Typical to apply for an apartment without seeing it?

[Anonymous]

We are in the apartment market for the first time in 20+ years. When visiting potential buildings, I have been surprised that the leasing agents are not able to show apartments that are currently occupied. Is this typical? We think that we have found an apartment that we want - but it will not become vacant until days before we would move in, so we aren't able to see the actual unit before submitting an application - and presumably finalizing the lease. We of course have the floor plan and were able to tour other apartments in the building that have the same finishes, but a big part of the appeal for the one that we think we want is the view. We'd also really like to get a close look at the kitchen and bathrooms. Is this just the way things are? I fear that if we don't put in an application somebody else will.

[Anonymous]

If it's in a big building, it's typical.

[Anonymous]

When you're occupying a unit, would you want people coming in to tour it?

[Anonymous]

I would not rent an apartment sight unseen

[Anonymous]

No way

[Anonymous]

We just rented an apartment in DC to tenants site unseen. We had several people making offers for it without seeing it. It happens all the time. If you don’t wanna play the game, then you don’t get the apartment. The two posters above you don’t know shit.

[Anonymous]

My recent college grad and her roommate experienced this when they were apartment hunting. They were never able to view the actual apartment they would be renting. Sometimes they couldn't even see something comparable (e g., could only see a 1 bedroom when they would be renting a 2 BR). I was surprised but it's been 30 years since I was in the apartment rental market and I guess this is how it is now.

[Anonymous]

A friend rented an apartment recently and experienced this as well. They were able to see a video tour of the exact unit though, this was in a decent sized apartment community.

[Anonymous]

Normal. It's an apartment; what do you expect?

[Anonymous]

Normal. I rented an apartment that was empty. signed the papers and then went looking for it.
In an apartment building I toured, they showed me the same two apartments available for viewing at all times. Easier than to coordinate with tenants living in them.
A condo owner had me see their condo when last tenant was still in there. The place was a mess. I know that building and unit well, so I really didn't even care to see it while someone was still in there.

[Anonymous]

This is pretty normal for a big building in this area. For individual landlords, they’re usually able to coordinate with the tenant for some showing times; big buildings don’t really care. They CAN of course do it; a clause is usually in the lease about the notice they must give to a tenant before a showing, but many don’t want to bother. It’s unfortunate.

[Anonymous]

We bought an apartment without seeing it. In tough market you do what needs to get the property.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is pretty normal for a big building in this area. For individual landlords, they’re usually able to coordinate with the tenant for some showing times; big buildings don’t really care. They CAN of course do it; a clause is usually in the lease about the notice they must give to a tenant before a showing, but many don’t want to bother. It’s unfortunate.

Tenants aren't required to clean up or otherwise make the apartment attractive, so it's often to landlords' benefit not to show it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is pretty normal for a big building in this area. For individual landlords, they’re usually able to coordinate with the tenant for some showing times; big buildings don’t really care. They CAN of course do it; a clause is usually in the lease about the notice they must give to a tenant before a showing, but many don’t want to bother. It’s unfortunate.

Tenants aren't required to clean up or otherwise make the apartment attractive, so it's often to landlords' benefit not to show it.

And it’s to the potential tenant’s detriment not to see the actual unit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not rent an apartment sight unseen

But poster has a diagram of the apartment layout & has access to similar units, but is concerned about the view.

In a tight market, apartments are leased slight unseen all the time.

In highly desirable locations, some apartments are rented within hours of being listed.