{"id":6918,"date":"2017-03-01T15:48:59","date_gmt":"2017-03-01T23:48:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/?page_id=6918"},"modified":"2022-05-26T09:01:34","modified_gmt":"2022-05-26T16:01:34","slug":"ultimate-guide-rent-apartment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/ultimate-guide-rent-apartment\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Guide: How to Rent an Apartment"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/issuu.com\/rentecdirect\/docs\/the_ultimate_guide?e=32301039\/57217193\">The Ultimate Guide: How to Rent an Apartment<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Welcome to your comprehensive guide on everything you need to know about renting your first apartment.<\/p>\n<p>This Ultimate Guide is broken down into sections to give you the details about all the steps you need to take to rent an apartment. These steps include the Pre Search, the Search, the Application Process, Signing the Lease, Moving in and Setting Up, and Getting Your Security Deposit Back.<\/p>\n<p>This educational eBook is free for all renters and a great resource for property managers and landlords to share with their future tenants. \u00a0Flip through the eBook, <a href=\"https:\/\/issuu.com\/rentecdirect\/docs\/the_ultimate_guide?e=32301039\/57217193\">download the PDF<\/a>, or scroll down to access your Ultimate Guide on How to Rent an Apartment.<\/p>\n<div class=\"issuuembed\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 500px;\" data-configid=\"32301039\/57217193\"><\/div>\n<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/\/e.issuu.com\/embed.js\" async=\"true\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Download the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/The-Ultimate-Guide-1.pdf\">The Ultimate Guide: How to Rent an Apartment<\/a>\u00a0as a PDF.<\/p>\n<h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ultimate Guide on How to Rent an Apartment<\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moving out and renting your own place is a crucial part of becoming an adult and living on your own, however, you probably didn\u2019t learn how to do this in school. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve created the most comprehensive guide on the internet on how to rent an apartment for people who have never lived on their own or rented an apartment before. Renting an apartment comes with a ton of responsibility and if you\u2019re doing it for the first time it can feel overwhelming. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This guide includes everything you need to know from start to finish in order to find, apply, and get into a new apartment quickly and easily. This guide will also help you avoid costly mistakes of first-time renters and allow you to navigate this process like a seasoned professional.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pre-Search<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you actively start searching for apartments and setting up appointments you\u2019ll need to figure out a few details. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Your pre-search tasks should include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">-setting a budget range<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">-figuring what size apartment you need<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">-selecting potential locations. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By figuring these things out beforehand you will narrow your search, helping you stay focused and prevent you from feeling overwhelmed during your search. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Budget Range<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Setting a budget range is the first, and most important, step when starting out your search for an apartment to rent. You need to crunch the numbers and figure out how much you can afford to pay each month in rent and utilities. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Budget experts recommend that you spend only 25% &#8211; 35% of your take-home income on housing costs. You can calculate your budget range by adding up your after-tax income and multiplying it by .25 for the low end and by .35 for the high end.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monthly Income \u00a0X \u00a0.25 \u00a0= \u00a0Low End of Range<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monthly Income \u00a0X \u00a0.35 \u00a0= \u00a0High End of Range<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember, don\u2019t just look at the rent amount, you must figure out what utilities you\u2019ll be responsible for and add those costs as well as the costs of other bills such as renters insurance. \u00a0To help you establish a budget here is a helpful article on the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/the-true-cost-of-renting-an-apartment\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">True Cost of Renting an Apartment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you find a place that fits your criteria, check which utilities are are included in the rent and which ones you\u2019ll need to pay for. You probably won\u2019t be able to know the exact cost of utilities, however, you should be able to obtain a pretty good estimate based on location and size of apartment. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During your apartment search be on the lookout for income requirements because you might not qualify unless you make a certain amount per month.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Desired Size:<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At this point you need to take a look at your needs and figure out what size apartment you want to rent. Do you only need a studio apartment? One, two or three bedrooms? One or two bathrooms? <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The answer to this question will be highly dependent on your unique situation and how many people will be living in the apartment. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep in mind, larger apartments and more occupants will increase the utility usage significantly, make sure you budget accordingly. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ideal Location:<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The location of your apartment will become a very important part of your life, it will determine what roads you\u2019ll drive, what stores you\u2019ll shop at, and what community you\u2019ll be a part of. You should also consider other impacts such as school districts and crime rates. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take into account all of these variables when searching for an apartment and select a few potential locations that will fit your needs. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A location with close proximity to work, school, retail stores and other places that you visit often can have many perks. This will decrease your commute which will not only save you money on transportation costs but will also save you precious time. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll want to make sure that you select potential cities, towns, complexes and\/or neighborhoods where you will feel comfortable and safe. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With all of the factors in mind, select your ideal locations and a few potential backup locations and target these areas in your search. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pets<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are a pet owner, or potentially would want to be one, this <\/span><b>must<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> be part of your criteria for an apartment. Pretty much every apartment listing will state whether you\u2019re allowed to have pets or not and what kinds are allowed. If pets are allowed there will usually be a small security deposit required. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember to never try and sneak a pet into a property where they are not allowed. Your landlord will discover your pet and you will face an eviction that will damage your chances of finding another rental later in life. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Search<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that you have all of your pre-search information and criteria in place it\u2019s time to get on your apartment search grind. The days of rental listings in local newspapers and magazines are pretty much over, the only tools that you\u2019ll need for this is a computer or a smartphone and an internet connection.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apartment Listing Sites<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are a ton of websites out there today that will help you find available units according to your criteria<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After researching many apartment sites, we found the best ones, here\u2019s our top 5. These sites made the list due to their ease of use, quality features, search results and available information on potential properties.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.forrent.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ForRent.com<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.realtor.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Realtor.com<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.craigslist.org\/about\/sites\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Craigslist.org<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartments.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apartments.com<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.rent.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rent.com<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These online tools allow you to quickly find several apartments that match your criteria. Apartments for rent are going on and off the market all the time so don\u2019t feel discouraged if you can\u2019t find something right away. Take a few minutes each day for a couple weeks to search for and contact potential apartments. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These online sites will provide all the details you need to figure out if an apartment is right for you and will have the contact information needed to set an appointment to see it in person.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set Up Appointments<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you\u2019ve found an apartment that meets all of your criteria it\u2019s time to contact the owner or manager to set up an appointment. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As with most important relationships, it is important to make a good first impression with a potential landlord or property manager. This starts starts with the phone call to set up the initial appointment. You might not speak directly with the owner but with a property manager who will set up the appointment. In any case, speak clearly and be polite on the phone to create a good first impression. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Visit<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try to schedule a few different appointments on the same day if you can, usually the weekends work well for this. This strategy allows you to get it all done at once and compare several apartments when they\u2019re still fresh in your mind. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After making a good first impression over the phone, you\u2019ll need to make a good first in-person impression. There are a number of characteristics that landlords look for in a tenant and by displaying them during your first meeting you\u2019ll give yourself an advantage over the competition. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of these characteristics include being reliable, courteous, easy to communicate and get along with. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some tips and tricks to display these characteristics and make a great first in-person impression with a landlord:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dress nice<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be On time<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smile \ud83d\ude42<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speak Clearly<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make Eye Contact<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t Make Complaints<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be Thankful<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you&#8217;re walking through the apartment, it is important to be observant and check the place for issues and basic functionality. The main issues to lookout for include mold, insect infestation, water damage, broken items, and condition of the floors. Check the functionality of doors, windows, cabinets, water, air conditioning, heating, electrical, and appliances. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To help with your search here is a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/the-ultimate-rental-property-checklist\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rental Property Checklist<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/\">Rentec Direct<\/a>, to make sure you find the features you love. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is important to keep small concerns to yourself and just make mental notes to discuss and go over later. However, it is a good idea to ask several questions to help you make a decision and ensure that there are no unpleasant surprises after you move in. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are a few questions that you should consider asking:<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are any utilities included in the rent?<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the security deposit?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the pet policy? (If you plan to have a pet)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the neighborhood like? Active? Quiet? Social?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Any home or car break-ins in the area recently?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the parking situation like?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How would we deal with small maintenance issues and repairs?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can we make any modifications such as paint the walls?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the policy for having guests stay the night?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the exit options if something comes up before our lease is up?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ask anything else that comes up or that you may be concerned about but do it nicely and don\u2019t voice your complaints, make mental notes. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By seeing several places in person it allows you to quickly figure out which apartments are legitimate contenders and which ones fooled you with pretty pictures. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not only will you get a feel for the apartment itself but you\u2019ll be able to see what the neighborhood and landlord or management is like. Visiting a place in person will give you a great overall picture of what it would be like to actually live there. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At this point you should have all of the information that you need to determine your top two or three apartments. You would obviously love you get your absolute favorite apartment, but in today\u2019s competitive rental market there\u2019s a chance that you won\u2019t be approved or another person will be selected. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apply for your top two or three apartments, this will give you good backups if things don\u2019t go as planned. You will either need to grab an application in person during the visit or request that one be emailed to you.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Application Process<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Filling out a few rental applications will require a little bit of time and focused energy. Most of them will require pretty much the same information so it shouldn\u2019t take long after you complete the first one. You can expect to provide several pieces of personal information including proof of income, social security and driver\u2019s license number, references, vehicle registration and proof of insurance. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re using a pen to fill out the application, and not an online tool, it\u2019s important to write neatly so that everything can be easily read and understood without guessing. Sloppy writing can be very frustrating for someone to read and can lead to transcription errors. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also expect to pay a small application fee which should only cost $20 &#8211; $50 and will cover the costs of things like credit and background checks.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Preparing Your Application<\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Proof of Income<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every landlord will require your income information in order to verify that you make enough money to pay your rent each month. Even though you enter your income on the application, you will most likely be required to provide proof of income by submitting documents such as employer letters, pay stubs, or W2 tax forms. You will probably only only need to submit one of these types of documents depending on the landlord\u2019s preferences.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s almost a sure thing that you\u2019ll have to provide your employer\u2019s details such as company name, address, position title, manager\u2019s name and contact information. This will allow the landlord to verify that you actually have a job and that you make as much money as you say you do. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Social Security and Driver\u2019s License Number<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When applying for an apartment you\u2019ll need to provide your social security number and give your landlord permission to check your credit. Your credit score will give the landlord and idea of what your financial responsibility is. If you have bad credit or don\u2019t have any because you\u2019re young, you should indicate this on the application.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If this is the case you will most likely need to find a co-signer, this should be someone with strong financial responsibility and good credit. Let them know on the application that you can provide a co-signer if credit score is an issue. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might also be required to provide your driver\u2019s license number or state ID card for a background check. This allows the landlord to check if an applicant has any criminal history and it\u2019s obvious that someone without a criminal record is more desirable than someone with a criminal record. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3>References<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The application will ask for previous landlord references and\/or just personal references. If you haven\u2019t rented before then you\u2019ll stick to your personal references. You should provide references outside of your family, and put people down who know you are responsible and trustworthy. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can use people like managers and professors, just give them a quick heads up to let them know you\u2019re putting them down as a reference so they are prepared when and if they receive a phone call from your future landlord. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vehicle Registration and Proof of Insurance<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This information is not always required and relies heavily on the specific parking situation of each complex. Most apartments have assigned parking spots and some even have gated parking lots that require passes or stickers. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Registration and proof of insurance allow the landlord to verify your vehicles and give you the necessary decals to park within the complex without getting towed or reported. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Parking lots that are exclusive for tenants ensure that only approved vehicles can park there and adds an element of safety by preventing random people from parking in your neighborhood. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Submitting the Application<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you\u2019ve completed the application and gathered all of the necessary documents, it\u2019s time to send it in. this may include an online application, emailed application, mailed in or a hand delivered application. If you already live close to the apartment that you\u2019re applying for, you might be able to drop it off in person. Another option is to mail it in, however, sending things through the mail might take too long. If the application was emailed to you, you\u2019ll need to print it out, complete it, then scan and email it back to the manager or landlord. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s now time to wait for you to get the notice that you have been approved for your new apartment!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Signing the Lease<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yay! You\u2019ve received the good news, your application has been approved and now all you need to do before you move in is sign the lease, get renters insurance, and set a move in date. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read Your Lease Thoroughly <\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you sign a lease or rental agreement you need to read it thoroughly. Make sure that you understand everything and have no further questions before you sign it. The most common type of lease agreement is a yearly lease, however, you may find a rental agreement that is month to month. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get Renters Insurance<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depending on where you are renting, you might be required to have renters insurance before you take possession of the apartment. More and more apartment complexes are requiring you to have renters insurance before leasing. The good news is that renters insurance is extremely affordable and beneficial for you! <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first thing you should know is that your landlord\u2019s insurance policy does not extend to you as the renter and will only cover damage to the dwelling. It will not provide coverage for your valuables if they are stolen or ruined in a disaster such as fire or flood. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having a renters insurance policy in force will not only protect your valuables, but it will also provide liability protection if someone gets hurt in your apartment or home and is seeking a settlement for their injuries. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Renters Insurance isn\u2019t always required, however, it is would highly recommend getting it. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/renters-insurance-infographic\/\">A renters insurance policy should only set you back about $15-$30 per month.<\/a>\u00a0The key is that you need to shop around with several different insurance companies in order to make sure you\u2019re getting the best rate. Often, you can bundle renters insurance with your car insurance to get a great rate.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Renter Responsibilities <\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that you\u2019ll be moving into your new place soon, it\u2019s a good idea to understand all of your new responsibilities as a renter. As long as you pay your rent and your utilities you won\u2019t have to worry about much else, however, here are a few things to keep in mind. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is your duty to keep the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Take-care-of-your-rental-Cheatsheet.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">apartment clean, safe and in good condition<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you start showing irresponsibility and trashing your place, you might not be there for much longer. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is also your responsibility to reimburse your landlord for any damages that you cause. This may be a good reason to keep those weekend parties to a minimum.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Landlord Responsibilities<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first and foremost responsibility of the landlord is to provide you with a habitable place to live. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A habitable residence can be defined as having the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Safe and secure structural elements such as walls, floors, doors and windows.<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Functional heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Access to a trash service.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Void of insect or rodent infestation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is your landlord\u2019s responsibility to fix any issues that compromise the livability of your apartment. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By this time you should know who to contact and how to request a repair if one is needed. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If a landlord fails to make repairs in a timely manner, you may have grounds to withhold rent until the repairs are made. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If a repair needs to be made immediately you may be able to pay for the repairs yourself and then seek reimbursement from your landlord or get the repair cost deducted from your rent. It is important to discuss these things with your landlord or manager before moving into your new apartment. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You have the right to privacy and it is your landlord\u2019s responsibility to respect that privacy. Even though the landlord owns the property, they don\u2019t have the right to enter unannounced. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every state has laws in place to protect the renter\u2019s privacy, the only instance where a landlord can enter without notice or permission is in the case of an emergency that threatens injury or property damage. All other circumstances require the landlord to have your permission and give you a 24-hour notice before entering your apartment. If a landlord becomes pushy and oversteps their boundaries by breaking these laws, they are liable and can be subject to legal punishment for invasion of privacy. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set a Move In Date<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Communicate with your landlord or manager and set a move in date. Start planning your big move!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moving in and Setting Up<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moving Tips<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moving can be a real pain sometimes, it takes tons of time and energy. You\u2019ve got to pack up all your stuff at your current location, load it into a vehicle, get that vehicle to your new location, unload, and then unpack everything. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get help, you can\u2019t move on your own. You can either ask family and friends to help or you can hiring a moving company.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re strapped for cash, ask friends and family. Everyone is going to need to move at some point in their life so it\u2019s okay to ask for help because one day they will need your help. Just ensure your helpers that you\u2019ll be there for them when they need help moving.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll also need to utilize a moving vehicle to transport all of your stuff. If you don\u2019t know anyone with a big truck or trailer you\u2019ll need to rent a moving truck. This won\u2019t cost too much and will be extremely helpful if you aren\u2019t using a moving company. Be strategic when you pack the truck, approach it like a puzzle. By strategically packing your moving vehicle you will maximize space and prevent items from damaging each other during transport. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re willing to spend a few extra bucks you can hire a moving company to load, transport, and unload your stuff. Moving companies are great, they are professionals and will significantly reduce the amount of work involved in moving.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure that you stay organized throughout the move. When you pack, group things by room such as kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, ect. Label everything clearly so that you know what\u2019s in each box and where is goes. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll also want to make sure that you utilize the correct packing materials in order to pack items securely. Moving is prime time for breaking fragile items such as glassware and mirrors. You\u2019ll need to utilize boxes, packing tape, paper, foam, bubble wrap, tie downs, and moving blankets in order to secure each item in it\u2019s box and\/or in the truck. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s a quick list of these resources if you need any:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moving Boxes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Packing Tape<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Packing Paper<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Foam<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bubble Wrap<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tie Downs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moving Blankets<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Setting Up Utilities and Services<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depending on the location of your new apartment, you will be notified of the corresponding utility companies to contact in order to set up your water, electric and gas. You\u2019ll need to call each company individually in order to set up your account and ensure that your utilities don\u2019t get shut off. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep all of your information such as account numbers, usernames, passwords and phone numbers for your utilities in one place so that you can easily access them. It is a good idea to set up online accounts for each utility, this will allow you to access and view your account at any time.\u00a0It is also recommended that you take it a step further and set everything up on automatic payments and paperless billing, this will ensure that your utilities are always paid on time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As with your utilities, you\u2019ll need to call to set up any services that you would like such as TV, internet, and phone. It is also a good idea to keep the details for this services together in one place including account numbers, online logins, passwords and billing dates. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also set up these services to be paid automatically every month so that you don\u2019t have to worry about paying the bill every month. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mailing Address Change<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This next step isn\u2019t the hardest step but it can be annoying and may get overlooked amongst the craziness of your move. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Notifying various people and companies that you\u2019ve moved is one of the final steps to ensure that your relocation process is as smooth as possible. Here is a list of people and organizations you need to update your address with.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Family and Friends<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Keep your family and close friends updated on your relocation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Current Employer:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You want to make sure that your employer has your updated address in case of an emergency and for important tax reasons. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Post Office:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Do this online for $1, this will save you time and a trip to the post office. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Department of Motor Vehicles:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You\u2019ll need to make sure your driver\u2019s license and car registration information get updated with your new address. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>The IRS:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You can print out and mail in the IRS\u2019 Change of Address form. You can access the form here: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/uac\/Form-8822,-Change-of-Address\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/uac\/Form-8822,-Change-of-Address<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Banks and Financial Institutions:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Make sure you contact your bank and update your address. This will change billing addresses for your accounts and credit cards. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Insurance Companies:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This one is important because insurance companies rate off location. It is crucial that you have this information correct because it may affect your rates and will save you lots of trouble if you have a claim. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Medical Facilities: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might need to notify your healthcare providers or doctors in order to transfer medical records or prescription medicines. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Educational Institutions:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If you\u2019re in school, or you have kids in school, make sure you update your address with the necessary educational institutions. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Subscription Services:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You\u2019ll want to make sure that you continue to get the subscriptions that you pay for such as magazines and newspapers so don\u2019t forget to update your address with them.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Getting Back Your Security Deposit<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If there\u2019s one thing we\u2019re sure of, it\u2019s that you\u2019ll be wanting your security deposit back when you move out. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep this in mind from the start by documenting any issues or damages that you find in the apartment during your first couple walk-throughs with your landlord. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes you will receive a tenant-landlord checklist or worksheet from the leasing manager or landlord when you take possession of the apartment. It may also be a good idea to take pictures of certain things so you have proof if the landlord attempts to deduct repair costs from your security deposit. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your landlord is not allowed to charge you for normal wear and tear caused by just living in the apartment. However, you can be charged for damage or excessive filth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Getting your security deposit back is your responsibility, you need to focus on keeping things clean and maintained so that you aren\u2019t charged when you move out.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll also need to thoroughly clean the apartment when you move out, you can do this yourself, however, most landlords provide an option to just pay a cleaning fee instead. Paying a cleaning fee is a good option because even if you clean the apartment yourself the landlord might charge you anyway if your cleaning wasn\u2019t sufficient.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your landlord is required to return your security deposit within 14-30 days after you move out.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conclusion<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There you have it, The Ultimate Guide: How to Rent an Apartment! <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We truly hope that you found this information helpful if you are renting an apartment for the first time. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let us know if this helped you or if you have any other advice or tips that would help people out who are looking to rent an apartment!<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Want this info as a downloadable PDF? Go <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/ultimate-guide-rent-apartment\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to find The Ultimate Guide: How to Rent an Apartment in magazine form.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Ultimate Guide: How to Rent an Apartment Welcome to your comprehensive guide on everything you need to know about renting your first apartment. This Ultimate Guide is broken down into sections to give you the details about all the steps you need to take to rent an apartment. These steps include the Pre Search, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":6926,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-6918","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Ultimate Guide: How to Rent an Apartment<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/ultimate-guide-rent-apartment\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Ultimate Guide: How to Rent an Apartment\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Ultimate Guide: How to Rent an Apartment Welcome to your comprehensive guide on everything you need to know about renting your first apartment. 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