HotPads Daily :: The Official Blog of HotPads.com

Types of Rental Housing

There are many different sizes and types of rental housing available to you.  Now, all you have to do is decide which kind you prefer.

There are many positive and negative aspects associated with each and the type that is right for you depends on your preferences and desires.  To make this process of figuring out what type of building you want to rent, here are some of the benefits and downsides associated with the various rental properties:

Single-Family Houses

Single-family houses are free-standing rental properties that are habited by one person or group of renters. Single-family rental units are very much like owning your own house.

    Positive Aspects:
As you do not share this rental space with any other tenants, single-family homes offer the most amount of privacy.

    Negative Aspects:
Many of the amenities that you may expect from a larger rental unit are not available.

Duplex/Townhouse

    Positive Aspects:
You can expect similar conveniences as with a single-family home when renting a duplex or townhouse.  These rental units offer greater privacy and independence.

    Negative Aspects:
However, like single-family homes, these rental properties may not offer as many amenities as larger rental buildings are able to provide.  Furthermore, you must also consider that you do have neighbors that are closer to you than what would be in a single-family home.

Small Apartment Buildings

    Positive Aspects:
Small apartment buildings offer more amenities (generally) than single family homes or townhouses, while simultaneously providing a living situation that you share with a small number of other tenants.

    Negative Aspects:
You will have more neighbors in a closer proximity than you would if you were renting a single-family home or townhouse.  Furthermore, you may not have access to as many amenities as you would have if you were to rent in a larger rental property.

Medium Apartment Buildings

Positive Aspects:
Medium apartment buildings will often provide many of the amenities expected from large apartment buildings, but shared with fewer people.

    Negative Aspects:
You will have many neighbors that you must consider when living in a medium apartment building. 

Large Apartment Buildings

Large apartment buildings are comprised of numerous rental units and house the largest number of tenants under one roof.

    Positive Aspects:
You can generally expect a greater amount of amenities and luxuries from a larger apartment building than you might from smaller rental properties.  Many have on-site management and 24- hour emergency maintenance, in addition to other amenities like swimming pools, clubhouses, and fitness centers.

    Negative Aspects:
You are surrounded by numerous other tenants and must co-exist with others peacefully.  There will generally be more noise and activity in the building, which occurs naturally with the larger population of tenants.

In general, the smaller the rental unit with the smallest number of tenants the greater privacy and a more independent living situation.  However, many of these smaller units are not able to offer the same variety of amenities provided by the bigger apartment complexes.

Renting with Pets

Many pet-owners have found it hard to find rental housing that allows them to bring along their furry/feathered/scaled friends.

The rules regarding pet-ownership varies from apartment complex to apartment complex.  Even in those rental units that do allow pets, many have  specific regulations about the size and breeds of animals that are allowed, as well.  Make sure to get a clear understanding of the rules pertaining to pet ownership before signing a lease.

Tips for Dog Lovers

If you are considering getting a dog, you may want to browse the list of dog breeds that are best-suited for apartment life. You may find that your favorite breed of dog would be very unsuited for rental life and it is important to know how well a puppy would adapt to your living situation BEFORE you make the commitment. 

Renting in the city?  Here is some good advice from CanisMajor.com that lists breeds that do well in the city, as well as those that do not.

Here are some examples of breeds that are well-suited for apartment life in the city:

• English Bulldog (though Kevin admits to having to carry the 47lb Bozzley up to his 3rd floor apartment)
• Pug (like the official office dog of HotPads.com, Pandora "Dora" Lewis, pictured above!)
• Bichon Frise
• Dachshund
• Keeshond

In general, you should consider getting a small to medium-sized dog (under 40lbs) that requires neither a great deal of exercise nor space.  For the full list, see the Dog Owner's Guide!


Tips for Cat Lovers

Cat lovers often have an easier time renting with pets than dog owners because many landlords do not view feline friends as destructive. 

Nonetheless, a lot of time, money, and effort goes into caring for a cat.  For example, the Human Society provides a list of things needed to care for your cat: The Top Ten Essentials.

(Image on the right is a picture of my college cat, Mohawk, who now lives on the farm of one of my former roommates)

Fish, Iguanas, Snakes, oh my!

Renting with animals that remain in an aquarium or cage also presents various challenges and considerations.  You must make sure that the cage or aquarium is large enough for your pet to live happily and healthily and that you meet their nutritional requirements. 

Furthermore, ensuring that your fish are living in suitable water is essential in providing a healthy home for your pets.  To find out more about caring for your fish, read over the Basics of Fish Care.

Helpful Tips for Renting with Pets

The Humane Society offers numerous resources for those interested in renting an apartment with their pets and those who are looking into getting a pet.
Moving with Pets? Take a look at the Human Society's tips on how to move with pets!

Bran Wilson and Brian Cereal

As Brian Wilson just wasn't made for these times,
cereal boxes just weren't made for plastic grocery bags.

HotPads Goes Tubing

With the beautiful weather we've had here in DC recently, the time was finally right for one of our favorite company activities: tubing down the Potomac River.  For the first time this year, we tore ourselves away from the office long enough to make the hour and a half journey to that sweet spot of the country where Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia converge around Harper's Ferry.

For those who have never had the privilege of going tubing, it's a fairly simple and easy activity:
1:You rent a tube and are driven to the river.

2: You get in your tube.

3: You sit in the tube as you are carried downstream. 

Here's the team (minus Tim and Kevin, who couldn't tear themselves away from the office):

And where would HotPads be without the support of our friends and family?  Up the river without a paddle.