Looking to rent a house or apartment? Follow these tips to help you get the place that you want.

• • Be Prepared. You should consider that speaking with a prospective landlord is like a job interview. The more prepared and organized you are, as well as the more enthusiastic you are, the better your chances. Don’t wait for the landlord to ask you to acquire certain paperwork or information. Go prepared. Present the landlord with a packet including a copy of your credit report, letters of reference, and a short resume about yourself – why you are moving, etc…
  • Make sure it is all in writing. Don’t think for a moment that if during your walkthrough you notice a missing cover to the inside doorbell that when you vacate the property that you will not be charged for it. The walkthrough is your time to have everything noted, because you telling the landlord when you are vacating that it was like that when you moved in will not work. Furthermore, any other promises or guarantees MUST be in writing.
  • Know your rights. The moment you sign that lease and have the keys, you now have rights to your home and those rights can not be infringed upon by the landlord.
  • Repairs. It is your right, unless specifically noted in lease, to have a working and operational rental unit. If something breaks then request to have it repaired.

Remember, no matter where you go we’ve got you covered with Renter’s insurance.