Searching for a rental
- Know your total cost. Rent plus fees, deposit, utilities and parking. Ask for the full fee list in writing.
- Use rentals-focused sites. Apartments.com, Zumper and HotPads, then Zillow for houses and small landlords.
- See it before you pay. Visit in person or ask for a live video tour of the actual unit.
- Confirm who owns it. Ask for the landlord or property manager’s name and check the county owner record.
- Read the lease. Term, renewal, fees, repairs and how the deposit is handled.
Rental scam checklist
Fraudulent rental listings are widely reported by consumer protection agencies. Warning signs:
- The rent is far below similar homes nearby.
- The “owner” is out of town and cannot show the home.
- You are asked to pay a deposit, application fee or first month by wire, gift card, cryptocurrency or payment app before seeing the unit.
- The listing is copied from another site, with a different contact.
- Pressure to decide today.
If something feels wrong, stop paying and report it to your state attorney general and the Federal Trade Commission.
Need help finding one?
We can search and check rentals for you and send a vetted shortlist. See our search help.