do not agree with the part of your security deposit that was kept by the landlord, you can go to small claims court and have a judge decide. You can get more information about small claims court from the county in which you live. Also, see the resources listed below for more help.
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What am I expected to pay before moving in?
Most of the time you will be required to pay the 1st month’s rent plus a security deposit, which is usually equal to one month’s rent. Sometimes it can be more. Also, if you are moving in the middle of a month, you may be required to pay rent for the part of the month you will be living in the property. For example, let’s say the rent is $1,500 per month and you are moving in on the 1st of the month. You will pay the 1st month’s rent, $1,500, plus the security deposit, $1,500, for a total of $3,000. But if you move in on the 20th of the month, you will probably have to pay $500 for the 10 days of the current month (1/3 of a month), plus the $3,000 described above.
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What else do I have to pay each month besides rent?
Rent may not be all that you have to pay. Usually, most utilities—electricity, natural gas, water, internet, cable TV—are paid by you. Everything that you are responsible to pay for will be listed in the lease. Sometimes, some utilities are included in the rent, but most of the time they are not, and you are required to pay them. Make sure you understand everything that you are required to pay for before you sign the lease.
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Is the lease negotiable?
Many items in the lease are negotiable and can be changed if you and the landlord both agree. The two most common things that people try to negotiate are the term and the rent. Let’s say the landlord wants a tenant for one year, but you only want