Tips for a First-Time Apartment Hunter in NYC

A graduate of Pace University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in business, Ariel Soudry is a real estate professional with over 15 years of experience. Experienced in how the real estate business operates in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and other New York City areas, Ariel Soudry understands the needs of prospective tenants.

Considering that 66 percent of the 8 million people who live in New York City are renters, finding and maintaining an apartment can be a daunting task, especially for first-timers. While the New York housing market is a somewhat competitive one, renters need to figure out the amount of money they wish to spend on an apartment and stick to it. This can be achieved by making a list of the monthly expenses against the salary to know how much a person can afford to pay for an apartment comfortably. It is also worth noting that in NYC, most landlords will require the renter's gross yearly revenue to be at least 40 times more than the monthly rent.

Winter is considered an off-peak for housing as not many people would enjoy moving in the middle of a snowstorm. Prices tend to be much higher during the summer seasons. However, it is during this season that a renter can be able to find a perfect apartment at lower costs.

In New York City, there are tenant protection laws that exist to ensure the safety and security of the tenant. Some of the tenants' rights include; good lighting, adequate security measures, hot and cold water, and when temperatures drop below 55 degrees, tenants are entitled to sufficient heat.