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.