When it is time to look for a new place to rent, it is important that you can find a home that fits your budget in addition to your lifestyle needs. Signing a new contract is a task you want to prepare for and make a smart decision with, which can help you over the length of time in your rental contract. So, as soon as your current rental contract is nearing its end with one or two months left, here are some tips to help you find and rent the right apartment for your next home.

Calculate and Stay Within Your Budget

As a renter, you rent payments go toward the leasing of a home space and possibly an outdoor space and yard, and you want your money to stretch as far as possible. For this reason, it is important that you carefully consider how much you can afford and stick with that budget. This can come into play if, for example, you are moving to a new area where the rents are a bit higher than what you are accustomed to paying. This may also be the case if you are getting a rental apartment without a roommate when you have had one in the past to help cover half of the rental expenses. 

To do this, make a list of all your expenses, being sure to include all types of costs you pay for. It can be helpful to look through your bank and credit card statements to get a true accounting of all your monthly ongoing expenses. And be sure to account for a regular deposit into a savings account.

Start shopping for an apartment with your budget maximum as your spending limit. Then, look for any additional costs you will be required to pay for in your rental, such as additional renters insurance, a security system, parking fees, or extra laundry costs with a local laundromat if there is no laundry in the rental.

Prepare For Application

It can be helpful to begin your hunt for an apartment rental with your documentation already prepared and with you. This will help speed up the rental application process if you find an apartment you want to rent and you need to act quickly in order to secure it as yours. You can prepare documents, such as your last year's tax filing paperwork or your most recent paycheck stubs. Also, keep information on any pets that you will bring with you when you move in so the landlord can include them with your rental contract.

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