My friend and I are young first-time renters with a 0 a month rent budget, and haven't been able to find an apartment complex that fully suits our needs (there are all either in bad areas, have bad management, or don't include the amenities we require)
Amenities:
w/d hook up
refrigerator/stove
a/c
2bd/1ba
One good thing about a complex is that they usually have a dedicated handy man. Private landlords are notorious for not fixing things. Mostly because they don't always have the money.
Complexes can have bad management as well, as you stated.
There really is no way to say one is definitely better than the other.
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Everything else equal, there really is no difference between a complex or a private landlord.
Just remember, as a general rule if you are renting from a private landlord, you will probably not have the same amenities as a complex.
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Well there are pros and cons about both. Usually apartment complexes check your credit. Landlords can sometimes work with you better if you might be having problems with something.
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You don't say where you are located and your local rental market may be different from mine, but there are pluses and minuses to both sides.
Since you are first-time renters, you have no rental history to offer as proof that you will be good tenants. Do you have someone who could be a guarantor or co-signer? If so, then you may do better in an apartment complex, but you say you haven't seen any that meet your needs.
In my area, $700 for a 2 bdrm apartment is not going to give you many choices. In addition, you will have to show proof of income/employment. Most places here require a combined household monthly gross income equal to at least 3X the monthly rent. Since apartment complexes are usually owned by a company, they must require the same qualification standards of all applicants, so it is harder to get them to make exceptions.
A private owner can make up their own rules to a great extent. But many private owners will only have 1 or 2 properties, so you may have to look long and hard to find one that is workable. You might want to check on CraigsList, but be aware that more and more people are reporting scams through listings on CraigsList.
Also, what sort of "amenities" do you require? You may have to adjust your expectations.
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