There is no doubt about it; expenses associated with apartments for rent are the biggest consumer of monthly budgets. Rent, utility bills, insurance, parking…these charges add up fast and for many renters can become overwhelming and ruin financial independence.

Living paycheck to paycheck in order to reside in the housing of your choice just seems wrong, and we want you to know there is something you can do about it. Below we lay out five easy ways to budget smart that get renters the most of their apartments for rent.

Easy Ways to Save Money When Leasing Apartments For Rent

You don’t need to cut coupons to see your rental expenses go down each month. Below we lay out our five favorite, and absurdly easy, ways to save money on apartments for rent.

Seek Out Specials and Incentives

Whether the end of the year, or beginning of summer, there are always certain times of year when apartment communities begin rolling out sales incentives and rental specials. From free application fees to free months rent, no matter the “special” if you look at that from annual perspective it becomes real costs savings.

To take advantage of these deals make sure to do your research and call around. Most apartment markets are pretty competitive, so there will always be rentals that want to make it most advantageous to move-in.

Negotiate with Longer Lease Terms

Owners and property managers don’t usually go around throwing out free or reduced rent, so if you want to save some money where it counts you need to get negotiating. While most rental charges are pretty set in stone, there is a way renters can score themselves a lower monthly rate.  How? Longer lease terms.

Instead of signing a traditional 12-month rental lease, why not offer to lock yourself into a longer term? Here are two things to know about owners of apartments for rent: (1) they want to keep good tenants in their apartments for as long as they can and (2) they know how much money it costs them every time someone moves out.

It would behoove them to have a renter stay longer, so offer it to them. If you sign an 18- or 24-month lease, how much can they lower the monthly rent? You will be surprised with the annual savings you can realize from this tactic,

Split Costs with a Roommate

Living with one or more roommates is absolutely one of the best, and easiest, ways to save money on apartments for rent. Not only are you splitting the rent in half, or by three or four, you also split other monthly obligations. From utilities to grocery costs, when financial obligations are shared amongst multiple individuals it lifts a huge expense burden.

Either you can enter into a rental lease with a roommate, or later decide you want one and sublet a room out. Obviously this depends on your lease agreement and landlord, but the rental process is just as easy alone or with numerous individuals.

Get Energy Efficient

Lower energy consumption means lower utility bills. In addition to splitting bills between roommates, renters can experience serious annual savings by simply being a little smarter and a little more “green”.

Small changes can have big impact. Here are our favorite energy efficient tips that produce the greatest cost savings:

·      Off, Off, Off: Get in the habit of turning off lights, fans and unnecessary electronics when you leave a room. Turn the thermostat up (summer) or down (winter) when you leave the house

·      Save it For Later: It’s a known fact that many utility companies charge higher rates during the day, when energy usage hits peak levels. This means do your more energy consuming chores at night, like laundry (washer and dryer) and running the dishwasher.

·      Use the Right Bulbs: Yes, small energy-saving light bulbs can make a big difference in reducing energy costs. No only do fluorescent bulbs consume 75% less energy, they last up to 10x longer.

Trade Work for Rent

A lesser-known way to save money each month on apartment costs is to trade work for rent. While this money saving tip won’t work for all apartments for rent (think apartment communities or property management firms), it can work for some.

Private owners with smaller- to mid-sized rental property portfolios will probably be open ears to this concept. If you are handy and can paint or fix things, then you are a financial asset to your landlord. Instead of shelling out big bucks for a third party contractor to come in, if you see something that needs fixing in your unit, or others in your building, offer to repair it for a reduction in your monthly rent.

Seeking Affordable Apartments For Rent in Hattiesburg?

If you are on a tight budget and seeking affordable apartments for rent in Hattiesburg, MS and surrounding areas then you have come to the right place! With over 37 years in the local apartment market we have access to the most listings, at the most affordable prices, in the area. Start searching today by visiting: http://apartmentshattiesburg.com/.