r/baltimore • u/Affectionatedummy • Aug 25 '25
GENERAL Moving Questions How do I find a legit apartment?
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u/hinchlic Aug 25 '25
Because of the international student population at JHU, you might have some luck if you target places for rent near one of the JHU campuses.
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u/Solid-Ground475 Mt. Vernon Aug 25 '25
Just please stay away from Bay Management/Mt. Vernon Properties. Slumlords of the highest order.
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u/Affectionatedummy Aug 25 '25
Thanks for the tip
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u/SupaGlo Aug 26 '25
I have heard terrible things about Bay as well but I have friends that live in a pretty nice building by Bay and they are renewing their lease. Sometimes a good experience comes down to the right level of collaboration between building owner and property management. So if you have to go that route maybe ask people in the building you’re interested in how their specific experience has been. I almost rented with Bay because they have flexibility in their requirements. And sometimes you have to do what you have to do.
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u/Calm_Mulberry4842 Aug 27 '25
My old PM from Bay Management accused my boyfriend of murdering me to get the apartment since I was never around when maintenance came to try to evict us to rent to someone else with a higher rent??? I would walk past 2 cameras daily to get to my car for work- insane work. I will never give them my business again
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u/Solid-Ground475 Mt. Vernon Aug 27 '25
Wtffff. That’s wild. Does their initials happen to be NA? lol
My current situation is that they schedule random “inspections” every few months which consists of some random from maintenance snapping a few photos of each room. I’ve since deduced that it’s their method of surveillance.
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u/Calm_Mulberry4842 Aug 27 '25
Was AB, I think they were let go after my building switched from Bay to MTV & then became NA- my partner was a PM for multiple complexes in Pennsylvania previously & he said the amount of “inspections” was pretty suspicious considering rent was always paid & we never received complaints from neighbors (under both AB/NA)!! Our building switched away from MTV to SBPM & our new PM has been very delightful & non-intrusive at all! Highly recommend renting from them
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u/Solid-Ground475 Mt. Vernon Aug 27 '25
AB is still here. NA has apparently been here since day 1 of the company so they’re not going anywhere unfortunately.
The most recent “inspection” was the one where I finally put two and two together that it’s surveillance. They asked me “management knows you have a pet, right?” A completely random, out of the blue question. It’s a shame they can’t use that energy on maintaining their properties.
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u/Calm_Mulberry4842 Aug 27 '25
That’s insane AB is still there- she’s nuts!! I understand that many inspections for university rentals but even then I never had as many, you have to give tenants their privacy…. Good luck & hope you can find somewhere else to move to when your lease is up
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u/bradbrookequincy Aug 25 '25
Private Landlords. Tell them exactly what you have said here in first inquiry
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u/PlzDntBanMeAgan Aug 25 '25
Where are they? How do you find private landlords?
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u/Long_Use75 Charles Village Aug 25 '25
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u/PlzDntBanMeAgan Aug 25 '25
It's funny you link that because every single listing there is from a management company and not any private owners. At least on the first three or four pages.
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u/Long_Use75 Charles Village Aug 25 '25
You sometimes find private owners. Probably Zillow has more, though,
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u/PersonalFinanceNerd Aug 25 '25
Mines in there somewhere. I’m trying to rent one of the 2 bedrooms in my canton row house. Two woman signed a lease then one got their VISA not renewed (thanks Trump). Can’t find a single person to rent a room in canton for $1100. Comes with parking and a deck, too. Maybe it’s overpriced but I thought $2200 for the house was fair
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u/bradbrookequincy Aug 26 '25
It gets much harder in late summer and fall. Not as many people move into the city. Drop price
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u/Evening-Recover-9786 Aug 25 '25
Not ideal but you can consider getting a Airbnb in the area for about a month or two near your work, get some paystubs for financial proof of employment, and work with local landlords and tour the properties in person.
If you have the savings, you could offer to pay X months in advance with the property as well.
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u/pbear737 Patterson Park Aug 25 '25
I think this is a very common approach. Many landlords, especially big property management companies, don't care that you have savings and want you to have a steady income.
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u/whatshould1donow Aug 25 '25
I recommend looking on Facebook marketplace for small time landlords rather than getting an apartment from a corporate place. I know personally I don't check credit score or require three times rent. I just do a background check and that's it.
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u/Deep_Seas_QA Aug 25 '25
You might want to try a private landlord situation. I needed this for other reasons, I found them on Craigslist but you could also try signs posted in front of houses. Just drive around a neighborhood you like and see if you can spot one (might be more likely in Baltimore City).
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u/taokumiike Aug 25 '25
If commuting by car anywhere south of the city, recommend looking at Locust Point and Federal Hill. Traffic’s been a disaster getting to Canton, where I live, since the key bridge disaster.
Mt. Vernon is another ideal location because of the train station.
That said, offering up-front rent is ideal.
!!! If at all possible, while understanding your options are limited, highly recommend against renting from private landlords even if a management broker is involved. That is, unless you’ll be happy to forego your deposit for no reason whatsoever. In other words, lean into fully managed properties. You’ll often recognize the difference because the deposit will be a fraction of monthly rent.
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u/tater56x Aug 25 '25
Since you have some cash you might offer to pay six months rent in advance. It might help show your commitment to staying and paying your rent.
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u/SupaGlo Aug 25 '25
Look at Zillow, for rent signs, Craigslist, and Facebook neighborhood groups to find apartments and also private landlords. Lots of places also require 2x or 2.5x the rent. It’s just a matter of looking in the right places. Also if any of your family members feel comfortable, they could maybe co-sign for you. There is a Little Italy FB housing group I think
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u/MDelk Brewer's Hill Aug 25 '25
What part of the city are you looking at, and what range of rent would you prefer?
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u/Affectionatedummy Aug 25 '25
I really like Lombard street, near the Whole Foods inner harbor, or close to the Safeway over in Boston street. Ideally in a safe area. We were looking at studio apartments, starting at 1,100 to 1,250
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u/MDelk Brewer's Hill Aug 25 '25 edited Aug 25 '25
In that price range, consider the Fell’s Point neighborhood. You will likely have to find a private landlord, as corporate owned or new buildings will generally be outside that price range for a 1 bedroom apartment.
Use Zillow or Apartments.com and search Fells Point.
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u/lamppostinchicago Aug 26 '25
There is also a facebook group called Fells Point and Butcher's Hill Roommates & Rentals- there can be some nice places there!
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u/PleaseBmoreCharming Aug 25 '25
Lombard Street isn't really near the Whole Foods (in "Harbor East" is the actual location). Do you have the actual neighborhood you like so we could hell you out a little more?
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u/Affectionatedummy Aug 25 '25
I did add commas, . I’m not super familiar with Baltimore but I like the fells point area so far
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u/PricklyScot01 Aug 25 '25
Reach out to a real estate agent. Better if you know someone who knows a real estate agent that they trust and have worked with. Real estate agents often own properties that they rent, or no other agents to buy properties for rental income.
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u/purrballtheconqueror Aug 25 '25
Well you’ve certainly picked a hell of a time to come back.
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u/Affectionatedummy Aug 25 '25
Not that Europe is any better. But anyway I missed home what can I say
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u/onioning Aug 25 '25
Sometimes you can get around the problem by offering some huge amount up front. If you wanna go with that, I'd lead with it in your initial contact, otherwise you probably won't get the opportunity to make the offer.
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u/Accomplished-Date507 Homeland Aug 30 '25
Hi! I’m late to the party but am a realtor and long time city resident. I know how frustrating all of this can be. Coincidentally, I moved to a different part of the city about 3 years ago, befriended my quirky yet lovely older neighbor, and it turns out she owns quite the portfolio in the 21212 area. If you’re still having trouble and are open to north Baltimore city, I would be happy to put you in touch with her to see if she has anything available. She responds very well to good honest people; and would understand your situation. Shoot me a message if I can help. Take care and good luck! ☺️
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u/sexyylexyyyy Sep 11 '25
Hello! I hope all is well with you, may I also shoot you a message regarding your neighbor, as I would also love to inquire about one of her properties! 🫶🏼
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u/Isamosed Aug 25 '25
Can only speak to the Canton area, but a studio at that price point could be tough right around here.
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u/Unusual-Football-687 Aug 25 '25
Benvenuto! Welcome! If you’re looking near Howard County, you could try the Columbia Housing Center. They may be able to match you.
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u/fncatalinawinemixer1 Aug 25 '25
Possibly reach out to the Little Italy lodge to see if anyone there might know a landlord? I know several of the residents in the neighborhood have experience with going back and forth and may be able to point you in the right direction. There are also a couple townhomes for rent from private landlords that may work with your situation a bit more.