Rules for Posting Apartment Ads on Craigslist
An Off-Topic Rant.
A few of these rules apply specifically to the DC area. However, many of them can still be generalized to apply to other cities as well.
1. Don’t post your ad in the “district of columbia” section unless the apartment is in the District of Columbia. I don’t care if the apartment is two centemeters away from the Maryland/DC border. If the address says it’s in Maryland, then it’s in Maryland!
2. “Walking distance from the metro” and “close to the metro” is 8 blocks away or less, maybe a few more only if the blocks are very small. “10 minutes from the metro” refers to walking time, not driving time. “Close to the metro” refers only to the metro rail. It does not count if the apartment is close to a metro bus stop.
3. Always include the street intersection where the apartment is located, if not the full street address. Just posting the street name is not enough information, particularly if the street is long and spans the entire length of the city.
4. If you have a room to rent that includes use of shared living spaces, post in the “rooms / shared” category, not the “apartments / housing” category. Otherwise, everyone who emails you will be disgruntled to find out that you’re not renting out an actual apartment.
5. Always include this information in your post: what laundry facilities are available and what they are like (in other words, is there a washer and dryer in the apartment, a laundry room in the basement, or a laundromat 10 blocks away?), if pets are allowed and what the restrictions are, what utilities are included in the rent and what ones are not, AND
6. Most importantly, when the apartment will be available is essential. Also include if the availability date is flexible or not.
7. Realize that if you do not do 5 and 6 you will be bombarded with phone calls and emails asking those questions.
8. If the apartment is in a managed apartment building, include the name of the building. You might also consider adding the building management company’s website, if there is one.
9. Post pictures. Even if it’s just a screenshot from Google Maps Street View, it helps. If you’re taking photos of the inside of the apartment you might want to make sure it’s clean first.
10. If someone contacts you about the apartment, respond! It’s so frustrating to see the perfect apartment, send an email, and hear nothing back.
Tags: apartment
As a DC native, I know just how key it is to be specific about where you are in relation to the Metro, and the DC border.
Your post made me laugh, and made me miss the Beltway craziness I grew up with. What city are you in?