Starting Your Rental Search

When scouting for a rental unit, consider the area around the apartment or the property. Think about the places that are within comfortable walking distance. This is especially important if you do not have your own car. Find out what food markets are in the area, public transportation stops, places of worship, and other shops that are important to you.

Application Process

The application process usually begins with contacting the leasing manager or landlord. This is the best time to ask any questions about the property, such as:

  • How the rent is broken down?
  • Are there other fees or costs that are added onto the rent automatically?

You may not be billed separately for gas, water, sewer, or garbage removal. These may show up as added fees on your rent bill.

*Please Note: Before signing a lease, be certain of the choice you are making. Once a lease or rental agreement is signed, you are now locked into a legal contract. If you attempt to end this agreement early, you, or the person who cosigned with you may have to pay penalties for breaking the agreement.

Get it in Writing

The relationship between you and your leasing manager or landlord is a business relationship. This relationship may remain friendly, but professional. 

Get everything in writing. If you and your property manager discuss or agree to anything—before or after signing your lease—make sure it’s documented and included with your lease agreement. We encourage you to keep all communications between you and your landlord or property manager. 

  • For example,  if you were offered a special deal that said you did not have to pay any move-in fees or the first month's rent is discounted—get this information in writing prior to signing the lease agreement.

It's important to ensure that everyone’s name is on the agreement. It would be ideal that whoever is representing the property is on the lease, whether it is the landlord or the property manager. A property management company may be listed as the landlord for some apartment complexes. The company name will be listed as the landlord. We encourage you to make sure that the person who is working with you has their name and title listed somewhere on the agreement and that they are authorized to make the deal with you. This will help protect you, as the renter, when you decide to move out.

Understand What You Are Signing

A lease and a rental agreement are two different things.

A lease is a contractual agreement for a set period of time, typically 12 months. The lease agreement will need to be renewed at the end of the lease term.

  • With a 12-month lease, when the 12 months are coming to an end you will need to notify your leasing manager or landlord that you are either renewing the lease or leaving the property.
  • Your lease will tell you how much advanced notice you will need to give your leasing manager or landlord.

A rental agreement is for a shorter term.

  • A rental agreement goes from month to month
  • The agreement is automatically renewed unless the tenant gives notice that they are moving out. (Usually, it will be 30 days advanced notice.)
  • The landlord can change the terms of the rental agreement, with advanced notice.

Another part of either agreement type is if the agreement is individual or if it is a group agreement.

An individual agreement sets financial responsibility for each individual tenant.

  • Even if there are four tenants in the apartment or rental property,
  • Each tenant has his or her own agreement with the property manager or landlord.
  • If someone leaves the apartment, the other tenants do not have to be responsible for that person's rent payment.

A group agreement is normally what many property leasing managers and landlords will use.

  • This means that the financial responsibility is divided among all the tenants living in the apartment.
  • If someone does not pay or if someone moves out, the other tenants who are still in the apartment will need to cover the rent of anyone who moved out.
  • It is typical in lease and rental agreements for every adult living in the apartment to be on the lease, even if only one person is paying the rent.

Checking the Apartment

Before moving anything into the rental unit, take a walk-through of the property room by room. Make sure there are no damages or defects in any of the spaces. Take pictures of everything with a time and date stamp. You will need to mention any problems you see and document them for yourself and the landlord/property manager. Usually, you will do the walk through with the landlord or property manager.

Any issues that are not documented can be charged to you off of your security deposit when you move out. Many landlords/property managers will want to know about the condition of the property to make any repairs.

Repairs/Maintenance

Before [or at the latest move-in day], get the information on how to report repairs. Also, you will need to know who to contact about any maintenance or repairs for the apartment, this is more important if the property does not have on site maintenance staff. Some apartments will have the ability to schedule repairs by a website. At least a phone number should be requested.

If anything needs to be repaired in your apartment or rental property report it right away. Keep any information about any repairs for yourself.

Be prompt with repairs. If something gets worn while you are the tenant, then the landlord or property manager can charge repairs to you off your security deposit after you move out.

Security Deposits

The security deposit is an additional payment made to the landlord or property manager to hold at your leasing or agreement signing. This money will be used towards any damages or failed rental or lease payments, if necessary. It may also be used if the tenant(s) do not pay utilities. Tenants will receive this money at the end of their lease or rental term. 

Consider the following when you are ready to move out:

  • Thoroughly clean your unit. Every corner, surface, and floor. You don't want to have a smaller security deposit refund because of a removable stain on the carpet you forgot to clean.

  • Finalize any repairs. This is the last chance to get any repair work done, if you wait too long you may be penalized through your security deposit return.

  • Have the original move-in day pictures with you as you walk through the apartment with your landlord. Be ready with your repair records too.

  • Take pictures before you hand the keys over to the property manager or landlord.

  • Read over your lease agreement again to ensure all required work is completed in your unit prior to moving out. 

After you move out and hand over the keys to the property manager or landlord. Ask any important questions, such as how you will receive your secutiry deposit refund. Allow up to 30 days for their response.