WiseRent

WiseRent is a free renter education site with checklists and hints for apartment hunting, applications, leases, move-in inspections, security deposits, renters insurance, tenant rights and moving day. It is educational only and is not legal advice.

Be wary of any listing where the landlord can't show the unit in person, asks for a deposit or rent by wire transfer, gift card or payment app before you've seen it, or prices the rental far below similar places nearby. Verify who owns the property and never pay before you've toured and signed a real lease.

Yes — documenting the unit's condition on move-in day is the best way to protect your security deposit later. Walk every room with a checklist, take dated photos and video, and consider an independent inspection such as Spot Inspection.

Your landlord's insurance generally covers the building, not your belongings or your personal liability, so renters insurance is how renters protect their own things. Some leases require it; compare policies with a licensed agent.

Document the unit's condition at move-in and move-out, fix or clean anything beyond normal wear and tear, return every key, and give your landlord a forwarding address in writing. Deadlines and rules for returning deposits vary by state.

Visit Our companies at wiserent.org/partners for the sister sites we point renters to — insurance, move-in inspections, the contacts.plus directory and more.