Rent collection: A renter’s guide to how paying rent works

House-shaped keychain and apartment keys placed next to U.S. dollar bills, symbolizing rent collection, monthly rent payments and the cost of renting an apartment.

If you’re new to apartment living, you may be wondering what is rent collection and why it seems to work differently depending on where you live. Rent collection is a key part of the renter-landlord relationship. It’s the organized system that moves your rent payment from you to the property owner, helping keep the building…

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Apartment reviews: When does it make sense to write one?

A person checking apartment reviews.

At some point, most people are asked to write a review for the rental apartment they live in. It might come from a property manager, an email reminder, or a review platform prompting you to share your experience. For first-time renters, especially, it’s not always clear whether writing an apartment review is necessary or even…

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Lease agreement checklist: 5 steps to review before you sign

5 steps to review when signing a lease agreement.

After weeks of searching, touring, and comparing rental apartments, signing a lease agreement can feel like the finish line. But before you put pen to paper, it’s worth taking a closer look. A lease agreement governs your rent, your responsibilities, and how issues are handled for the entire time you live there. Walking through the…

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Trends in Apartment Renting

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The American dream is getting an apartment-centric makeover. RentCafe experts analyzed a mountain of data pertaining to apartment renting, and it confirmed a trend already evident around the nation.  Americans are starting new households, downsizing from large homes, and increasingly interested in living a simpler, apartment focused life. But they don’t necessarily want it to…

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