Why is it so hard to find an affordable family rental?

Submitted by No-Sun8788 t3_z5qpg0 in newhaven

Its more of a rhetorical question.We were relocated here right before interest rates hiked, and are now 2 adults and one adult-sized teen stuffed into a one-bedroom for the time being. I'm really just posting here to complain, because we just lost out on yet another place that wanted first and last and a security deposit nearly the same.

If anyone has a lead on a place where two well employed adults can live with their kid and our very boring dogs DM me.

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catsmash t1_ixxu4uv wrote

thank god new haven has countless sudden "market rate" luxury apartment complexes absolutely no one can afford!

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No-Sun8788 OP t1_ixxu86j wrote

omg tell me about it. Who are these built for.

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Ambartenen t1_ixyfikx wrote

Chinese grad students at Yale.

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ComedianGreen7496 t1_ixyprw7 wrote

Any Yale student

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Ambartenen t1_ixyukat wrote

Not really. It’s specifically the Chinese grad students.

Around half of all yale undergrads are on full scholarship. Yeah there are your normal rich entitled fucks, but it doesn’t compare to the ultra wealthy Chinese grad students. This is a well known and discussed topic.

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maddisser101 t1_ixzre9m wrote

I think like 6-9% of UConn is international students now or something like that. They keep raising the fees for these types of undergrads and they don’t get a cent of aid either. That brings in soooo much revenue.

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No-Sun8788 OP t1_ixz4ufp wrote

That similar to where we moved from, a lot of very rich middle eastern oil and gas students bought up the luxury housing.

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raptoryzb t1_iy326yz wrote

I was wondering who was able to afford these apartments. I'm like, "damn am I really that poor in my own damn city?"

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MattFantastic t1_ixz488i wrote

This is a real dumb take. How many grad students do you think there are? Literally thousands of new units are coming onto the market every year. I can’t tell if you’re mildly racist or just full of shit trying to pretend you know things, but try to think before you just make shit up to fit whatever agenda you have.

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Ambartenen t1_ixzjzjm wrote

These apartments are being built with the Chinese grad student market very specifically in mind. Chinese grad students in the US provide 2 billion in fees alone to universities, and spend money unlike any other demographic. They are sponsored by the Chinese government and personal wealth and are free to spend insane sums of money at zero personal risk/loss.

Me relaying a fact does not make me racist. This is just one more evil of capitalism.

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SustainableNHV t1_iy3ry8w wrote

It can be frustrating when people argue against something you're not saying.

If I may reinterpret what I think you're saying, it sounds like downtown New Haven is being gentrified above the standards of the local middle-class population by wealthy foreigners, specifically students from wealthy families in China. Meanwhile, the big developers in town are actively catering to this trend, because Capitalism is gonna capitalize.

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Ambartenen t1_iy3sef8 wrote

Exactly! I said it poorly. Thank you!

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Ko_Jones t1_ixzvx76 wrote

The chinese government is currently doing a very good job of state-backed -capitalist espionage in this country. It’s amazing how efficient coorporate spying is when it’s backed by a government.

These sponsored students are the next wave of how communist China is fighting the war against the west … by the eventual stealing of trade secrets . Foreigners blend in perfectly in the tech sector and at universities so 🤷🏼 Westerners could never get away with it even if our government was to try and do the same type of state sanctioned espionage, we are at a severe disadvantage .

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MattFantastic t1_iy1mx66 wrote

Without even getting into the rest of it, there is zero possibility that these literal thousands of new apartments are all being built “very specifically” for Chinese grad students at Yale. How is this even an argument you’re trying to stick to? No, developers aren’t just putting up thousands of new apartment units across a bunch of buildings for the maybe 1000 Chinese students at Yale. Are they a factor? Sure. But come on, the numbers don’t even come close to supporting what you’re saying.

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princess-guard t1_ixzfqlg wrote

There are better ways to discuss foreign student population coming in than “all the Chinese students are taking over.” it’s xenophobic and there are better ways of tackling the housing crisis that does not involve blaming a specific race.

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catsmash t1_iy02j08 wrote

i do really cringe whenever this topic comes up simply because it CAN get very racist very fast, but the fact of the matter is that this is a thing that is happening. it's not about "chinese people", it's about a very specific thing that is happening within a very specific class group coming to US colleges from a very specific country.

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EscapeFromTexas t1_ixzzj6d wrote

Fair but when the ads are exclusively in Chinese it’s not a racist observation as much as stating facts.

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throwaway00677 t1_iy0hcej wrote

It’s all about NIMBY. Only expensive housing gets built. Cheap housing? NIMBY!!! Most Americans don’t wanna live around “poor” people which is code for black. Your own racism is keeping you a wage slave. Downvote me all day I’m just telling them truth.

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catsmash t1_iy0m8jy wrote

i certainly wasn't going to downvote this, what's with that assumption?

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throwaway00677 t1_iy0veu6 wrote

Not you personally I meant the sub in general. Most Americans are apathetic about the government taking ever increasing amounts of money and freedom from them. But when it comes to this one thing, Americans get very angry; they start to organize against any efforts to build low cost housing in their neighborhood. Look at the zoning laws and building codes. You can’t live in a trailer even if you own the land. Starter homes have effectively been outlawed by the zoning laws and building codes. Most Americans want it to stay this way.

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SovietRaptor t1_iy1y38d wrote

They are the most profitable thing to build at the moment. Just don’t ask what they will look like in 30 years.

Don’t worry! Eventually if all the apartments are high quality, the price will eventually drop enough that some low income people can afford them.

What you don’t trust entirely trickle down, supply side economics to help poor people? Don’t tell me you don’t have a shrine to Reagan in your house!

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brewski t1_ixyvpix wrote

Sorry to say it, but those two "very boring dogs" are severely limiting your options. I don't have hard days to back this up, but I would presume that much fewer than half of rentals allow dogs. Two dogs even less so. That's why you're finding it difficult.

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princess-guard t1_ixyxw6s wrote

I’ve never had a hard time renting with pets.

Eta not to say it isn’t hard, but it’s not impossible. The properties available drop, but if you can afford pet deposit / rent it doesn’t have to be an issue

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Songolo t1_ixz0osf wrote

Good for you.
More than half of the listings are "no pets", and then there are the no dogs, small-dogs only and "send me a picture of your cat I'll think about it".

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princess-guard t1_ixz0vpc wrote

It’s worth mentioning that we used a paid application to apply to multiple Zillow listings. It was affordable in January, I’m sure it’ll go up next yr.

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No-Sun8788 OP t1_ixz506u wrote

Honestly its not the dogs, we've found tons of properties that are OK with them. One is 7 lbs and the other is a senior lab that sleeps all day. Even 'no pet' rentals have made exceptions, but we're getting sniped.

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vertigounconscious t1_ixzwvx5 wrote

you're getting sniped because when a landlord has to pick between two very nice families trying to rent their property, and one family doesn't have dogs, they win. Doesn't matter what you're being told, it's just something working against you. People will tell you what you want to hear after the fact.

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No-Sun8788 OP t1_iy0ndxv wrote

Oh well, I guess that will happen again, because I'm not going to get rid of my dogs. I am aware that they complicate things.

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vertigounconscious t1_iy0vprd wrote

I don't think anyone expects you to get rid of your dogs but I think trying to get places that are desirable/new/in certain areas is a longshot and for you to say 'it's not the dogs' is just not going to help you

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catsmash t1_iy43kdb wrote

conversely, do you think it IS especially helpful to keep hammering it on OP that they're having difficulty because of the dogs? like yeah, no kidding dude. what's OP supposed to do about that exactly?

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vertigounconscious t1_iy4ijgx wrote

OP came to the internet completely unaware of why OP is unable to score apartments in a highly competitive market. More so, they did it 'just to complain' so, at best, the post is asinine anyway, given that this person is complaining on the internet and you're expecting the internet to coddle them and sympathize. They aren't even looking for help, according to their post, saying it's 'rhetorical'. Then to have you white knight for them, when again, at best this post is asinine and I would even label this person as insanely foolish to be renting small apartments, in a metropolitan area that is more competitive than average, and to have two dogs - that need outdoor, open spaces - and expect anything more than what they're getting here - which is a minor brow beating to this point. So if they're here for rhetoric, and complaining, then you're going to get equal amounts on both sides. The internet doesn't exist just to tell people what they want to hear. Don't be naive.

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No-Sun8788 OP t1_iy0yna7 wrote

ah. I already understand that having pets limits my rental choices. Fortunately I am not looking for new, trendy, or good schools. Just affordable for a year or so while we wait to shop for a more permanent solution.

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chemtiger8 t1_iy3bdwy wrote

It’s not even the “new” and “trendy” apartments with pet limitations, unfortunately. From my observations (maybe other people have more evidence or know the justification behind it), it seems landlords in the New Haven area are just really against pets. Like really against pets. I am told that my previous landlord tried to evict a tenant for having an unauthorized cat.

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EscapeFromTexas t1_iy6xfkt wrote

Honestly if you look at their target rental pool (college kids) I can understand a blanket pet ban.

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thepianoman456 t1_ixyh4r5 wrote

That sucks. My GF and I were also just forced out of our rental cause someone bought it and wanted our floor. Lived in NHV for 14 years, now I’m in West Haven. It’s not too bad here, you might find something affordable, and lots of WH has direct access to NHV.

Check Zillow and Craigslist and all those sites.

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ComedianGreen7496 t1_ixypu6j wrote

someone bought it Yale bought it

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thepianoman456 t1_iy00krz wrote

Na not this time actually. I was in Edgewood on Pendleton St (the shitty side) and it was just a young Jewish man that bought it to live in it and rent it. Definitely no Yalies in my hood lol

I’m just still pretty sour that my GF and I were kicked out… we really liked the apartment. And we went from having 1200sqft to having 650 sqft :(

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catsmash t1_iy41jce wrote

why'd he kick you out if he's gonna keep renting it? that sucks.

edit: my reading comprehension also sucks, evidently! just noticed that you already answered this question. i sure wish people were more reluctant to do this kind of thing to others. i can't personally imagine blithely removing someone from their longterm home because i feel like i kinda want it for me, but that shit happens all the time.

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thepianoman456 t1_iy4x87n wrote

Yea basically he eenie-meenie-miney-mo’d our 1st floor apt., when we thought he’d just replace our current landlord. It was extremely degrading and stressful, also cause the Coldwell Banker Realator lady didn’t have an ounce of empathy and treated us like cattle.

Now we know the danger of being month to month! The thing is, we were m-t-m for like a year and a half, and thought we just had a chill landlord… cause he was very good to us and fixed things and was very nice.

Now we know he was just prepping us up to be trampled. And it was right before we were getting ready to buy a house, so it was just a major setback.

Word to the wise- when your landlord starts “letting” you go month to month, beware. It’s like the tide shrinking out before a tsunami. Make sure to ask them if they have intent to sell.

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Octopuscard550 t1_ixyt2y3 wrote

Not enough 2&3br apartments are being built. The city hasn't done much to make developers include those in their projects.

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No-Sun8788 OP t1_iy06igd wrote

This is so true. i've found so many really nice 1 beds, student rentals, studios, etc. Were I 30 years younger.

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Crafty-Cauliflower-6 t1_ixxtiek wrote

Nsw haven has no vacancies. You are competing.

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No-Sun8788 OP t1_ixz54xl wrote

well we dont have to live in the city proper. we're looking outside as well, and currently live in North Haven

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TCPottery t1_ixxk2c1 wrote

Do you have a real estate agent?

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No-Sun8788 OP t1_ixxkjvu wrote

For finding a rental? It's been about 20 years since we've had to do this, do you have anyone to recommend?

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TerpPhysicist t1_ixymxqa wrote

There is no cost for you to use a realtor to find a rental, the landlord will pay the fee. So it’s totally worth talking to one. I worked with Jenn D’Amato from Seabury Hill and had a great experience finding a rental in East Rock.

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TCPottery t1_ixxkwqu wrote

No, we are new to CT too, but we're able to squeak in a purchase prior to moving across the country. I do know our agent and could recommend him to you, as least to inquire about a rental agent referral or if he could be helpful in any other way. He is active on Reddit ...

Edit: here he is - u/CTRealtorCarl

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No-Sun8788 OP t1_ixxlnnh wrote

Thanks! We're really kicking ourselves for not being more proactive with our home purchase.

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CTRealtorCarl t1_ixzdzy5 wrote

Thanks 😊

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TCPottery t1_ixzgpn0 wrote

You're the best, Carl! Simply the most knowledgeable, kind, and badass Realtor I know! 😎

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CatSusk t1_ixxle2g wrote

Honestly it’s simple supply and demand. Covid changed the way people are working, which cleared the way for people commuting into NYC every day to move farther out and work from home or go to the office a lot less.

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No-Sun8788 OP t1_ixxm1rz wrote

Yes, and we really need space for a home office, which pushes us into 3 bedroom territory. Also a lot of folks prefer to rent to students, I guess, and want us to take short leases.

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Crafty-Cauliflower-6 t1_ixxtldo wrote

You wont find affordable in new haven. Try surrounding towns.

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No-Sun8788 OP t1_ixxyxxs wrote

yes we currently live in North Haven and are looking in all surrounding areas.

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meanoldrep t1_ixyue9d wrote

When I was looking in 2021 around East Rock I found the opposite. The realtor and landlords stated they give preference to people who work locally because they are typically tenants for extended periods of time.

I had great luck with Seabury Hill Realty and their realtor Jason. Good luck!

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No-Sun8788 OP t1_ixz5ca9 wrote

You are like the third person here to suggest Seabury. I'm contacting them today.

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lolaya t1_ixxvrp8 wrote

I just got a 3 bedroom recently renovated with 1 bathroom for 1800. Are you sure you havent found anything on apartments.com?

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No-Sun8788 OP t1_ixxw3ig wrote

where the hell is that located?

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lolaya t1_ixxw5c3 wrote

East rock

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No-Sun8788 OP t1_ixxw8lf wrote

nice find. I wish I had your luck.

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lolaya t1_ixxwi0n wrote

It was a month ago. Granted its a 9 month lease too but just keep looking. I see things listed on apartments rn

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No-Sun8788 OP t1_ixxynvk wrote

I'm looking and dropping requests right now!

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catsmash t1_iy43nn2 wrote

holy shit, REALLY?

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lolaya t1_iy43qvf wrote

Key is to not get an apartment during the summer/early fall due to college city upcharging

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catsmash t1_iy46g6y wrote

that's always been my understanding in this city, but i dunno, man, last november i was trying to help a new colleague find a place to live in the city and shit was WILD. i remember in particular this bullshit third floor walkup two-bedroom in east rock that was basically a half-assedly refurbished attic with some partitions. the "kitchen" was mainly an old stove sort of randomly placed in a room, there was no kitchen counter at all. they wanted $2500. it had been snapped up within a week. i think you got pretty lucky, and i'm glad for you. i find these kinds of posts so deeply anxiety-inducing these days.

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lolaya t1_iy49f7r wrote

What I find odd is my place was a recent renovation listed for like 2 months. They had to reduce the price twice (originally was 2200)

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catsmash t1_iy4aev7 wrote

wow. honest to god that would make me nervous. were there any, like, chalk outlines on the livingroom floor? bloody gloves under the sink? does a shrieking wraith appear in the bathroom mirror at midnight? it's gotta be something.

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lolaya t1_iy4bz2a wrote

Haha i thought so too but nothing. Its all new appliances and bathroom

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curbthemeplays t1_ixzgarz wrote

Maybe look in the suburbs too? Milford, Branford, North Haven.

Rental affordability is a national problem right now and CT has the lowest vacancy rate in the country.

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No-Sun8788 OP t1_ixzgpz1 wrote

Yes, I work in Woodbridge, he works in central New Hven. Our current apartment is in North Haven on State. It's just too small. We hoped to have purchased by now.

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curbthemeplays t1_ixzjfpq wrote

Gotcha. Maybe look in Milford, it’s a more populated/dense town in general. North Haven isn’t known for a robust rental market.

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No-Sun8788 OP t1_ixzgw4j wrote

Thanks guys, what I planned to just be a vent post turned productive, I've had some good leads come in my DM's and I think we'll be hiring a realtor.

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tcopple t1_ixxrycc wrote

Not sure what your budget is, SO and I just moved out of our home downtown and will be renting soon. DM if you want details.

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No-Sun8788 OP t1_ixxs39w wrote

I don't really want to go over 3k/m Where's it located? That should work for us.

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lec61790 t1_ixz51s7 wrote

If you are okay being a little out of new haven, I’d check out rental houses in Hamden. It’s basically in New Haven and we have a 2bd rental house that is lovely for 2k a month in Spring Glen which is a great neighborhood. We got lucky but it’s not that out of the realm of possibility — we also looked at some cute houses in Branford and Orange that were under 3k. Good luck!

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No-Sun8788 OP t1_ixzp9tr wrote

We are right on the edge of Hamden on State right now. It's a nice area and we're looking there.

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paddyboombotz t1_ixxvdhx wrote

You gotta know somebody. I got a super sweetheart deal on a 2 bedroom but if you’re new in town you are most likely shit out of luck.

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mege_stove t1_ixyv95a wrote

getting in on a sublease from someone trying to move out is another good albeit rare way to find a decent place. We got a nice deal from a a new haven old timer this way.

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killitwithkindnesss t1_ixz3703 wrote

Exactly what I did. I was able to secure a studio close to downtown from a Yale grad Asian student who’s leaving NH. Sublease price is 1245 and after the lease is up in August rent will increase to 1300 for lease renewal. Studio is in great shape, pristine clean and everything is updated. I’ve toured some studios for lease takeover around downtown and they weren’t updated and rent was like 1500+. Crazy. Definitely have to shop around for something good quality and worth the price here. OP should join all the Yale FB groups since landlords and realtors post available units on there and Yalies will also post their apts/rooms for lease takeover. Now until late January is actually the time to look for something since there are Yalies graduating and leaving their leases.

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No-Sun8788 OP t1_ixz57xy wrote

I wish I was young and free and could live in a sweet studio, but sadly I am old and have a lot of shit and value my space :D

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killitwithkindnesss t1_ixz5n7b wrote

There’s a 3 bedroom rental for $1595 in East Rock available right now. Pets allowed. Snag it before the Yalies do.

https://hotpads.com/17-pearl-st-new-haven-ct-06511-tmku9j/1/pad

Definitely shop around on hotpads, FB marketplace and Yale housing FB groups. Your best bet for an affordable three bedroom under $2000 will be in East Rock especially if safety is a concern and you don’t want to hear too much police sirens and rowdiness. Your dogs will like the greenery there too.

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No-Sun8788 OP t1_ixzpi5q wrote

FB Marketplace has been hit or miss. There's a lot of wannabe landlords on there multiple listing the same property under different names with differing rates, or having no idea how the market works.

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killitwithkindnesss t1_ixzxmec wrote

I agree it definitely takes some weeding out since there's a lot of scammers. Just the other day I saw someone post an apartment for $1300 but the photos were stolen from ninth square apartments downtown and their rent starts at 1700+. Also too good to be true rents in the proper of Wooster Square lol

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catsmash t1_iy454hd wrote

oh man, before we bought a place i lived on pearl street for MANY years. absolutely loved it there.

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AggravatingRip2606 t1_iy0h2ty wrote

Yea I’m sorry to hear you are having a tough time. Unfortunately the peanut gallery is right. The dogs are a chokehold on finding a rental. It’s a pipe dream already in CT finding a decent two bedroom+ that isn’t in the absolute worst neighborhood, and they just suck rental application fees too. We were fortunate to find a 2 bedroom in the shoreline but my dog had to be re homed locally to my fathers and he takes care of him. It’s sad but my family is safe. Good luck friend.

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No-Sun8788 OP t1_iy6vjfc wrote

I'm sorry you had to do that. Rehoming is not an option for us. As I've said above, I know that having pets does limit our pool of options, I'm not sure why redditors keep hammering on the point. I'm not rehoming my two senior dogs just to find a rental a few weeks faster.

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AirAeon32 t1_ixz65do wrote

it was alot better around here in 2019 but more & more people are leaving nyc and flooding up here. There trying to match nyc rental prices which started getting ridiculous as early as 2016

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rextilleon t1_ixzahmj wrote

There are other reasons too. Demand in housing market caused by Covid, inflaiton, development that makes no sense by city planning boards etc.

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No-Sun8788 OP t1_iy0myzt wrote

Just a followup question:

I was just talking to a landlord about a property, and he wanted first and last, and for us to carry 300k renters insurance, plus a $5100 security deposit. Is nearly $8000 basically what we should be expecting to plonk down for a $2550/m place with no utilities or services covered?

Please be kind and answer the question (i know i know, this is reddit) we have been homeowners for 20 years previously, so I just want to know if this is standard practice.

(for those who are saying "but the dogs!" this is separate from the pet addition. I am leaving out that detail because it is not relevant, and is actually quite low.)

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MonkeyAssholeLips t1_iy16o92 wrote

We moved to Guilford in a rental in 2018 with $2750/mo rent and also had to have ~$10k for first, last, and deposit and they also require the insurance. Not sure if it’s the norm but we experienced the same thing several years ago.

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EscapeFromTexas t1_iy19qf9 wrote

It's cheaper to go through the homebuying process (current interest rates aside)

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MonkeyAssholeLips t1_iy4acpz wrote

Yeah. But we weren’t going to be there for very long so it was better for us to rent to not have to go thru the process of buying then selling. 🤷‍♀️ I know some people are fine with that but it makes me too nervous.

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throwaway00677 t1_iy0h2y7 wrote

Because you keep voting for politicians that refuse to stop printing money. You need to write your congresspeople and tell them you’ll vote them out if they don’t stop.

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