Renting for the first time can be filled with hesitation and the unknown. In an effort to help you know what to expect when renting for the first time we’ve devised the following tips:

Determine what type of apartment home you would like.
Take the following into consideration:
   Type: Apartment, Loft, Town home,  location
   Size: How many bedrooms do you need?
   Price: What can you afford and what will you qualify to afford

Check out the property management company and the services offered at the community you are interested in. Customer satisfaction is key to a successful living experience.

Understand the following application criteria by checking with the community you are considering living at:
   Income requirements
   Criminal background check
   Credit check
   Rental history
   What if I’m not accepted?

Understand start-up and ongoing costs including:
   Cable
   Phone installation
   Internet services
   Cleaning supplies and products
   Electric
   Heat (if not included)
   Water, Sewer & Trash (if not included)
   Moving costs

Find out how the community you are considering handles maintenance, should anything in your home need repair. Also find out how quickly they respond and what the procedure is for a resident emergency.