Renter Resources
Guides, tools, and tips to help you navigate the rental process with confidence.
Guides & Articles
First-Time Renter Guide
Everything you need to know before signing your first lease. From understanding rental terms to knowing your rights.
GuideHow to Write a Strong Rental Application
Stand out from other applicants with these tips for creating a compelling rental application.
GuideUnderstanding Your Lease Agreement
A breakdown of common lease terms and what to look for before you sign.
LegalRenter Rights by State
Know your rights as a tenant. Security deposit limits, notice requirements, and more.
ChecklistMoving Checklist
A comprehensive checklist to help you prepare for move-in day and beyond.
GuideHow to Document Your Move-In Condition
Protect your security deposit by properly documenting the condition of your rental.
Free Tools
Rent Affordability Calculator
Find out how much rent you can comfortably afford based on your income and expenses.
Cost of Living Comparison
Compare the cost of living between cities to help plan your move.
Security Deposit Estimator
Estimate how much you'll need for security deposit and first month's rent.
Common Questions
Quick answers to help you on your rental journey.
Most landlords require a government-issued ID, proof of income (recent pay stubs or tax returns), bank statements showing savings, references from previous landlords, and sometimes a credit report. Having these ready speeds up your application.
A common guideline is the 30% rule, which suggests spending no more than 30% of your gross monthly income on rent. However, this varies based on your location, lifestyle, debt obligations, and financial goals. In high cost-of-living areas, many renters spend 35-40%.
A security deposit is money held by your landlord to cover potential damages beyond normal wear and tear, or unpaid rent. It's typically one to two months' rent, though limits vary by state. You should receive it back when you move out if the property is in good condition.
Yes, landlords can reject applications based on credit history, insufficient income, negative rental history, or poor references. However, they cannot legally discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, or disability under the Fair Housing Act.
Read the entire lease carefully. Pay attention to the lease term, rent amount and due date, late fee policies, security deposit terms, maintenance responsibilities, pet policies, subletting rules, and early termination clauses. Ask questions about anything unclear before signing.
Contact your landlord or property manager in writing (email or through their tenant portal) with a detailed description of the issue and photos if applicable. For emergencies like flooding or no heat, call immediately. Keep records of all maintenance requests and responses.