Decide on this before you even begin your search. And the first thing to ask if you call the ad is who is talking to you – the landlord or the agent? Otherwise you might find out too late that this person is an agent and that you have to pay him for his services. What you should not do on the phone is not to bargain.

It is better to ask about everything in detail – and if you are all previously satisfied, make an appointment.

And then, on the spot, ask if it is possible to lower the price. Understand the different “code words” in real estate listings. Under the rules of many states, realtor services are paid by the landlord, so it is advantageous to use the services of specialists in the search of real estate – they will select options that suit the requirements, arrange for viewing the apartment, explain the terms of the lease and help them to make important information, such as the existing damage to the housing – when evicted it will help avoid problems with getting a securitization-deposit.

Be sure to ask in advance what is included in the rent: is the cost of utilities, Internet, and other services included in the price, or will you have to pay extra for that? Who pays for troubleshooting, such as clogs in the bathroom or broken locks?

Most importantly, do not forget that the rights and obligations of the parties are regulated by the rental agreement. It’s the agent who will help draft a unique lease agreement – you can use specialized sites like this one. In Florida, the tenant doesn’t pay a commission to the realtor, the landlord does. But I know of many cases where realtors tell the opposite to those who have just arrived. So, newcomers, be careful! A realtor will help you to draw up a contract correctly.

You should also strictly follow the rules of the home association, for example, different apartment complexes have different regulations on the ability to invite guests for extended stays. If it is forbidden by the rules, the arrival of relatives or friends from home for a week can lead to fines and even termination of the contract.