5 Tipsto land the perfect rental

Plus all you need to know beforesigning the lease

5 Tips to land the perfect rental

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Scout ahead, and find your ideal location.Think about the lifestyle you want and the amenities and services nearby potential rentals. Are you looking for local coffee shops with wifi access? What is the public transit like? Do you desire a smaller urban village type of neighborhood where you can walk, bike or transit, or will you need a car? Know what you want, so you’ll know where to go.

Pets welcome, or not so much? If Fido or Fluffy are included in your household, knowing which rentals are pet friendly is key. The realtor.com® photo-centric rental app makes it easy to filter potential rentals for pets – just search by pet icons to find pet-friendly rentals in locations you’re considering.

Focus your search with must-haves.Don’t waste time and energy on rentals that don’t offer what you truly need. If you want in-unit laundry, a workout center, doorman, elevator, garage parking or other, stick to your guns and get your needs met. No need to compromise – search smart with the realtor.com® rentals app and filter out properties that don’t make the cut.

Mother was right; you’d better shop around. Everyone wants a welcoming home to return to at the end of the day. Don’t rush your decision by neglecting to comparison shop. Be thorough in your search and look into potential extras like included paid utilities, cable, and parking. These add-ons can add-up to a sweeter deal.

Once you find the perfect place, be prepared.Typically, a landlord will want first and last month’s rent, and sometimes an additional deposit and application fee. If you’ve found the perfect place and it’s time to sign the lease, expect to pay upfront and also expect to have a credit check run. Normally, references from previous landlords are required, or a co-signer if this is your first place. You may also be asked to furnish a resume and proof of income.

Looking for a new apartment or home to rent has its own set of variables, many of which are different from purchasing a property. While less complicated in some ways, there are still many things to consider when seeking your ideal rental.

5 Tips for renters on the move

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Upfront costs — There are initial costs to keep in mind when moving into a new apartment or rental home. While there are variances, it’s standard for property owners and managers to require first and last month’s rent, along with a security deposit. If a pet is part of the picture, a deposit may be required as well. Additionally, factor in the cost of moving expenses into your transition. One rule of thumb is that it will take three to four times the monthly rent to comfortably settle into your new place. Be sure to inquire about special move in deals if available.

Lease — A lease is a legal contract that specifies the terms of your rental agreement. Occasionally, leases are six months, but the norm is at least one year. The benefit of a lease is that it provides assurance to both the landlord and tenant that the situation is secure; the tenant will remain at the property for a certain time period and pay a fixed rate. Generally a lease will contain penalties to the tenant for breaking the lease ahead of time. If you are in a situation where you think you might move in a few months or you have concerns about being able to make your monthly rent then a lease is probably not right for you at this time.

A lease will often define other terms for tenancy including how many people may live in the apartment, whether or not pets are allowed, whether smoking is permitted, and any other specific restrictions that are placed on the property. It is imperative to read any lease thoroughly and make sure you understand and agree with all of the terms. If there are terms that you do not agree with or understand, it’s a must to bring them to light before signing anything. The time to make adjustments is prior to signing on the dotted line, not after.

Tenant at will — Often after the terms of a lease expire the tenant will assume a ‘tenant at will’ status. This means that the tenant is on a month-to-month basis. In this situation a tenant can leave giving 30 days notice and a landlord can also ask a tenant to vacate within 30 days. Some rental agreements also begin as tenant at will. This arrangement is similar to a lease agreement with terms and conditions stated but with more flexibility and less security for both sides.

Security deposit — It’s common for a property manager or owner to ask for a security deposit. A security deposit is often a specified sum, which is refunded in whole or in part to the tenant at the end of the terms of the tenancy. The expectation for the return of a security deposit is that there have been no significant damages to the apartment during the time of tenancy and that it is in “broom clean” condition.

Rental Round-up – More to Know

5 Tips to land the perfect rental

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Pet deposits — It is not unusual for landlords to ask for a pet deposit. The amount may vary depending on whether it’s a cat or dog, their size and so on. Some apartments tack on a small amount to be applied each month (under $50), but in some cases it can be substantially more. Your best approach is to search for an apartment listed as pet-friendly and welcoming. Our realtor.com® rentals app makes that process easy. It isn’t advisable to try to “sneak” a pet into an apartment listed as “no pets allowed” and may result in eviction under violation of the lease terms.

Home improvements — Since you do not own the property, it is a basic rule to clear all potential improvements with your landlord. This includes minor cosmetic changes like painting the bedroom or changing a light fixture. In some cases the landlord may agree to the change with the caveat that if you make the change you agree to return the apartment to the condition you found it in, including repainting or replacing the original fixtures. Bear in mind that it’s important to make sure any changes you make are reversible. If there is something that is not reversible and will be an overall benefit to the home, the landlord may be willing to bear some of the expense. Establishing good communication and trust with your landlord will make a world of difference.

If something goes wrong with the rental, even if it is something that you feel you can fix on your own, it’s always best to check with the landlord first. You may offer to do your own repairs, but it is always advisable to get permission first. If a self-repair job were to go awry, you run the risk of creating a substantial and costly issue for yourself. Additionally, if you fix something yourself, be sure to ask ahead of time who will pay for the repair.

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Roommates — If you’d like more space and don’t have a lot of money, one option is to share a place with roommates. This is a popular option among younger people, students, and those in transition. Successful roommate situations call for clear communication and mutual understanding of house rules and boundaries. In general, it’s best to try and define the terms of the arrangement early on. Putting them in writing in a signed agreement can prevent problems later on. Having regular house meetings to air and discuss any grievances can also be helpful.

Some questions to consider:

How will common space be shared and used?

How will storage space be allocated?

How will bathroom schedules be coordinated for people if you are sharing?

What are the rules for guests and entertaining?

How will bills be paid and shared?

How will shared groceries (everything from ketchup to toilet paper) be allocated?

Will there be a schedule for shared amenities such as laundry, television, etc.?

Dealing with noise — Apartment dwellers and those who live in townhouses may at times hear noises from their neighbors. In general dealing with a fair amount of noise from time to time is simply part of apartment living, but if the noise is excessive or occurs at hours when most people are sleeping then it may be time to act. A personal, polite and direct approach is the best way to solve potential problems, but if the problem continues, you may need to appeal to your property manager or owner. Since “noisy” is a subjective term it may be wise to clarify with your landlord the specific conditions that would be considered unacceptable.

Credit checks — These days property owners and managers want to be certain that their tenants are a good risk. Credit checks are an expected part of the verification process. Research your credit rating beforehand and know what you bring to the table. When you fill out a rental application you want to make sure that your credit will not be a stumbling block.

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Take this worksheet with you as you view apartments and houses to rent, or download the realtor.com® rentals app and make notes right on your phone.

Take these items with you when you view properties to ensure a smooth lease signing when you find the one!

_______ Checkbook for deposit and application fee

_______ Credit report or social security number for a credit check

_______ References from previous landlords

_______ Resume

_______ Proof of income

_______ Co-signer (if you are a new renter)

Renter’s worksheet

Document Checklist:

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Date: Apartment/rental name:

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