Council of the day. How not to overpay for rental housing in the US

Have you found a new home? Perfectly! Now open your wallet.

No, you don't have to save thousands of dollars for a down payment or other costs. But renting an apartment will definitely put a dent in your wallet. It all depends on where you plan to live and whether you have a pet. For pets, experts say, you need to fork out extra money. Here are Time's tips on what to be prepared for.
We remind you that the Forum wrote detailed instructions on how to rent an apartment with minimal expenditure of money, nerves and time. Read in this article Other Russian-speaking tips.

Broker Fee

Whether you need a broker or not depends on where you are going to live. In some large cities it is very difficult to find a landlord directly. Intermediaries usually take an amount equal to the monthly payment, or 15% of the annual rent. Depending on the time of year you can bargain. In winter, payment is usually lower. One more thing. In new buildings, landlords can pay brokers themselves.

Entrance fee

You may have to pay for credit and criminal history checks. If you are looking for housing in such super-narrow rental markets as Manhattan and San Francisco, where good or affordable apartments can be sold out on the same day, it is better to prepare a credit certificate in advance. Then it will be easier for you to convince everyone that you are a worthy candidate. Once a year, you can get a free credit report from credit rating companies - Equifax, Experian, and Transunion.

Bail

You got a seat. Amazing! Now reopen your wallet. You need to pay a deposit. It is equal to the cost of either one or two months of residence.

Домашние животные

Dog owners may be asked to fork out for an additional deposit. Or pay a fee for a veterinary check on your animal. Even if you are allowed to keep pets in a rented apartment, it is important to check the rental agreement. Suddenly there will be restrictions on the size or breed of dogs.

Fee you don't have to pay

Do not give money for simply viewing the apartment. Experts say this is a classic scam.