Ask these first: cost, fees and deposit
Money questions come first because they decide whether the place works at all, and because the listing price is rarely the whole cost. The hidden apartment fees guide (see More renter guides on this page) lists the charges that most often appear late.
- What is the monthly rent, and is anything added to it every month (parking, pets, amenities, trash, utilities)?
- What one-time fees are there: application, admin, move-in, key, holding?
- What does the application fee cover, and is any of it refundable?
- How much is the security deposit, and is it one month's rent or more?
- Where will the deposit be held, and when and how is it returned?
- What is the total amount due before move-in?
- Are any fees non-refundable, and is that written in the lease?
- Which utilities are included, and roughly what do the others cost?
Questions about the lease
The lease is where the answers become binding. Ask for it before you pay anything and read the clauses below; the lease red flags guide (see More renter guides on this page) covers the clauses that cause the most trouble.
- How long is the lease, and what happens at the end (renewal, month-to-month)?
- How much notice is given before a rent change, and how?
- Can I end the lease early, and what does that cost?
- Are subletting, roommates and long-stay guests allowed?
- What are the pet terms: deposit, monthly pet rent, breed or size limits?
- Who pays for which repairs, and who is responsible for appliances?
Questions about the building and repairs
How repairs work is the clearest sign of how renting here will feel day to day.
- How do I request a repair, and how fast is a typical response?
- Who do I call in an emergency at night or on a weekend?
- Is there on-site management or a management company?
- How do parking, laundry, packages and trash work?
- Has anything major been repaired recently, such as the roof, plumbing or heating?
Questions about how you pay
Payment questions are normal, and the answers matter. Wire transfers and payment apps sent to a personal name are hard to reverse, and the FTC's December 2025 Data Spotlight on rental scams (https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/data-visualizations/data-spotlight/2025/12/rental-scams-hit-home-65-million-reported-losses) puts the median reported loss at $1,000. Confirm payment instructions by phoning a number you found yourself, not one in the message, and ask for a receipt for every payment.
- How is rent paid, and what is the name on the receiving account?
- Who receives the deposit and the first month: an owner, a company or an agent?
- Will I get a written receipt for each payment?
- Why this payment method, and is there one that leaves a record?
Questions about the person you are dealing with
It is reasonable to ask who you are renting from. Ask, then compare the answers with public records yourself; the guide on checking who you are dealing with before paying (see More renter guides on this page) shows how renters look up the owner of record in county property records. A record shows a name; a manager or agent may be listed differently for good reasons, so ask how they are connected.
- What is your full name and, if you work for a company, its name?
- How are you connected to the property: owner, manager or agent?
- Can I see the unit in person, or on a live video call that I direct?
- Who will I contact once I live there?
How to compare the answers
Collect the replies in one place and read them against the listing. Do the rent, fees, dates and contact name match? Is anything you asked about missing? A single written summary from the landlord settles differences. Contradictions in amounts or payment instructions are a reason to pause before you send money.
Message you can send the landlord
Hi [name], I am interested in [unit]. Could you confirm the following in writing so I can plan: (1) monthly rent and every fee, including application, admin, pet, parking and move-in; (2) the security deposit amount, where it is held, and when it is returned; (3) lease length, renewal terms and notice for rent changes; (4) which utilities are included; (5) how repairs are requested and the typical response time; (6) how rent is paid and the name on the account; and (7) when I can see the unit. Thank you, [your name].
Before you apply or pay
Questions renters ask
What should I ask a landlord before renting?
Ask for the total monthly cost, every fee, the deposit terms, lease length and renewal, the repair process, utilities, and how you pay. Ask for the answers in writing and for the lease to read before you pay.
Should I ask the landlord for proof they own the property?
You can ask how they are connected to the unit, and you can look up county records yourself. A record shows a name on file, which may differ from a manager's name for good reasons; ask why.
What should I ask about the security deposit?
The amount, what it is called in the lease, where it is held, the receipt, and the return timeline. State rules vary: for example, New York requires the deposit back within 14 days and California within 21 days.
Is it OK to ask for the lease before paying?
Yes. Reading the lease before you pay any deposit is a normal request, and a reasonable landlord or manager will not object.
What if the answers change between messages?
Note the differences and ask for one written summary. Changing rent, fees or payment instructions are worth pausing on before you send money.