After you sign your lease and move into your new home, remember, your rental is still the landlord's property.
Lifestyle and Flexibility Renting suits those who value the freedom to move on short notice. On the other hand, leasing is better for those seeking a stable, long-term home and are willing to commit to a fixed period.
While it's your responsibility to keep the apartment you're renting in good condition while you're living there, you do not technically own it.. the landlord/complex is just leasing the space to you for X amount of time.
Signing a lease is a pivotal step for both landlords and renters. Once all is signed on the dotted line, both parties will be contractually bound for the duration of their rental lease term. Given their significance and legal parameters, lease agreements might seem daunting for a first-time landlord.
You will sign the lease before the lease start date and before moving in. This is often a few weeks or up to a few months beforehand. Before signing the lease, make sure to review the terms, conditions, and duration of the lease. A lease is a legally binding agreement.
Renting an apartment isn't as easy as waltzing in and saying “I'll take it!”—particularly in today's competitive rental market. With many prospective tenants to choose from, landlords can be picky, and they will prioritize applicants with a track record of paying off debts and respecting their neighbors and community.
Renting, especially on a short-term basis, can sometimes come with higher monthly costs due to the increased flexibility it offers the landlord. For instance, a studio apartment for rent on a month-to-month basis might be more expensive per month than the same apartment under a lease agreement.
While it's certainly possible to find an apartment on your own within a week, in hot markets like San Francisco, CA, and Chicago, IL, it often helps to work with a real estate agent or apartment broker, who have access to pre-vacancy lists and can take you into an apartment while someone is still living there.