What kind of rental unit do you want to live in?

• studio, 1, 2, 3, or 4 bedroom apartment
• suite or apartment in private home
• room in a shared house
• room in private home

What are your transportation needs?

• within walking distance
• within biking distance
• on a T-Cat Bus Route
• proximity to a shopping center or a job site

What features are essential?

• dishwasher
• washer and dryer in the unit
• air conditioning (room units or central air)
• cable and internet capabilities
• off-street parking
• furniture included
• handicapped accessibility
• private room and/or bath
• smoking (or not)
• pets permitted

What are your financial means?

• Living with others can lower housing expenses.
• Rooms in a student or private house tend to be the least expensive.
• Include the cost of renting or purchasing furniture, if needed.
• When calculating your maximum affordable rent, be sure to include utilities.

How much legal protection do you require?

• A one year lease offers a certain amount of legal protection.
• Units that do not carry a lease offer maximum flexibility, but limited legal protection.

• Begin your search using the widest criteria possible. Narrow your choices by adding more features.
• Inspect the actual unit you intend to lease, and consider writing necessary repairs into the lease.
• Check the security of the unit.
• Check the fire safety of the unit (a smoke detector is required by law).
• Be sure that there are two means of egress (exit) from the unit.
• Arrange for telephone service and utilities to be turned on by the time you move in. 

• Complete a thorough inventory of your apartment.
• Give a copy of your inspection form and pictures to the landlord.
• Purchase renter’s insurance.
• Consider purchasing additional fire safety equipment (fire extinguisher, and/or smoke detectors).
• Always get a written receipt from your landlord when you pay rent or deposits.

Outside of the Unit

• Are the buildings and grounds well maintained?
• Are the entryways, sidewalks, and parking areas well lit?
• Are entryways visible from the street?
• Are the residents’ names printed on the mailboxes?
• Is the mailbox lockable and in good condition?
• Are the lots and surrounding streets free of abandoned cars?
• Is parking usually available close to your door?
• Is the area well lit at night and on weekends?
• Are there designated visitor parking spaces?
• Does the apartment complex provide security services (patrols, escorts)?
• Do neighbors feel safe?
• Is the building close to high-traffic, well-traveled areas?
• Are shrubs cut below window level?
• Are tree limbs cut above window level so that you can see in and out of your home?
• Is the unit number visible from the street?
• Is the property near fire stations and other emergency services?
• Are the alleys around the residence clean?

In the Unit

• Are the exterior doors made of core wood or metal?
• Do the doors have knob locks, chains, deadbolts, and/or peepholes?
• Is there a security system in the building?
• Is there a sufficient number of working smoke detectors in the living space and in hallways? Are they hardwired?
• Are there adequate emergency escape routes in the event of a fire?
• Are there fire extinguishers?
• Do curtains, blinds, and draperies fully cover windows?
• Are there safe places to go in case of a tornado?
• Is there a high turnover of residents?

Entrance to the Unit

• Can the main entryway be easily seen from the street even at night? Is it well lit?
• Are there sturdy locks on all the windows?
• Are security bars/screens provided if it is a ground floor or basement unit?
• Are doors to the laundry room kept locked?
• Does the landlord have a published policy about issuing and replacing keys?
• Does the building have a doorman or buzzer for guests and deliveries?
• Are locks on the doors of the buildings and apartments adequately secure?
• Is there a peephole at the door?
• Do the front and rear doors have 180-degree peepholes?
• Do doors have deadbolt locks?
• If door hinge pins are outside, are they non-removable?
• Does the door securely fit the jamb?
• Is the strike plate securely fastened to the door jamb?
• Is the door jamb fastened tightly?
• Does the bolt extend sufficiently into the strike plate?
• Are key control procedures used to ensure that locks are changed when keys are lost or not returned?
• Are you informed of who has keys to your living space?
• Do sliding glass doors have blocking cleats to prevent opening from the outside?
• Can windows be left open for ventilation be secured?
• Are window air-conditioners secured from the inside?
• Are door locks located so they can’t be reached through a window?