Renting 101
17 articles
How to get your full Security Deposit back
Your deposit is your money, held in trust. Here is how to document the unit, avoid deductions, and get every dollar back…
Understanding your Lease: The Terms to check before you sign
A lease is a binding contract, and the fine print is where renters lose money. Here are the specific clauses to read clo…
How to Negotiate your rent, and how to know when you have Leverage
Rent negotiation is less about confidence than about conditions. You have real leverage where supply is rising and rents…
What You Need to Apply for an Apartment: Documents, Fees, and the Process
From photo ID and pay stubs to the 3x income rule and screening timelines, here is exactly what landlords ask for and ho…
Paying rent with a credit card can cost renters more than $700 a year
Card processing fees on rent typically run 2.5% to 3%, so paying a $1,951 rent by card costs about $57 extra every month…
How Much Rent Can You Afford? The 30% Rule and the Salary Math
A $60,000 salary affords about $1,500 in rent and $100,000 affords $2,500. Here is the full salary-to-rent ladder, plus …
Pet rent can add $800 to $1,400 to a renter’s first-year costs
Pet rent commonly runs $25 to $75 a month per animal, and a one-time deposit or fee adds $200 to $500, so the first year…
How Much Does Rent Go Up Each Year? What Counts as a Normal Increase
Most renters see a single-digit increase at renewal. Here is what counts as a normal annual rent hike, using RentDataNow…
Paying Rent on Time Does Nothing for Your Credit Unless Someone Reports It
Years of on-time rent can still leave you with a thin credit file, because most landlords never report payments to the c…
The True Cost of Renting: Why Rent Is Only Part of Your Monthly Bill
The rent line is only the start. See how utilities, insurance, deposits, and fees turn a $1,951 rent into a $2,300-plus …
Rent Isn't Deductible on Your Federal Return, but Some States Pay Renters Back
There's no federal deduction for the rent you pay on your own home, though a number of states run renter credits and reb…
The Best Time of Year to Rent an Apartment, From Our Rent Data
The pace of rent increases is smallest in late fall and winter and fastest in spring, which makes October through Januar…
Studio vs. One-Bedroom: Is the Upgrade Worth the Money?
In some cities the jump from a studio to a one-bedroom is nearly free; in others it costs hundreds a month. Here is the …
Splitting Rent With a Roommate: How Much You Save in Every Big City
Renting a one-bedroom solo is expensive. Splitting a two-bedroom with a roommate saves $700 to $1,200 a month in the pri…
Renters Insurance: What It Covers and Whether You Actually Need It
For roughly $15 to $20 a month, renters insurance protects thousands of dollars of belongings and shields you from a lia…
What Is a Good Rent-to-Income Ratio?
The 30 percent rule is the standard rent benchmark, but it is measured against gross income and many renters in expensiv…
What Credit Score Do You Need to Rent an Apartment?
Many landlords look for a score around 620 to 670 or higher, but income, rental history, and a few smart moves matter ju…