This page will help you locate an apartment or house
that suits your needs, and also what to consider when
signing a lease.
Where to Live:
Find an Apartment:
Considerations When Renting an Apartment:
- Carnegie Mellon provides some legal information on landlord-tenant relationships.
- Understand what the lease includes and doesn't include. In your lease, these should be in writing:
- When and where the rent is due
- What the security deposit covers, its amount and the conditions
- What the conditions are for subletting
- When the landlord will enter the unit
- What the house rules are, if any (children, guests, pets, etc.)
- What furniture, if any, will be provided (the condition of the furniture should be noted in writing for both the landlord and tenant)
- What the landlord will furnish (heat, water, utilities, parking, garbage disposal, etc.)
- Inspect the apartment within 5 days of moving in! Report any problems you find promptly in writing to your landlord. The most common maintenance problems are:
- Plumbing: Flush the toilet and check the faucets to make sure they work without dripping. Make sure the drains are clear and the water pressure is adequate.
- Kitchen appliances: Make sure they are clean and working properly.
- Walls: Note any peeling paint, cracks in the plaster, holes in walls, floors, or doors. If the unit is carpeted, make sure all stains are listed on the inspection form.
- Ceilings: Check for any brown spots that might indicate a leaky roof or leaky overhead plumbing.
- Stairs: Check for broken steps and wobbly banisters, whether stairs are inside or outside the apartment.
- Pests: Look for evidence of ants, roaches, or rats.
- Doors/windows: Make sure that all doors and windows close tightly and lock securely. Check for broken glass or missing screens.
- Electrical outlets: Make sure that all electrical sockets, light fixtures and light switches work properly.
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