Tips for renting in Charlotte: My conversation with a property manager

Below is my interview with a real-life Charlotte property manager. He asked that I don’t use his name since he is kind of shy and doesn’t need as much attention as I do. For the sake of this article let’s call him Wed Tilliams.

What are the most important things to look for when renting an apartment in Charlotte?

WT: Trains are very common in Charlotte and getting more so within the urban fabric. The worst thing about the train is the whistle. If you’re interested in an apartment near a train, make sure you are not next to a grade crossing (where the train intersects with the road at the same level).

A lot of Charlotte apartments also offer amenities. Make sure you’re really going to use these since they will increase your rent. Very often the amenities are to make you feel good about your place when you have people over but are rarely used otherwise. You have to ask yourself, are the amenities worth the extra money?

Is there anything we should always do when touring the actual apartment?

WT: Open the windows and sniff. A lot of apartments have windows facing out onto alleys where they pick up garbage. If you’re too close to the dumpsters, you may have a smell situation on your hands.

Also, ask about appliances. There are products that look like they are stainless steel but are not. Further, if you have a continuously cleaning oven, that does NOT mean it’s a self-cleaning oven. Continuous cleaning has no self-cleaning option so you will continuously be cleaning it.

I’ve never cleaned an oven in my life. Doesn’t turning it on just make it clean?

WT: No.

Oh. Um… so I’ve been hearing a lot about dynamic pricing recently. What is it?

WT: This is new for a lot of new projects. What happens is that as units become available, prices go down. As more interest is being shown and units come off the market, algorithms will automatically start raising the price. A good rule of thumb is to get on the waiting list for a new apartment complex on the first of the month.

What’s the deal with security deposits? What’s the maximum amount of damage I can do to an apartment without getting charged? 

WT: Theoretically, zero. The longer you are there, the more damage will be accepted. Painting is usual but cat urine is not a good thing and could cause you to lose your deposit.

Are there things I can do before I move out to get as much of my security deposit back as possible?

WT: Fill out the form they give you describing the condition of the apartment before you move in. This way you can’t be charged for any problems that existed before you got there.

What’s the most underrated neighborhood in Charlotte? 

WT: That’s a tough one. The area that has a lot of units going up right now is Central Avenue (near the streetcar).

Are rental prices in Charlotte going to keep rising? Or at some point will they stop? Please say yes because I’m poor. 

WT: I think we are coming to a crest in pricing. There are going to be several projects coming on at the same time that will temporarily stop price escalations. However, as more Millennials come to town making money, affordable units will remain elusive close to town.

How do we drive these Millennials out of town?

WT: Stop opening new breweries?