Leaving the family nest and striking out on your own is an exciting but potentially overwhelming process.
Renting an apartment is one of the first things to tackle when moving out on your own. Like most things in life, being well prepared can make the process much easier and more successful. This first time renter’s guide will take you through everything you need to know about finding the right apartment for you.
If you are renting an apartment on your own for the first time, start by figuring out how much rent you can afford. This exercise is a really good way to get a clear understanding of how far your income will stretch for all your expenses, including rent, utilities, insurance, food, gas and any other debt payments you need to cover.
The average rent on one-bedroom apartments rose by about 3 percent nationally in 2019.
Most financial experts recommend that you spend no more than 30 percent of your gross (before tax) monthly income on housing. Many landlords state on rental applications that they want an applicant’s gross income to be three times greater than the rent.
The 50-20-30 rule is not just for renters. This is an overall budgeting recommendation for spending your after-tax income on specific expenses. According to this rule, 50 percent of your net income should go toward "needs" like rent and bills (such as utilities and insurance, car expenses, etc.), 20 percent towards savings and 30 percent towards "wants" like shopping, eating out, entertainment, hobbies and vacations.
Would a studio, one-bedroom or two-bedroom be best for you? If you are planning on living by yourself, can you manage a studio? Living in a little less space will typically cost you less with everything, including rent, utilities and furnishings. Saving a couple hundred dollars a month can help keep your budget on track.
On the other hand, If you are planning on having a roommate, the additional expense of a larger place can be offset by sharing the cost of rent as well as expenses like utilities and groceries.
When picking a location to live, think about these five things:
Since this is the first time you are renting, your potential landlord or rental agent will be using your application and the documents you provide to predict what kind of renter you will be.
This is not an exhaustive list, but a good guide for documents you will almost always need:
Along with your application, you will need to:
Once you have a handle on how much you can afford for rent and some solid options for apartment communities, it’s time to fill out a rental application. You can expect the application to have questions about your current job and salary, where you have lived before and if you have a co-signer.
Some rental markets — like San Francisco, New York City and Los Angeles — are very competitive. If you find the apartment you want, don’t delay in getting the application started, and you can expect competition.
In general, the higher the rent, the higher your credit score will need to be. If you have been paying your credit cards or car payment on time each month, that’s a good indicator to a landlord that you will be able to manage your rent payment.
If you don’t have a perfect credit score, you can still get an apartment, but you will need to go the extra mile to prove to your potential landlord you can pay your rent on time.
Read more: Can You Rent An Apartment With Bad Credit
Simply put, a lease is an agreement between a renter and the landlord that spells out the conditions of the rental, including when the lease is up, rent per month, leasing terms, when the rent payment is due and renewal or termination terms. State laws regulating leases are varied, which means leases vary too. It’s important to take the time to read and understand the lease before you sign it.
Leases can vary in term length but are typically one year or month-to-month. All the financial terms of the lease will be spelled out, including specifics on the security deposit required, if pets are allowed and any fees associated and how late fees are handled. The lease typically spells out the apartment complex regulations for parking, guests, pets, keys, painting and decorating, smoking and subletting. Most leases also require residents to have renters insurance.
A security deposit is required by most landlords for protection in case their tenants fail to pay rent or cause damage to the property beyond normal wear and tear. Typically, a security deposit is equal to one months’ rent. If you keep your apartment in good condition, your security deposit (or a portion of it depending on state law) should be returned to you within a certain time frame after you move out.
Although renting your first apartment takes some effort, doing your homework ahead of time can help simplify and shorten your search and smooth out the process one you are ready to apply. If you are renting in a major city, Apartment Guide can help prioritize your search to get to your shortlist fast with search tools. Also, be sure to read first-hand reviews from other renters to get the real pros and cons of an apartment community from a renters’ perspective.