Tips for Apartment Hunting in Richmond, KY
Richmond, KY, is one of the top 5 most growing cities in Kentucky—and it’s a big college town, home of the Eastern Kentucky University Colonels. This amount of new growth, mixed with shifting housing needs across the calendar year, means finding the right rental property can become a unique challenge.
Richmond remains an affordable location for many who work in the Lexington/Fayette County metro, as it is located right off I-75, and apartment living is especially valuable for EKU students looking for an alternative to student housing.
At Diamond Apartments, we’ve been renting to college students and local families across Madison County for over 20 years, which means we’ve learned a few things about how to maximize your chances of success in finding your next home. Here are our top apartment hunting tips in Richmond:
Consider the Location
Almost everything in Richmond is centrally located. Whether you’re in an apartment near the stretch of shopping on the bypass or decide to rent off Exit 90 a little further from campus, you’re hardly more than a 10-minute drive from the basics: Walmart, Meijer, Kroger, a couple of indoor and outdoor malls, and plenty of fast-food choices. However, if you’re a student with a tightly packed schedule, then you might be better off looking at options immediately off of Exit 87 behind Cook-Out or close to downtown. Every second counts if you foresee late-night study sessions in the library or hanging out with on-campus friends in Lower Case.
Anticipate Your Budget vs. On-Campus Housing
It’s not too difficult to find a sub-$1,000/month place to rent in Richmond, with some listings even landing below $800/month. The alternative is on-campus housing, which can be unaffordable, unreliable when it comes to year-round availability, and are seeking greater freedom to choose where you want to live.
On-campus housing, without any financial aid support, is generally more expensive than apartment living, with comparative options totaling $5,050 per semester. Residency is not guaranteed when school is not in session, and rents are typically per bedroom, and that’s not an amount you can split with your roommates like you would with an apartment.
Search Early
Because it’s a college town, apartments for rent near Richmond, KY disappear fast. Students looking for a place start looking as early as March, with most of the best places snatched up before June is over. This is where knowing which apartment owners to trust ahead of the search can help speed up the process. Our locally managed team can make all the difference helping you in finding that special place.
Know What Questions to Ask
The right place doesn’t always boil down to how many bedrooms and bathrooms are inside the unit. When you’re searching for the right apartment near Richmond, KY, or in the greater Madison County area, you should come to your apartment viewing prepared with questions to help you decide. Not all apartment ownership is equal. Some apartments (like ours!) are locally owned by families who have been providing housing to the community for decades, while others are owned by big companies and have less day-to-day contact with the area.
Here are some questions to ask when deciding if an apartment unit is right for you:
- Is there an on-site maintenance team?
- Who manages the apartment?
- What amenities come with the rental unit?
- How long has the owner been renting units in Richmond, KY?
- Do you provide emergency maintenance services?
- How do I get in touch with the unit owners if needed?
When you’re touring an apartment, it’s easy to see what shape the place is in, but these questions about the quality of the service provided are just as important as the building itself. These questions also show that you’re a considerate potential tenant.
- How much is the security deposit, and what conditions affect getting it back?
- What's the typical rent increase at renewal?
- Is renters insurance required, and is there a minimum coverage amount?
- What maintenance is the tenant responsible for versus the landlord (HVAC filters, lightbulbs, pest control, lawn care)?
- How is parking handled, and are guest spots available?
- Are there quiet hours, and how are noise complaints handled?
- What's the policy on personalizing the unit — painting, hanging shelves, mounting a TV?
- How much notice do I need to give when moving out, and what's expected for cleaning?
Find a Locally Managed Apartment near Richmond, KY
Set yourself up for success this year by choosing an apartment you’ll love calling home. Reach out to the team at Diamond Apartments to get started today, or check out our current listings to get a feel for what’s available in Madison County.
