

This means going through and checking the entire property, checking for damages on the walls, the floors, the ceilings, as well as making sure that all the goods and appliances in the home work as intended. To ensure you do get your security deposit back, make sure you perform a moving inspection and complete a moving checklist. Plus, if you're using a realtor to aid you in your search, you'll typically pay them another month's rent or more as a broker's fee.Įven though the first and last month's rent is money you'd be paying anyway, and you should ultimately receive your security deposit back (so long as you leave the apartment in good condition), you want to be prepared for the large upfront cost before signing the lease. And depending on your landlord, you could be required to pay last month's rent as well.
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So, when looking for an apartment in your price range, you need to make sure you're considering the full cost of securing a place.īefore moving in, you're going to be responsible for paying the security deposit and the first month's rent. We want to make sure that we're taking the proper precautions to protect ourselves, our families, and ultimately, our money. If you're not careful, all of these things could be blamed on you. But after spending a few days living there you realize that the washer isn't working, the fridge isn't cooling, and there's a leak in the ceiling. It's easy to tour a beautiful apartment and fall in love at first sight. But, as always, we want to make sure we're taking measures to safeguard ourselves.

There's a lot to be excited about when renting a new apartment.

Renting also helps you build your credit, allowing for increased savings, and reduced debt if done correctly. So, first and foremost, why actually rent in the first place? Well, renting allows for increased mobility and flexibility as opposed to buying, and also requires less maintenance on behalf of the tenant.
