Find and secure your first apartment without overpaying or signing a bad lease. Covers budgeting, apartment search, applications, lease review, move-in inspection, and utilities setup.
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Budget & Financial Prep
Calculate your maximum monthly rent
Follow the 30% rule: spend no more than 30% of your gross monthly income on rent. If you earn $4,000/month gross, your max rent is $1,200. In high-cost cities, 35-40% is common but leaves little room for savings.
Add up your gross monthly income from all sources
Multiply by 0.30 to get your target rent ceiling
Estimate total move-in costs
Most apartments require first month's rent, a security deposit (typically 1 month's rent), and sometimes last month's rent upfront. Budget an additional $500-$2,000 for moving supplies, utility deposits, and basic furnishings.
Save for security deposit (1-2 months' rent)
Save for first month's rent
Set aside $500-$2,000 for move-in essentials
Check your credit score
Most landlords require a score of 620+ for approval. Pull your free report at annualcreditreport.com and dispute any errors at least 30 days before applying. If your score is low, prepare to offer a larger deposit or find a co-signer.
Prepare proof of income documents
Landlords typically require proof of income 2.5-3x the monthly rent. Have your last 3 pay stubs, a recent bank statement, and an employment verification letter ready before you start touring apartments.
Gather last 3 pay stubs
Get a letter of employment from your employer
Prepare a recent bank statement
Apartment Search
Define your must-haves and deal-breakers
Separate non-negotiables (max commute time, in-unit laundry, pet policy) from nice-to-haves (balcony, dishwasher, gym). Focus your search on the 3-4 things that matter most — you won't find a perfect apartment at a first-apartment budget.
Search listings across multiple platforms
Check rental listing sites, local classifieds, and neighborhood-specific social media groups. Listings from property management companies tend to be more reliable than individual posts. Start searching 30-45 days before your target move date.
Tour at least 5 apartments in person
Photos lie. Visit in person and check water pressure, phone signal, outlets in every room, and closet/storage space. Visit once during the day and once in the evening to gauge noise levels and parking availability.
Test water pressure and hot water wait time
Check cell phone signal in every room
Count electrical outlets and check they work
Open all closets and cabinets to check for damage or mold
Research the neighborhood
Walk the surrounding blocks. Check the distance to the nearest grocery store, public transit, and laundromat (if no in-unit laundry). Look up crime statistics for the specific address, not just the zip code.
Ask current tenants about their experience
Application & Lease
Submit your rental application quickly
Good apartments go fast — apply the same day you tour if you like it. Application fees are typically $30-$75 and non-refundable. Have all your documents (ID, pay stubs, bank statement, references) ready to upload immediately.
Pay the application fee
Upload all required documents
Provide 2-3 references (previous landlords, employer, personal)
Read the entire lease before signing
Pay special attention to: lease term, renewal terms, early termination fees, rent increase provisions, guest policies, and maintenance request procedures. If something is unclear, ask in writing before signing. A standard lease is 8-15 pages.
Verify rent amount, due date, and accepted payment methods
Check the early termination clause and penalties
Confirm what utilities are included vs. your responsibility
Review pet, subletting, and guest policies
Negotiate lease terms if possible
Negotiation works best during off-peak months (November-February) or when a unit has been listed 30+ days. Ask for a lower rent, waived fees, a free parking spot, or a shorter lease term. The worst they can say is no.
Get renter's insurance
Costs $15-$30/month and covers your belongings if stolen, damaged by fire, or water. Many landlords require it. A typical policy covers $20,000-$30,000 in personal property and $100,000 in liability.
Move-In Inspection & Setup
Document the apartment condition before unpacking
Take timestamped photos and video of every room, wall, floor, appliance, and fixture before moving anything in. Email these to your landlord the same day. This is your proof if they try to withhold your deposit at move-out.
Photograph every wall, floor, and ceiling
Record video walkthroughs of each room
Note existing damage on the move-in condition form
Email photos and notes to your landlord
Test all appliances and fixtures
Run the stove, oven, dishwasher, and garbage disposal
Flush all toilets and check for running/leaks
Test every light switch and outlet
Set up utilities in your name
Call utility companies 1-2 weeks before move-in to schedule service start dates. You'll need your lease and a government-issued ID. Ask your landlord which providers service the building — in some areas you don't have a choice.
Set up electricity
Set up gas (if applicable)
Set up internet service
Collect all keys, fobs, and access codes
Locate the circuit breaker, water shutoff, and fire extinguisher
Know where these are before you need them. Ask your landlord or building manager to show you during move-in. Label circuits in the breaker box if they aren't already labeled.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents do I need to rent my first apartment?
Prepare government-issued photo ID, last 2-3 pay stubs (or an employment offer letter if starting a new job), bank statements showing sufficient savings for move-in costs, a completed rental application, and contact information for 2-3 references (previous landlords, employer, or personal references). First-time renters without rental history may need a co-signer or guarantor — parents commonly fill this role, and they'll need to provide their own income documentation and credit consent. Having all documents ready in a digital folder lets you submit applications within hours of finding a unit, which matters in competitive rental markets.
What is a good credit score to rent an apartment?
Most landlords look for a credit score of 620 or above, though requirements vary — luxury buildings may require 700+, while individual landlords and smaller properties are often more flexible with scores in the 580-620 range. If your credit score is below 620, offering a larger security deposit (2 months instead of 1), prepaying several months of rent upfront, or providing a co-signer can overcome the credit gap. Check your credit report for free at annualcreditreport.com and dispute any errors before applying — removing a single incorrect late payment or collection account can raise your score 20-50 points.
How do I spot rental scams when apartment hunting?
Red flags include listings priced 20-30% below market rate for the area, landlords who won't show the unit in person (claiming to be "out of the country"), requests for security deposits or application fees via wire transfer, Zelle, or cryptocurrency, and listings that use photos stolen from other real estate sites. Never send money before seeing the apartment in person and verifying the person you're dealing with owns or manages the property. Cross-reference the property address with county tax records (most counties have free online lookup) to confirm the owner's name matches who you're communicating with.
What questions should I ask a landlord before signing a lease?
Ask about the total move-in cost broken down line by line, what utilities are included versus tenant-paid, the landlord's policy on maintenance requests and typical response time, whether the lease allows subletting or early termination, and what happened with the previous tenant (why they left and how long they lived there). Inquire about planned rent increases at renewal — some landlords lock in the same rate for returning tenants, while others raise rent 3-8% annually regardless of market conditions. Ask to see the actual lease before the day you're expected to sign it so you have time to read every clause without pressure.