymore. Mostly, one just needs to be lucky. and ready to go...

[godsshoeshine]

my landlord/roommate got a better job and dropped my rent $100. had to score one for the burbs

[redsock]

Originally posted by thirsty moore:
  Don't new leases factor in the equation somewhere?
 
   

Originally posted by redsock:
 Nope. One just has to find a building built before 1975 that has more than five apts. I'm not sure if renovations count towards not being rent controlled anymore. Mostly, one just needs to be lucky. and ready to go...

[/b]

I'm not really sure. I think they might be allowed to raise rent more if it is a new lease, but normally it is less than 2% a year.

[loopzlp]

if renovated, the building can increase new leases to market value (or something like that) but the building still remains rent controlled...
 I've been off lease for a year and haven't had a rent increase

[ratioci nation]

I have never really paid much attention the rent contol issue, but I think most of the places I have lived have been rent controlled, they definitely have been built before 1975 and had more than 5 apartments.  If that is the case, it is really not the hard to get a rent controlled place.

[Random Citizen]

You may also want to check the college/university websites, specifically, they're off-campus housing section. American University has a database, for example.

[Bags]

Originally posted by redsock:
  I'm not really sure. I think they might be allowed to raise rent more if it is a new lease, but normally it is less than 2% a year.

Nope, rent can be raised by 11% a year.  And they are allowed to increase substantially between tenants.  Not sure what y'all are talking about rent control -- it's not like NYC.  If I left my apt today and tried to re-rent it tomorrow, it'd be $300 more.  I've also lived here 10 years and it's not like I'm paying dirt -- it's pretty close to market, about $300 under...

[Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer]

My findings from my renter days are in line with Bags'.
 
 
 

Originally posted by Bagalicious Tangster:
   

Originally posted by redsock:
  I'm not really sure. I think they might be allowed to raise rent more if it is a new lease, but normally it is less than 2% a year.

Nope, rent can be raised by 11% a year.  And they are allowed to increase substantially between tenants.  Not sure what y'all are talking about rent control -- it's not like NYC.  If I left my apt today and tried to re-rent it tomorrow, it'd be $300 more.  I've also lived here 10 years and it's not like I'm paying dirt -- it's pretty close to market, about $300 under... [/b]