Using Craigslist to Rent an Apartment – Questions to Ask

The online classifieds website, Craigslist.org, hosts many postings and ads. While most are items you can buy or trade, you’ll also find apartments for rent. Before you agree to rent an apartment from someone you put on Craigslist, there are some important questions to ask. What are they?

Question: What is the monthly rent?

It’s important to ask this question even if the landlord lists the monthly rent on Craigslist. Why? Because they may try to change the price for you. Also, some owners have multiple properties and apartments for rent. Don’t let a simple mistake cost you more money in rent. Ask before you schedule a showing and then ask again before you sign your official lease.

Question: Apart from the first month’s rent, what else do I have to pay?

This question is important because it will let you know if you can really afford the apartment in question. It is not uncommon for a landlord to ask a new tenant for a security deposit and the first month’s rent in advance. Others go as far as requesting last month’s rent as well. If you’re on a tight budget, this might not be possible.

Question: What kind of personal information do you need from me?

Not only does this question allow you to be prepared when you meet with your landlord or sign the lease, it can also alert you to a scam. Many landlords like to do background checks on new tenants; however, some scammers have used this as an opportunity to obtain social security numbers. Don’t turn down the background check if you really want the apartment, but see if the background check can be done without your social security number or if you can apply yourself.

Question: Can I see the apartment?

The answer to this question should always be yes. You should never agree to rent an apartment or sign a lease without seeing it first. Make sure the apartment is as described. This question may also alert you to potential Craigslist apartment rental scams. As noted above, some scammers will pose as landlords and claim they need your social security number, bank account information, or credit card number. They will be totally against a showing because they don’t have an apartment to show; they invented it.

The questions listed above are just a few of the many you’ll want to ask a property owner before agreeing to rent an apartment you found on Craigslist. You should ask these questions before you schedule a visit to save yourself time, money, and aggravation.