The Most Valuable and Misguided Renting Advice We’ve Encountered

andElly Leavitt,ByMackenzie Dunn

UpdatedOct 12, 2018 5:32 PM EDT

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The prospect ofrenting an apartmentcan be as exhilarating and daunting as purchasing a home. When is the optimal time to search? What budget is appropriate? Is a broker advisable? How can one be certain of what lies beneath the surface? And once a residence is secured, how does one furnish and personalize it—without forfeiting the security deposit? The questions are plentiful; the reliable answers, considerably fewer.

The encouraging reality:Renting does not equate to squandering financial resources. It remains an excellent option for thoseliving with roommatesor young families. That said, rental horror stories—from difficult landlords to logistical moving challenges—are well documented. Being thoroughly informed before signing a lease is paramount. The following insights and strategies will streamline the process—along with the myths that warrant skepticism.

The peak rental season typically spans May through August, when academic schedules pause and weather conditions facilitate asmooth relocation. Higher prices during these months are common, which is why some experts recommend searching earlier or later in the year. Yet life does not always align with ideal seasonal windows—sometimes an immediate need takes precedence.

“Prices may be lower in the off-season, but there is also less inventory,” notesWarburg Realtyagent Rebecca Brooksher. With advantages and drawbacks to each season, the timing need not be a source of excessive concern.

For the methodically inclined, list-making tendencies prove invaluable. Social media editor Alyssa Clough advocates a prioritized approach. “Make a list ahead of the things that you must have, the things that would be nice to have, and the things that aren’t a priority,” she advises. “If you’re working with an agent or coordinating with a roommate, this will make the process much easier and waste a lot less time.”

Professional guidance can certainly be beneficial, yet is the additional fee justified? Our experts affirm that it is—primarily because an agent eliminates much of the uncertainty and navigates terrain that may feel unfamiliar to first-time renters.

“If you already have a full workday, find someone you trust to weed out the duds, schedule the appointments, help organize the complicated paperwork, and make it an enjoyable experience,” says Brooksher.

This approach allows focus on the properties themselves rather than the search. “An experienced agent has a good understanding of each landlord’s reputation,” adds Warburg Realty agent Eric Mendelsohn. “For example, if you are a renter with bad credit or none at all, if you have a large dog, if your income doesn’t equal 40 times the monthly rent in NYC and/or you need an out-of-state guarantor, a knowledgeable agent will only show you apartments that you’ll have a chance to rent.”

While negotiation is best managed by an experienced agent, one can—and should—research comparable appraisal characteristics (comps), days on market, and demand for similar spaces to develop an informed perspective on potential counter offers, advises Kemdi Anosike, another Warburg Realty agent.

An extensive rental search inevitably introduces familiar refrains: “This apartment has no closets,butit’s in a great location!” The neighborhood undeniably carries weight. Yet so does square footage, and for those planning an extended stay, generous proportions may well outweigh a prestigious zip code.

If asmaller spaceis under consideration, discuss the arrangement with your roommate andcalculate rent proportionally based on room size. This ensures an objective assessment of whether the apartment justifies the square footage trade-off.

The most pervasive myth—and perhaps the most frequently repeated—is that rental spaces resist personalization. Let it be stated definitively: this is unfounded. The options for elevating a temporary residence are virtually limitless: considerremovable wallpaper, replacinglight fixtures, introducingcurtains, orconcealing unappealing floorswith stick-on tiles.

More permanent modifications may even be attainable. “I have seen renters who have been willing to upgrade the apartment with new floors or a new kitchen at their own expense,” says Mendelsohn. “They need to notify the owner of the changes that will be made, but owners generally agree to improvements, especially when they aren’t paying for them.” The key is simply to ask.

See more ways to upgrade your rental:The Simple Swap That Will Instantly Upgrade Your DecorEasy, Affordable Swaps That Will Upgrade Your RentalFound: The Easiest Way to Bring Charm to Your Rental

Elly enjoys covering anything from travel to funky design (tubular furniture, anyone?) to the latestcultural trend. Her dream apartment would exist on the Upper West Side and include a plethora of mismatched antique chairs, ceramic vessels, and floor-to-ceiling bookcases—essential to her goal of becoming a poor man’s Nora Ephron. You can probably find her in line at Trader Joe’s. You will never find her at SoulCycle.

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