SOME LOOSE WORDS ABOUT HOUSES

Amenities: Amenities is a term used to describe all of the “extras” or “bonus” features of a rental property, such as a community center, pool, fitness center, or free cable or internet.

Utilities: Utilities is the general term for the various services or resources provided to residents for a fee. Typical utilities include gas, electric, water/sewer, trash/recycling, cable, internet, and phone. Depending on your lease, some utilities might be included and others might be the renter’s responsibility. Be sure you know what utilities are your responsibility and make arrangements before moving in.

Deposit: Most rental properties charge tenants a deposit to hold the property and to cover the cost of any damages that occur during the lease. The deposit is typically returned at the end of the lease if you have not damaged the property. The rules for deposits can be confusing, so be sure to read the Protecting Your Deposit page!

Sublet: Subletting, or subleasing, is when a renter leaves the apartment before the lease is expired and rents the property to another person. Depending on your lease, subletting may not be allowed, so ask the property manager and check the terms of your lease. Subletting can be risky, so if you will be renting out your apartment to a subletter or will yourself be subletting an apartment, be very careful and talk with the MSU Housing Law Clinic.

You also might encounter abbreviations for words that you don’t recognize – here are some of the commonly used abbreviations in rental property listings:

A/C: Air conditioning or cooling system

W/D: Washer and dryer (laundry facilities)

BR: Bedrooms – this is typically preceded by the number of bedrooms

BA: Bathrooms – this is typically preceded by the number of bathrooms. If there is a “half” bathroom (i.e. 1.5 BA), that means there is a room with a sink and a toilet, but no shower/bathtub.

Apt.: Apartment

BILLS - electricity, gas bills. Are bills included?

ALL MOD CONS

A loft can be an upper storey or attic in a building, directly under the roof. Alternatively, a loft apartment refers to large adaptable open space, often converted for residential use (a converted loft) from some other use, often light industrial. Adding to the confusion, some converted lofts include upper open loft areas.

A penthouse apartment or penthouse is an apartment that is on one of the highest floors of an apartment building. Penthouses are typically differentiated from other apartments by luxury features. The term penthouse originally referred to, and sometimes still does refer to, a separate smaller "house" that was constructed on the roof of an apartment building.

Cellar	Underneath the house.
Cloakroom	A small room where people put their coats.
Conservatory	A greenhouse attached to a house for the display of plants.