In the United States, for the most part, apartments are arranged in complexes or buildings, and are individually rented, or leased out. Apartments are also paid for on a month-by-month basis, as opposed to being purchased outright. They took advantage of plummeting rents and signed a lease for a two-bedroom a few blocks away, which kept them close to Mr. Ting’s family. Whether your application is approved or denied, read up on your rights as a renter wherever you live.

Is management generally responsive to issues or does the office staff ignore issues? Does the landlord read reviews and makes improvements based on any tips or suggestions that someone takes the time to post? All of these details can help someone make an informed decision about their next address.

Your guide to apartment searching

In addition to checking your income, landlords may request documents attesting to your character as well as your rental and work history. If you are considering applying to an apartment, you may want to check your credit score. Most landlords will complete a credit check, and apartment buildings you apply to may have credit requirements. For example, an apartment complex may have a minimum credit requirement of 600. The higher your credit score, the higher your chances of getting approved for an apartment. If you have been researching housing options that accept lower income levels, you may have also come across the term income-restricted. It’s important to note that income-restricted properties differ from income-based properties.

These apartments are owned by the city or by private landlords who get government subsidies. Alternatively, you can determine your budget by dividing your annual household salary by 40.

Finding Section 8 apartments for rent can make an already stressful hunt that much more difficult. Around 2 million families live in subsidized units within Section 8 housing and most of these families earn less than $20,000 a year. Experts have noted in the last year that there’s been a boom in rental construction, especially in multifamily apartment buildings.

They check your references

Her work has been featured in USA Today, Travel + Leisure, Midwest Living magazine and other national and regional media outlets. When she’s not out exploring the city with her two children and husband, she’s perfecting her air hockey technique. A review is only as good as the author but apartment reviews that someone takes the time to write and post with great feedback and tips are very helpful. No one wants to move into a place that might have too many problems or that management ignores — those are the kinds of things that pop up in apartment reviews.

Read more about Senior Apartment Rentals here.

Alison is part of the content marketing team and enjoys writing about housing affordability and home interior design ideas. Her dream home is a cottage-style house with a chef’s kitchen and a cozy room to store and play vinyl records. You’ll type into the Search Bar either the city’s name or the zip code (for example, Austin, TX) where you’d like to begin looking for an apartment or rental home. While finding Section 8 housing requires more work to apply and find an apartment, it’ll be well worth it if you end up receiving a voucher. Just remember to follow up if you make it on the waiting list, and keep realistic expectations. Upon receiving your Section 8 voucher, HUD allows 90 days for residents to find a new place that’s decent, safe, sanitary and will pass inspection prior to moving in.

Look for a smaller rental unit

Some neighborhoods are less expensive than others—meaning you could rent the same size apartment for cheaper. You can use the map function on listing sites like Realtor.com to show you price differences.

Whether you’re sticking to a strict rental budget or you’re looking for a pet-friendly rental, there are many reasons why you may be considering renting an apartment or a house. While the average American spends 30% of their income on housing in 2023, this isn’t always possible for young professionals. Often, renters are paying more due to the recent rise in rent prices.

If you find an apartment that ticks all of your boxes and you see yourself living there for a couple of years, consider signing a lease for more than 12 months. If you have a flexible move-in date, consider starting your search in the middle of the month before the month you plan on moving. However, if you have a specific move-in date, you need to start apartment hunting at least two months in advance. Of all the factors that require consideration during apartment hunting, price is by far the most important to many people—especially those on a tight budget. About your inquiry and other home-related matters, but not as a condition of any purchase. MoreYou also agree to our Terms of Use, and to our Privacy Policy regarding the information relating to you. This consent applies even if you are on a corporate, state or national Do Not Call list.

Sure, you could take them out to eat at a restaurant, but what if you want to cook for them? You can rent an apartment with a large kitchen and an impressive dining area to host an intimate social gathering for family and friends.

Alison is part of the content marketing team and enjoys writing about housing affordability and home interior design ideas. Her dream home is a cottage-style house with a chef’s kitchen and a cozy room to store and play vinyl records.

Apartment living is something that many people experience – especially if you’re a first-time renter. But apartment life isn’t for everyone and there are pros and cons to consider. Let’s dive into the common advantages and disadvantages of renting an apartment.

Read Our Rental Guide

Keep reading to learn how to read and write accurate apartment reviews. Writing an apartment review isn’t difficult and can improve accessibility for some in your apartment community. Are renters’ rights protected, for example, or are the units safe and up to code? Because of high demand and low inventory for Section 8 apartments, the waiting list, maintained by the housing authority, can take years — the length and wait-time depend on your local market. If the PHA decides that your family is eligible, you’re added to this list. If you’re interested in this program, you need to meet the requirements, which include family status and size, gross income, citizenship status, criminal history and eviction history.

Reading and knowing how to evaluate reviews can save you time and money in the long run. A well-written review that highlights key issues is a possible deal breaker, while one that mentions amenities and benefits can seal the deal.

Financial & work history

In the end, property managers want a tenant who will make payments on time and be a positive, respectful member of their community. Especially in colder climates, property managers may ask that you move during warmer months to reduce the risk of damage to the apartment building. First off, the landlord or property manager may not be the person giving your tour. So you may have to set up a separate meeting with them to discuss your application. Other income-based programs through the federal government include Section 42 housing and Section 8 housing.

Tips to Ensure You Get Your Security Deposit Back

In addition to checking your income, landlords may request documents attesting to your character as well as your rental and work history. Most people, even young professionals, have some sort of credit history. If you’re new to the workforce and don’t yet have much to show for it, many rentals will look the other way on this as long as you have proof of employment and income. However, if you have bad or low credit you might want to head it off at the pass by offering to co-sign on the lease with a person who has good credit, like a parent. That way, if you default on payments, the property can get the payment from the co-signer. Ideally, the property wants to see that your monthly take-home pay is three times as much as the monthly rent.

Read more about Senior Apartment Rentals here.

It’s important to note that income-restricted properties differ from income-based properties. An income-based apartment caps the rent price of eligible renters to 30% of their adjusted gross income. Once they know that you make enough money to afford the place, the landlord needs to know that you’ll actually pay rent when it’s due. When you fill out the apartment application, you give them permission to do so. That depends on the size and location of the apartment, as well as the amenities it includes.

Whether your application is approved or denied, read up on your rights as a renter wherever you live. Some property management companies use third parties to process apartment applications, which unfortunately lengthens the approval process. Once you hit submit on your apartment application, you may wonder, how long do apartment applications take to process?

The federal government pays a monetary incentive to the property manager, covering a portion of the operating costs. If the property manager wants to receive these incentives, the individual must allocate a minimum of 20% of properties in an apartment or group complex to the program. While eligibility requirements vary, the renter must earn 50% less than the area’s median gross income level. The rent price cannot be more than 30% of a renter’s adjusted gross income. A lease is a legally binding contract, laying out the rules agreed upon between the landlord or property owner and you, the tenant.