Trying to find an apartment can be stressful, especially when you aren’t sure what you’re looking for or how much you can afford. If this will be your first apartment, it can even be a little bit scary.
The key is to go into your apartment search with a plan. Here are the 10 steps to finding an apartment in 2026:
- Determine Your Budget
- Check Your Credit Score
- Identify Your Wants and Needs
- Start Your Search Online
- Choose Your Favorites
- Take Some Tours
- Ask Questions
- Submit an Application
- Read the Lease Carefully
- Shop for Renters Insurance
Determine Your Budget
Most property managers require tenants’ monthly income to be three times the monthly rent, so your budget for rent should be no more than 30% of your monthly pre-tax income. Use the 50/30/20 technique to build a budget; reserve 50% of your income for rent and other essential expenses, 30% for non-essential daily expenses, and 20% for savings.
Setting a budget can help make sure your entire paycheck isn’t going toward rent. If the market rent in your area is above what you can afford, consider finding a roommate to split the cost.
Check Your Credit Score
Avoid surprises when you get to the leasing office by knowing your credit score. If you have bad credit, consider finding a cosigner or guarantor while you work toward rebuilding your credit score. Keep track of your credit score on credit monitoring sites and check your three free credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com.
Identify Your Wants and Needs
Before you even start looking for a rental, it’s important to figure out exactly what you want. Consider where you want to live and your must-have amenities.
Research different cities and neighborhoods to find the best fit for you. Do you want a quiet suburban community or a trendy urban neighborhood? What’s your ideal commute time to work or school? Are restaurants, shopping, and nightlife important to you?
Make a list of the amenities you can’t live without and a list of amenities you’d like but aren’t dealbreakers. This can help you narrow down your search and make sure you find a place that has everything you need.
Start Your Search Online
Apartments.com makes it easy to find the perfect place. Search for rentals across various neighborhoods, and narrow your search by price range, floor plan, and must-have amenities.
Now, it’s even easier with AI Smart Search. Type or speak full sentences listing exactly what you want in a rental, and AI Smart Search will scan millions of listings to give you a curated list of rentals that match your criteria.
Want to come back to your search later? Click the “Filters” button and select “Save Search” at the bottom of the popup window. This will allow you to quickly revisit the same search parameters later and receive email notifications about new listings that match your needs.
Choose Your Favorites
When you find a place you like on Apartments.com, save it for later by clicking the heart icon at the top of the listing. Revisit your favorites by clicking the menu bar in the upper left corner, then expanding “Find a Rental” and selecting “Favorites.” This will show all the properties you’ve marked as favorites, making it easy to compare choices side-by-side and take the next steps.
Take Some Tours
Once you have a list of favorites, it’s time to schedule tours! You can schedule a tour on Apartments.com with the tour scheduling tool or by sending an email or calling the property directly.
Try to tour at least two or three apartments before making a decision. Touring an apartment in person gives you a better understanding of the neighborhood, the building layout, and the apartment’s actual size, finishes, and functionality. As you walk through the property, take plenty of pictures and jot down notes about amenities, utilities, and pricing.
Here are some things to consider on your apartment tour:
- Is the kitchen large enough?
- What appliances are included?
- Will your furniture fit?
- How’s the water pressure from the shower and sinks?
- Are there enough power outlets?
- Is the unit easy to get to from the parking area?
- If the property has an elevator, where is it?
- Are the parking areas and hallways well-lit?
- Will you have enough storage space?
- Can you get a signal on your phone?
- How quiet is the area?
- Are the parking areas and hallways well-lit?
If you can’t make it to an in-person tour, take some virtual tours! Apartments.com allows properties to add Matterport 3D tours to their listings so you can “walk through” a property online to get a feel for the community without leaving your home.
Ask Questions
Apartment tours are an opportunity to get more information about where you’ll potentially be living, so make sure you bring a list of detailed questions.
The questions you ask should be tailored to your specific needs, but here’s a list to get you started:
- How will you pay rent?
- When is rent considered late, and how much are late fees?
- What’s the pet policy, and how much are pet fees?
- How will you receive packages?
- Will you have an assigned parking space, or is parking first come, first served?
- Where will your guests park?
- What’s the process for requesting maintenance?
- Are utilities included in rent? If not, what’s the monthly cost?
- Does the property have any pest problems?
- Are there storage units available?
- What’s the subletting policy?
- Are there any special discounts or move-in offers?
Before you leave after the tour, write down the contact information for the leasing office so you can contact them with any additional questions.
Submit an Application
Weigh the pros and cons of each apartment you toured and choose the one you want to call home. Once you’ve made a decision, it’s time to submit a rental application.
Here’s what rental applications typically require:
- Contact information
- Preferred move-in date
- Socia Security Number
- Government-issued ID (usually a driver's license)
- Cosigner or guarantor information
- Pet information
- Vehicle information
- Previous addresses
- Current employment
- Proof of income
- An application fee, typically between $25 and $100
Once you submit your application, it usually takes one to three business days to process your application.
Read the Lease Carefully
You get the call and you’re approved for the apartment—congratulations! Your property manager will send a lease agreement for you to review and sign.
A lease is a legally-binding agreement, so make sure you read it carefully. Verify that your contact information, move-in date, and rent price are all correct, and ask questions for clarification on specific clauses. If everything looks good, go ahead and sign the lease!
Shop for Renters Insurance
Renters insurance is an inexpensive way to protect yourself and your belongings from emergency situations. Renters insurance policies cover the cost of replacing your belongings in case of theft or fire damage, hotel costs if your rental becomes uninhabitable, and liability protection in case someone is injured in your rental. According to NerdWallet, the average cost of renters insurance in the U.S. is $13 per month, but prices can fluctuate based on your location, credit score, and claims history.
Most property managers require renters insurance, so shop around and compare rates. Property managers typically have a minimum for renters insurance coverage, so make sure the policy you choose meets the requirement.
If you already have renters insurance, let your provider know you’re planning to move as soon as possible so you can transfer your coverage to your new place. Your premiums will be adjusted when you move, so make allowances in your budget for a shift in your insurance cost.
Whether you’re shopping for your first apartment or your fifth, the process can be intimidating. Go in with a plan, take your time, and ask questions, and soon enough you’ll be in your dream home!
This article was originally published February 21, 2020, by Alecia Pirulis.
