Tips for Tenants

Tips and Advice for Tenants

Helpful Guide for Renters

Make a list of neighborhoods, rooms and amenities that are desirable to you.
Determine your monthly rental budget. If possible, try not to exceed a third of your monthly income. Use our monthly household budget to calculate your expenses. Keep your rent within 35-40 percent of your gross monthly income.
Save enough money for first month’s rent and security deposit, plus have a month’s rent plus utilities in reserve.
If you are having difficulty paying the rent, look in a lower price range or reduce some of your household expenses.
Carefully look at how well the apartment is maintained by the landlord on both the interior and exterior.
Look at the carpet, windows, appliances, roof, deck, driveway, kitchens and baths.
Determine parking, storage and laundry arrangements in advance.
Determine who controls and pays for the heat and air conditioning.
Verify all utility budgets you will be responsible for before making your decision.
Talk to other tenants in the building to see how responsive the landlord or property manager is to fixing problems.
Locate a property that suits you or your family’s specific needs.
Determine if the building allows pets or smokers.
Determine if a pet security is required by the landlord.
Look for safety issues: locks, smoke detectors, fire escapes, stairway exits, etc.
Determine noise, traffic issues, and drive time to work before you rent.
Download our lease application and complete it neatly and accurately for the landlord’s review.
Provide a copy of a recent pay stub and driver license with your application.
Meet and evaluate, the Landlord or his management staff, for professionalism.
Has the property been properly cleaned and sanitized?
Ask if the property will be available on the date you need it?
Schedule a truck rental or moving company in advance of your move.
Use our move-in move-out form to protect your security deposit and save your receipts for all rents and security deposits.
Always give proper written notice to your landlord of your intent to move - usually 30 days notice before the first of the month, is required.
When moving, clean your apartment and schedule a move-out inspection. Use our inspection form.
Leave a forwarding address with your landlord, so he or she can can return your security deposit to your new address.