Tips and Resources for Every Step of Your Rental Journey

3. Living in Your Apartment

Once you’re in your rental, you’ll want to make sure the experience remains positive. You can do this by keeping your living space clean and up-to-date and maintaining a good relationship with your landlord:

• Keep up with maintenance and repairs. Your lease agreement should outline who is responsible for making repairs and performing maintenance in your unit. Make sure you keep track of any needed repairs and report them to your landlord in a timely fashion.
• Keep an open line of communication. Communicating proactively with your landlord about potential changes — from painting or decorating to adding a roommate — can prevent future disputes.
• Follow the property rules.Your landlord may have policies for items such as maximum occupancy, eviction, quiet hours, smoking, parking, pets, landlord right of entry or maintenance worker access. Make sure you understand and follow these policies from the start.

4. Moving Out of Your Apartment

When it comes time to leave your apartment, there are several steps you should take:

• Provide adequate notice. Your lease should include instructions on how and when you are required to inform your landlord that you plan to move out, often 30-60 days before you plan to move out.
• Get your security deposit back. If you were required to put down a security deposit when you moved in, you should make sure you request to get it back. This should not be an issue if you keep up with the maintenance of your apartment and clean thoroughly before moving out.
• Understand the consequences of breaking your lease. If you are in a situation that requires you to break your lease early, you should understand that there may be fees or penalties involved, but there are steps you can take for a more positive outcome.

5. Getting Help

Throughout your rental journey, you may run into challenges that require outside help. Whether you are struggling financially or having issues with your property, taking the…