First Apartment Checklist
Your first apartment comes with a hundred small decisions and a few big ones. This checklist puts them in order: money first, then the hunt, then the lease, then move-in day.
Set the budget
Use the 30 percent rule as a starting point: rent plus utilities should stay under about 30 percent of gross monthly income. Then add the real move-in math: first month, security deposit (check your state's deposit limit), application fees, and renter's insurance. Run the numbers in our rent affordability calculator before you fall in love with a listing.
Tour like an inspector
Visit in person when you can. Run the taps, flush the toilet, check water pressure and hot water speed. Open and close windows. Look for water stains on ceilings, test outlets with a phone charger, and note cell signal. Visit the street at night once before signing; a block feels different after dark. Ask about pest history, average utility costs, parking, laundry, and guest policy.
Read the lease before signing
Our lease reading guide walks through every clause that matters: rent increases, maintenance responsibilities, subletting, early termination fees, and pet rules. Never sign a lease you have not read fully.
Buy only the essentials first
Mattress and bedding, shower curtain, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, basic kitchen gear (pot, pan, knife, cutting board), trash cans and bags, light bulbs, and a plunger. Everything else can wait a paycheck. Thrift stores and buy-nothing groups furnish most first apartments.
Move-in day
Photograph every room, every wall, and every existing mark before unpacking a single box; email the photos to yourself so they are timestamped. Test smoke and CO detectors. Locate the breaker box and water shutoff. Change the locks if the lease allows it, or ask the landlord to.
More renter guides
- Renting With Bad CreditHow to get approved with a low score: co-signers, larger deposits, proof of income.
- How Much Rent Can I Afford?The 30% rule, the 50/30/20 budget, and what landlords actually require.
- Security Deposit GuideHow deposits work, what landlords can deduct, and how to get yours back.
- How to Read a LeaseEvery clause that matters, translated from legalese, before you sign.
- Roommate Agreement GuideWhat to agree in writing before moving in together: rent splits, chores, guests, exit plan.
- Renter's Insurance ExplainedWhat it covers, what it costs ($15-30/month), and why landlords require it.
- Moving Checklist8-week timeline: what to do when, from decluttering to address changes.
Run your budget with the rent affordability calculator, check your state's deposit limit, or browse the full renting hub.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need to move into my first apartment?
Plan for first month's rent plus a security deposit (often one month's rent, but check your state's limit), plus $100 to $300 in application and admin fees, plus renter's insurance (often $15 to $30 a month). A common rule: have three months of rent saved before signing.
What credit score do I need to rent an apartment?
Many landlords look for 620 to 650, but there is no universal minimum. With a lower score, expect to offer a larger deposit, a co-signer, or proof of income at 3x rent. See our guide to renting with bad credit.
Should I tour an apartment at night?
Yes, at least drive by. Noise, lighting, parking availability, and how safe the street feels can all differ dramatically after dark.