Renting a House or Apartment

You might be liable to your landlord for your roommate's mess-ups. Take some steps now to protect yourself.

A roommate's decision to leave early can have serious consequences for the cotenants left behind.

A tenant has signed a lease or rental agreement with a landlord. A subtenant is someone who subleases or rents all or part of the rental property from a tenant.

Tips and advice on how to responsibly and smoothly take on a roommate.

What a landlord can and cannot ask you when you're applying for a rental.

I recently applied for a apartment and was rejected. The reason they gave me was stated in one word: criminal. I have a felony conviction almost 10 years old. Is this a form of discrimination?

Know your rights when you rent a house or apartment.

Homeowners displaced after a disaster such as a fire, flood, or hurricane may find themselves in the market for a rental.

Found your dream apartment? Distinguish yourself from all the other rental applicants.

The type of landlord you rent from—be it a professional property management company or an individual owner—can have a big impact on your overall experience as a renter.

Before you choose a place to rent, find out what it’s like to rent deal with the landlord or manager. Make sure you don't forget to screen them.

Learn about the laws that cover security deposits, rent increases, and late fees.

Record the condition of the property to safeguard your security deposit.

A state-by-state breakdown of each state's security deposit limits.

One cotenant's negative behavior—not paying the rent, for example—can affect everyone's tenancy.

Know your rights when a landlord won't rent to you because you are gay, lesbian, or transgender.

A person with a disability who's seeking a rental shouldn't face questions by landlords as to whether they have a disability or illness, nor a request to see medical records.

Federal, state, and local laws, as well as your lease or rental agreement, can restrict or ban smoking in a rental unit.

This is the chart you need if you're trying to find your state's landlord-tenant laws.

You've paid for the rental, but Mother Nature steps in. What now?

Key terms you can expect to see in a lease or rental agreement.