When you've found a building that you hope will be suitable as your first apartment, you'll want to find out the amount of rent you'd be required to pay and evaluate when this amount would suit your budget. It's important, however, that you don't get exclusively focused on the cost of the rent, as there can be other costs associated with renting your first apartment. Talk to your rental agent and inquire about each of the other expenses that tenants must pay. When you know each of these amounts, you'll be able to make a better assessment as to whether you can afford the apartment or whether you should continue hunting. Here are some potential additional expenses to verify.

Parking

Many apartments include one parking space with the cost of rent. However, there can be a wide range of additional factors that are useful to keep in mind. For example, some apartments may provide outdoor parking at no extra charge, but there may be a small additional surcharge each month if you'd rather have a parking space in a covered parking structure. This can be handy if you live in a snowy climate, as you won't have to scrape your car off when it snows. Additionally, if you have two vehicles and require two parking spots, you'll want to find out how much this will cost you.

Athletic Facilities

Apartments will often have some form of athletic facilities, including a workout center and a swimming pool. Some properties give residents full access to these facilities at no additional charge, while others require tenants to pay a monthly membership fee. If you envision yourself using these facilities, it's especially important to confirm the pricing arrangement so that there are no surprises after you become a tenant.

Non-Included Services

You can find a wide range of pricing scenarios when you rent an apartment for the first time. In some buildings, your water is included in the rent, but your electricity is not. In other buildings, neither of these services is included. Some buildings allow residents to have a laundry machine in their unit, while in other scenarios, residents will need to pay to use the machines in the basement. It's important to talk to the rental agent so that you can have a clear picture of exactly what is included in your rent. You'll then be able to factor in each of your other monthly expenses to help determine if the apartment is the right one for you.

Talk to an apartment rental company for more information.