Renting a home or apartment in the USA: the basics for immigrants
Renting an apartment in the U.S. usually follows the same steps: an application and application fee, a credit and background check, a lease, and a security deposit. Before moving in you often pay the first month's rent, the deposit, and sometimes the last month's rent at once. Discrimination is banned by the 1968 Fair Housing Act. The detailed rules vary from state to state. Based on official and reliable sources.
Renting a home or apartment is, for many immigrants, the first major financial step in the U.S. While the process is broadly the same everywhere, the exact rules — deposit caps, deadlines for returning it, tenant rights — differ by state and sometimes by city. Below, the general procedure and key concepts are explained on a facts-only basis.
The application and application fee
Before holding an apartment, the landlord or management company asks you to fill out a rental application. It usually comes with an application fee of about $25–75 that covers screening costs and is often non-refundable. The amount and refund rules vary by state; some states cap it.
Credit and background check
The landlord reviews the applicant's credit history, income and prior rental history; a criminal background check may also be run. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the applicant's written consent is required before a credit check. Landlords typically want income sufficient for the rent (in many places monthly income of 2.5–3 times the rent).
The security deposit
The security deposit is a refundable sum, usually one to two months' rent. It is returned at the end of the tenancy if there is no damage or unpaid rent. Many states set by law a maximum deposit and a deadline to return it (for example, within a set number of days after move-out).
The lease
The lease is a legal document. It can be for a fixed term (often 12 months) or month-to-month. Read it fully before signing: the monthly rent, due date, late fee, who pays utilities, pets, guests, and subletting rules. A signed lease is binding on both parties.
Upfront move-in costs
Before moving in you usually pay the first month's rent, the security deposit and, in some places, the last month's rent at once, plus the application fee. From a newcomer with no U.S. credit history, a landlord may ask for a co-signer/guarantor, a larger deposit, proof of income, or several months' rent paid in advance.
The Fair Housing Act and the ban on discrimination
The 1968 federal Fair Housing Act bans discrimination in rental housing: you cannot be refused on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or familial status (having children) — seven protected classes in total. Some states and cities add source of income, immigration status, sexual orientation and gender identity to the list.
Renters insurance
Renters insurance protects your belongings against theft, fire or water damage and covers liability to third parties. It is not legally required everywhere, but many landlords require it as a lease condition. It usually costs about $15–30 a month (roughly $150–300 a year).
Tenant rights — state-dependent
There is no general federal rent control in the U.S.; such rules exist only in some states and cities. State law typically sets habitability standards, notice a landlord must give before entering, and how the deposit is returned. For disputes or exact rights, check your own state's housing laws.
