8 Things Nearly All First-Time Renters Get Wrong

Article by Kimberly Dawn Neumann | Realtor.com
Featured expertise by Jason Gelios | Realtor

Looking to rent an apartment? Join the club! Applications for rental units returned to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2021, with applications up 13% from the previous year. And the largest spike in active apartment hunters is among Gen Z renters (up 39%)—many of whom were entering the rental market for the first time.

But with all this newbie renting, there are bound to be mistakes made along the way, especially while navigating the seismic shifts in a COVID-19-altered real estate market.

To help, here are some of the things that today’s rookie renters often get wrong that can cost them, big-time. Peruse this list to make sure you’re aware of these common mistakes.

1. Not bothering to check your credit score

​While checking credit scores may not be the first thing on renters’ minds, it matters now more than ever.
“With more renters than available rentals, landlords are being more strict on creditworthiness,” says real estate agent Denise Supplee, co-founder of Spark Rental. “Since there are more

Read the full article here