How to rent a home in 10 steps

Before you buy a home, you likely first will rent an apartment.

From college houses to first apartments and maybe first homes, renting is how many Americans begin their real estate journey. Renting may be the only option financially until you are able to buy a home. At Homes.com and on Apartments.com, users can search for all types of rental properties. But finding the most ideal home still takes time and consideration.

One of the best perks of renting is that it is temporary. There are fewer ties holding you in one spot when you are renting, so it's easier to try something or somewhere new.

Here are 10 steps to finding a rental property that meets where you are in life.

Finding a new apartment can take time, and even after you’ve settled on a place, signing a lease isn’t the final step. Many landlords will check your credit or run a detailed tenant screening report to assess your overall reliability as a renter.

Higher credit scores work in your favor. Experian, one of the credit bureaus, notes that a score of 670 or higher signals to the landlord that you’re a reliable borrower and less likely to miss your rent payments. Still, credit scores can vary based on factors such as the region, the property, rent level and even your income.

Some real estate attorneys advise you to check your credit score to ensure its accuracy.

Heather Steele, partner at Altmiller Melnick DeMers Steele & Rosati PLC, in Tysons, Virginia, told Homes.com that consumers can dispute errors directly with the credit bureau and submit a statement that becomes part of the credit file.

It's worth noting that most landlords require applicants to pay for fees, so it may be helpful to limit how many apartments you apply for. And some tenant checks are hard inquiries, which can temporarily lower your credit score.

Before jumping into apartment hunting, you should make sure you have a realistic monthly budget. Running the numbers now can keep you from getting stretched too thin by housing costs. The 30% Rule offers a starting point; it suggests spending no more than 30% of your gross monthly income on rent.

Also, consider creating a practical monthly budget using your take-home pay, which is after all taxes are taken out.

A common method could be the 50/30/20 rule:

• 50% of your income for essentials (rent, utilities, groceries, transportation costs)  
•  30% for wants (dining out, entertainment, fun purchases)   
• 20% for savings and debt repayment   

Remember that your budget should be flexible. Look beyond the listed rent price to understand the true cost of the apartment — including utilities, renters insurance, parking and other building fees. Prices typically are higher in big cities, but they can vary widely outside major metros.

Where you live matters. And when looking for a place to rent, knowing what neighborhood, borough or even street will fit your lifestyle best is a good place to narrow the search.

Everyone has different priorities for an ideal location.

“The best way to find a neighborhood to rent in would be to determine your needs,” said Colleen Yeager, chief operating officer of Quinn Residences, based in Atlanta, Georgia. “Is it school because you have children? Is the time commuting to work a consideration?”

If you are a student, you may want to be close to campus, and if you are working, you may want to be close to the office. If you are a parent, school districts are important. And if you have a dog, having a place to walk it is important.

For renters moving to a new city, researching neighborhoods is a good place to start. Visiting in person is the best way to scope out the area. If you are able, visit more than once and try and go at different times of the day to see what traffic and noise levels are like. But if that's not possible, turn to online resources like Homes.com’s neighborhood guides. Social media is also a great source for learning about cities.

With the temporary nature of renting, finding a unit that meets your needs is important. You also can try to find an apartment that meets your wants.

When narrowing your search for a rental unit, you will need to come up with a list of “must-haves.” This can go beyond two bedrooms and one bathroom. Must-haves can be anything from covered parking to a secure package room to a place with an abundance of natural light. Whatever you think is important is a must-have.

“I think some good features to look out for would be laundry in the building or in-unit, or central air,” said Kyle Davis, senior real estate agent at EXR in New York City. “Those usually indicate management has at least updated the spaces.”

Write out a list of what you find important and rank the items from most important to least. This list will help you naturally narrow down the search and find a place that works for you. However, in highly competitive rental markets with high demand and low supply, you will need to narrow down the list to what is absolutely necessary. Sometimes must-haves will need to be sacrificed to meet your budget.

Now, take your location and list of must-haves and begin to search online. Most real estate listing websites, like Homes.com and Apartments.com, have a long list of filters users can set to narrow their search. Start with location, number of bedrooms and rent price.

Depending on how expensive the rental market is, you will have less or more ability to filter your other must-haves. With your ranked list of must-haves, start putting in new parameters and see what the results are. Look for qualities in the unit first, like the laundry.

Once you find places that meet your needs, take time to examine the online listing. Photos, videos and virtual tours can help you get a sense of the apartment’s layout and condition.

“When you’re viewing a property online, the biggest red flags are listings that feel vague, overly perfect or too good to be true,” said Deborah Pisaro, owner of the real estate company Coastline 840, based in Los Angeles, California. “A price that’s far below the neighborhood average without a clear explanation is a common warning sign, as are listings with only a few photos or photos that avoid showing the kitchen, bathroom or closets. Be cautious if the description feels generic or doesn’t match what the photos show, or if the location is oddly unclear.”

After examining the images and reading the description, make a list of the properties you want to see in person. Find a day or two that you can tour the units and schedule the appointments in about one-hour intervals.

Once you are touring rental properties, the process of signing a lease agreement can go very quickly, especially in competitive markets. Since you have set your must-haves list and researched online before the tour, you should have a pretty good idea of what the unit is like. The in-person tour is about making sure what was advertised is true. Units may look amazing online but have a funny smell, thin walls and pest issues that are not visible in photos. You should always tour a unit before signing a lease.

When you are inspecting, don’t be afraid to look in the closets, cabinets and the appliances. Ask questions, too. Ask about the building’s history and whether there have been any security or pest issues recently and how they were addressed.

Observe the noise level and temperature in the apartment. Turn on the water and check for heat and pressure. Flip on the lights and make sure all appliances are hooked up and running. Measure the walls.

If the building has amenities, be sure to see them on the tour. Also check the stairwell and hallways for signs of neglect or damage.

Before signing the lease, it’s important to understand the terms in the agreement. Remember that a lease document is a legally binding contract that defines your rights and responsibilities.

This contract will spell out key information like the monthly rent amount, the length of your stay and details about your security deposit. This is essential because the lease protects both parties. If there’s ever confusion, you can refer back to the agreement for clarity.

Don't overlook the fine print. Small details can lead to big costs or legal issues, so read closely and ask questions before signing.

Experts warn renters to look for vague language, hidden fees or unclear maintenance responsibilities. These can lead to disputes or unexpected costs later.

To avoid losing the apartment to other applicants, gather the required documents in advance, including a valid ID, proof of income (paystubs, W-2s, bank statements, tax returns), contact information of previous landlords, employment verification letters, pet information if relevant.

Being prepared lets you move quickly when the right place comes along. Keeping digital copies ready can help speed up the process significantly. Application fees typically range from $25 to $100 and cover the cost of running background and credit checks. In some states, these fees are regulated.

Landlords want to know if you're a reliable renter. Strong references can boost your application, especially for first-time renters. Letters from past landlords, employers, professors or other credible contacts can help, and having a co-signer may also make it easier to meet the landlord's requirements.

Once you sign a lease, you’re legally bound to it.

There’s no built-in grace period to change your mind. You can end the agreement early only if the lease includes an early-termination clause or if specific legal exceptions apply such as active-duty military orders or habitability issues.

If none of these options apply, a tenant may be able to negotiate with the landlord, Steele said. However, moving out early doesn't automatically end a tenant's financial responsibility. Landlords are required to make a reasonable effort to re-rent the unit and tenants remain responsible for that rent until a new tenant is found.

Lastly, renters should never overlook key details like automatic renewals, notice periods and penalties. It’s essential to understand the written lease before signing, because what’s on the document is what ultimately matters.

Moving into a rental can be complicated. With buildings often restricting the days or time you can move in, the process requires planning.

One of the biggest factors in a multi-story apartment building is whether there is an elevator or only stairs. If you are able to reserve one of the elevators while moving, it can make the process go faster. If you have only stairs, then plan for extra help to lift the large items. In urban areas, parking a moving truck can be tricky, so ask about reserved parking, a loading zone or city permits.

Before you move in, try to plan where your furniture will go. Designate an area where you can put boxes out of the way so you can move your furniture in easily. Once the large pieces like beds, couches and dressers are in place, it will be easier to unpack.

When unloading, it’s important to be careful not to damage the unit because the cost of repairs will be taken out of the security deposit when you move out.

“Take photos or video of the apartment’s condition before unloading anything — floors, walls, doors, appliances and existing damage,” said Ashlyn Kreshel, director of operations at UniMovers, a moving company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, that specializes in rental properties.

Once you have moved in, try to minimize the wear and tear to preserve the security deposit. Use renter-friendly tools like removable mounting strips, peel-and-stick wallpaper and tension rods to keep holes out of the wall.

More on this topic:

• How does rent-to-own work?
• What to look for when touring a rental home
• How to search online for rental homes