For Renters

A rental listing says dogs allowed. That sounds promising. But it doesn’t tell you whether your dog is actually allowed, what you’ll pay, where your dog can go, or whether the apartment will work well for both of you after move-in. A property can call itself...

You found an apartment that allows pets. Great. Then you read the fine print. There’s a $300 pet deposit, a $200 pet fee, and another $35 per month in pet rent. Suddenly, “pet-friendly” doesn’t necessarily mean inexpensive. Pet-related charges can add hundreds– and...

Your rental application says a lot about you. But if you’re moving with a pet, the landlord may also be wondering about the animal that’s moving in with you. Is the dog trained? Has the cat lived successfully in a rental before? Is the pet vaccinated? Has another...

Security deposits can be one of the biggest upfront costs of renting an apartment. They can also become one of the biggest sources of frustration when it’s time to move out. How much can your landlord charge? How long do they have to return the money? Can they deduct...

The apartment looks great. The rent is surprisingly affordable. The landlord says several other people are interested. All you need to do is send an application fee or deposit today to hold the property. That’s exactly the point where you should slow down. Most...

Finding an apartment with rent you can afford is only half the budgeting problem. You also have to afford getting through the front door. Before you move in, you may need money for the first month’s rent, a security deposit, application and screening fees, utility...

Renting your first apartment as a student can create a frustrating problem. The landlord wants to see credit history, rental history, and steady income. You’re a student. You may not have much of any of those yet. That doesn’t mean you’re irresponsible. It usually...

Renting your first apartment is exciting. It can also feel like everyone expects you to already know how the process works. What documents do you need? How much income should you have? Will the landlord check your credit? What if you don’t have credit yet? How much...

An eviction record can make apartment hunting feel impossible. You may have found a place you like, gathered your documents, and felt ready to apply– only to worry that an old eviction filing might show up in a tenant screening report and lead to another denial. So,...