How to know if apartment is illegal?

By Tenant

If you are financially, socially and economically ready to live your own. But you can’t afford to buy a new house yet then settle for an apartment to rent. Be aware though, coz the last thing you ever want to do is to rent an illegal apartment.

How can you tell if the apartment is illegal? Here are some tips you should take note before renting.

  • Know the market. Many landlords would advertise their property for prospective tenants to find. You may have to be extra cautious to these advertisements though most especially if the advertised unit has a price that is significantly lower and cheaper than the normal price of any other apartment in the area.
  • Apartments with small windows or no windows at all must be avoided. Landlords who have illegal apartments sometimes advertise their rental units with the description of “sunny” to entice renters for the small windows. These types of apartments are sometimes basement apartments and cellars.
  • Be careful of the words “basement” and “attic”. Apartments that are advertised with the words “basement” and “attic” are usually those who do not have enough exits.
  • Beware of apartments wherein you cannot receive mail. Landlords who refuse to let the tenants receive their mails in their apartment unit and insist that you get a P.O. Box are actually advertising an illegal rental unit.
  • “Utilities included” is a red flag. Landlord who refuses to change the name on the utility bill to the tenant is actually afraid that the residents may violate the legal occupancy of the building.
  • Beware of no lease/contract apartment. Those landlords who decline to draw and make a lease agreement, requests that the lease must be month-to-month and refuses to accept payments not in cash may have a rental unit that is illegal. Be very suspicious of them.

Edited on: Saturday, March 30th, 2013 1:27 am

15 Responses to “How to know if apartment is illegal?”

My response: (We welcome stories, examples, explanations, answers and a touch of your personality)
 

Francesco

March 30th, 2013 1:40 am

WTF?! I just found out that my apartment is illegal.


Cara

March 30th, 2013 12:00 pm

Do I get a relocation package and the like? My apartment is found out to be illegal.


Floyd

March 30th, 2013 10:00 pm

Landlords really will do everything just to get money from their tenants and would even go down to illegal apartments.


Oswaldo

March 31st, 2013 8:20 am

Illegal apartments should be shut down for life.


Tory

March 31st, 2013 6:20 pm

Will I get to prison if my apartment is illegal? I’m a tenant.


Abraham

April 1st, 2013 4:40 am

@post above me. No. You won’t go to prison


Guillermina

April 1st, 2013 2:40 pm

I’m a landlord but I think my apartment is illegal. I didn’t know you have to get licenses and stuff as I’m only renting out to friends.


Pei

April 2nd, 2013 12:40 am

At above: How stupid can you be?


Ernie

April 2nd, 2013 11:00 am

You are one dumb dude.


Stanford

April 2nd, 2013 9:00 pm

I can’t believe how stupid some people are.


Melia

April 3rd, 2013 7:20 am

Hahaha. Keep it down guys. To answer the “only” landlord here


Kenneth

April 3rd, 2013 5:40 pm

As long as you are taking money


Hermine

April 4th, 2013 4:00 am

What kind of landlord doesn’t know the law?


Michael

April 4th, 2013 2:20 pm

It’s not so much to beware of illegal apts. As long as you don’t know


Abel

April 5th, 2013 1:00 am

Illegal apts are much less expensive than legit ones.


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