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        • Renting 101- Secrets to Finding your Ideal Rental
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Renting 101

Tips and Advice for First Time Renters and Tenants Signing Their First Lease

By Dave Fleming, published February 4, 2021. Updated March 2, 2022.
1. Budget
Bear in mind the monthly rent won't be your only expense. You'll have to account for other expenses such as utilities, renter's insurance, furnishings, and miscellaneous items like curtains. This helpful calculator can give you a general estimate of what you can afford, but every situation is different. When reviewing your lease, take note of fines and fees. If they are high, and you have any concerns you might not be able to afford rent, be very cautious about getting in too deep.

2. Read Your Lease Thoroughly
This may seem obvious, but too many people excited to move into their rental put ink to paper without the proper attention to detail. Ideally, the landlord or Realtor will will review the lease in detail with you to make sure everybody is on the same page. Regardless, you should be sure to read through everything at least once to make sure there are no surprises or expectations you cannot or don't want to meet.

3. Get Renter's Insurance
Even if your landlord doesn't require it, I highly recommend you sign up for a renter's insurance policy. Not only does it protect your valuables and you and your guests from liability, but often, when bundled with car or other insurance policies, it will be cheap or even free after discounts. Renter's insurance is one of those things you hope you'll never need, but if you do it's a life saver.

4. Plan Your Move
  • Speak to the landlord about move-in options. Some will allow you to start moving in early if a rental is vacant - a way to lower the stress of your move with a simple question. When do you do an initial inspection? How and when do you convert utilities?  Are you meeting at an office first or will you meet directly at the rental? Is there any information or payments required to move in, for example, proof of insurance.
  • Enlist help from friends to make moving day easier, but make sure you're packed and prepared when help arrives. The last thing people sacrificing their day to help you move want is to watch you pack.
  • Pack, organize, and secure help or transportation well ahead of time. There are tons of tools online to help preparing for a move, big or small, far or near.

5. Do Your Own Inspection
Sometimes the excitement and stress of moving can leave you holding the bag on issues with your rental you didn't notice at your showing or note at the initial inspection. Take lots of pictures when you move in of things as small as paint on a window pane or stain in a tub. Even if you don't want the landlord to address an issue, it's important to document it in writing and photo to ensure you won't be charged for damage you didn't cause. You could be doing your final inspection with a different owner or Realtor, so having proof of what the place looked like at move-in is essential. Send a detailed list of all pre-existing problems to your landlord within 24 hours of moving in. Make sure to notify the landlord immediately if problems come up in the first few weeks. Seemingly minimal issues such as slow drains, dripping faucets, noisy neighbors, etc. could become urgent issues down the road.

I hope this provided some useful information for your first lease signing. Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or suggestions for my Renting 101 pages. Thanks for reading!

Check out this similar article on Understanding Your Lease Agreement.

Next Article: Renting 101 Rental Search Tips 

Check out all my FREE Tenant Resources Here

I am always expanding this collection with rental resources I think will be useful to renters.
If you know of a resource that might be useful, please submit it for consideration. Thanks!
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  • Residential Rentals
    • Downtown Carlisle 1bd apartment for rent including most utilities
    • Mayapple Village 5bd 3.5ba rental w heated pool & 3-car garage
    • 48 Parker St - 2bd 1ba Second Floor apartment in quiet neighborhood
    • 49 S Bedford St, Apt 1 - downtown Carlisle 1bd 1ba near law school
    • 117 W Pomfret St - 3bd 1.5ba historic home with fenced yard
    • 133 W Louther St - Historic downtown Carlisle 4bd 2ba house for rent.
    • 136 W Church Ave - 1bd 1ba for rent in downtown Carlisle near Dickinson Law School
    • 148 W Pomfret St - 4bd 2.5ba downtown Carlisle house for rent - Furnished!
    • 170 E North St - 2 bedroom downtown Carlisle house for rent with laundry and fenced yard
    • 424 Croghan Dr - Pet friendly Carlisle rental with garage and fenced yard
    • 805 Hamilton St, Apt 1 - Furnished studio near army war college
    • Nothing Suitable? Check out these FREE Search Tips
  • Property Management
    • Property Management Services
    • Pricing for Carlisle Management
    • Over 15 Years of Experience
    • Property Management FAQ
    • Tips to find the right Property Manager >
      • 7 Tips to Find the Best Property Manager
      • Property Manager vs Self Manage
      • Landlord's Guide to Hiring a Property Manager
      • 20 Qs to ask a Property Manager
      • Self Manage vs Hiring a Manager
    • Landlord Resources
  • Testimonials
  • More
    • Join the Mailing List
    • Tenant Resources >
      • Tenant Portal >
        • Tenant Maintenance Request
        • Tenant Survey
        • Tenant Exit Survey
      • Renting 101: Free Tips for Tenants! >
        • Renting 101- Tips for First Time Renters
        • Renting 101- Tips for Military Renters
        • Renting 101- General Rental Search Tips
        • Renting 101- Carlisle Rental Search Tips
        • Renting 101- Attending Showings
        • Renting 101- Secrets to Finding your Ideal Rental
        • Renting 101- Spring Tips for Tenants
        • Renting 101- Winter Tips for Tenants
        • More Tenant Tips >
          • Organizing Your Home
      • Military Renter & PCS Tips
      • Crime Data
      • School District Info
    • Landlord Resources >
      • Top 10 Resources for Owners of Rental Properties
      • Dave's Client Resources
      • Should I Rent or Sell My Home?
    • Commercial For Lease >
      • Business Space for Lease
      • Office space for lease
      • Retail space for lease in Downtown Carlisle, PA
    • Applicant Criteria
    • Application to Rent
    • Referral Program
    • Homeowner 101
    • Buy
    • Sell
    • Rental Management
    • Real Estate Brokerage Website
    • Contact Dave