Renting A Home Or Apartment
Looking for rental home or an apartment? It can be both exciting and frustrating! But if you approach the whole process systematically and if you know your rights, apartment hunting doesn't have to be a hassle. Read through this Renter's Guide before you begin. And happy hunting!
Before you start looking
Know your rights: First, you should know about your fair housing rights. Federal law prohibits housing discrimination based on your race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability. If you have been trying to rent a home or apartment and you believe your rights have been violated, you can file a fair housing complaint. Then, you should know about your rights as a prospective tenant.
Figure out how much you can afford: Some experts recommend that you budget 25-30% of your income on housing. Here's more information about budgeting for your rent:
Figure out what you need: It's a good idea to think through what you need in an apartment BEFORE you begin shopping. How many bedrooms do you need? Do you need to be close to schools? Do you need parking? Make a list before you begin...that will help you narrow down your search. Need help with this? Contact a HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency. They can help you sort through your options.
Did you know?
Did you know that you can put your name on the waiting list of more than one public housing authority? If you're willing to move, you might be able to find a housing authority who can offer you housing right away or, at least, you might be able to find a shorter waiting list. So check around.
Financial assistance
If your income is low, you may be qualified for financial assistance.
- Public housing: low-income housing, operated by your local housing authority.
- The Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) allows you to find your own place to rent, using the voucher to pay for all or part of the rent.
- Privately owned subsidized housing: the government provides subsidies directly to the owner who then applies those subsidies to the rents he/she charges low-income tenants. There are privately owned subsidized housing units for senior citizens and people with disabilities, as well as for families and individuals.
- In rural communities, the Department of Agriculture provides rental assistance programs, home improvement and repair loans and grants, and self-help housing loans to low income individuals and families. To apply: Visit the Rural Housing Service web site or contact your local Rural Development office (check the Federal Government section of your telephone book).
- Eligibility: To be eligible for most programs, your income must be at or below the maximum income limit established for your area. The HOME program has its own income limits.
- Waiting lists: Each housing authority has its own system for accepting applications for the rental programs they administer. In some cases, there are waiting lists; and sometimes those waiting lists can be very long. But contact the housing authority to find out. The sooner you apply, the sooner you can get help.
Renter's insurance
You may want to protect your belongings by buying renter's insurance.
Tenant rights and responsibilities
When you live in an apartment, you have both rights and responsibilities. Be sure you know what's expected of you and what you can expect in return.
Programs/services in federal rental housing
In many of the apartments which are aided by federal funding, additional services are available to residents.
Rent your home
People who receive Section 8 vouchers find their own rental housing and use the vouchers they receive from their housing agency to help pay the rent. Basically, the voucher means that the Federal Government will pay a specific amount of the rent. If you own a home that you would like to rent to Section 8 tenants, contact your local public housing agency to find out how.
