Articles

How to Lease Your First Apartment

6 Tips for Renting Your First Apartment 

On the lookout for your first apartment? Checking out apartment ads during your lunch break? Here are 6 tips on how to make your first rental process go as smooth as possible. 

1. Learn About the Process
After you tour a place and decide you want to live there, you will need to fill out a rental application. This is a way your potential landlord or property manager will decide whether you and your roommate(s) are a good match for the rental unit. 

A standard application includes your personal information, previous addresses, and employment information. It also includes a background check, credit report check, and a document asking if you have any pets. Finally, your potential landlord or property manager may call your references.

2. Be Aware of Upfront Costs and Fees
After you are approved to rent, you will need to sign a lease (rental) agreement. During this time, it is common to be asked to pay your landlord for the first month’s rent. However, there may also be additional costs during the application and signing process such as application fees and a security deposit.

Application fees can range from $10-50 per rental unit you apply to. Security deposits are usually equal to one month’s rent. Make sure you save enough money to cover these additional costs.

3. Check Your Credit Report
When you submit your rental application, almost all landlords or property managers will ask to check your credit report. Your credit report includes an overview of your credit history (such as your loan payment history) and your current credit situation (such as how many credit cards you own and any debt you might have). 

These factors generate what is known as a credit score, which acts as a rating of your credit risk. Credit scores are on a scale of 300-850, with 850 being the best rating. Checking your credit report and score is a free service. Never pay to check your credit score. 

4. Ask Your References in Advance
References for a rental application are usually former roommates, peers, or co-workers. Reference checks are used to confirm your identity and serve as a character assessment to see if you would be a reliable tenant. 

It’s best to ask the people you would like to be your references before putting their names on your application. It is common courtesy to them. Plus, it’s a good way to make sure that they aren’t surprised by the phone call.

5. Find a Cosigner if Needed
More often than not if you are renting for the first time, you have a low credit score, or your monthly income is less than 2-3 times the monthly rent. In these cases, it is likely that you will need a cosigner for your lease agreement.

A cosigner is a person who legally agrees to take on rent payments if you are unable to make the payment for some reason. This person is usually a parent, guardian, auntie, uncle, or some other relative with a good credit score and steady income.

6. Know Your Rights
Once your background information is approved, you will be sent the rental agreement to review and sign. Before you sign your lease or pay any money, review what the local legal protections are for tenants (renters). Tenant rights typically include: the right to certain types of repairs on the house or apartment, non-discriminatory practices, and a liveable home. 

A livable (or habitable) home means a home has working appliances, insulation from the heat and cold weather, and no pests or mold/mildew growing inside. It is a landlord’s responsibility to make sure your home meets these standards.

Tenant rights vary by state, county, and city, so it is important to understand what yours are. Many states and major cities have their own tenant rights organizations that can provide free information and free or low-cost legal services upon request.

Resources to: 

Author: Originally from Oklahoma, Summer Lewis is a Muscogee and Seminole woman working in Tribal public health in Northern California. She is preparing to start her first semester of her Master’s program at the University of CaliforniaBerkeley’s School of Public Health and enjoys baking, beading, and being outdoors.

Navigating College as a Young Native Man

Navigating college as a Native man poses unique challenges and opportunities. For...

Setting Boundaries with Social Media

Today’s generation is pressured to be what society deems “perfect.” Although you...

Jowun / Self-Care For Me

How to Accept Change

Sometimes, change can be sudden and difficult to cope with. Other times,...

How to Request Accommodations at School

Accommodations are adjustments that help support people with disabilities. There are many...

Isis / School Stressors

Preparing for Your Driver’s Test

Getting your driver’s license is an exciting and life-changing experience! There is...

How to Help a Friend Who Drank Too Much

Being around a friend who drank too much can be scary, especially...

#Indigilove Recap Video

I Don’t Have Health Insurance – Now What?

There are plenty of reasons why you might not have health insurance....

Tips for Saving

So, you’re thinking about getting that car you’ve been eyeing, or you...

WRN Ambassadors

Represent We R Native

How to Stay Safe When Traveling

Whether you’re going somewhere a couple of hours away or outside the...

How to Use Ride Sharing Services Safely

Rideshare services, like Uber and Lyft, are good options when walking or...

Breaking the Statistics

Spokane area Indian youth showing how they’re breaking statistics.  

Opening a Bank Account

Are you starting your first job? Going to college soon? Or just...

Real Talk About Getting What You Need From Your Boo

In a healthy relationship, we should be appreciated, listened to, and have...

Vote Indian Vote

Students from Salish Kootenai College, Pablo, Montana promote the Native American Vote.

When and How to Quit a Job

If you have a job, you’ve probably dreaded going in at least...

Staying Balanced in College

Keeping a healthy balance between life, school, and work is what everyone...

Gangs

Nonfiction film about the gang crisis in Indian Country.  

How to Navigate Health Insurance

Medical visits and procedures, like x-rays, can be expensive. That is why...

PSA This Relationship Advice is Actually Genius

Relationships – whether they are with our family members, friends, or significant...

Getting Wasted

Do you know of someone who has been wasted and made some...

How to Pick the Right College For You

Deciding to go to college is a big decision and one that...

How to Expand Your Networks

Have you ever heard the saying, “It doesn’t matter what you know,...

Spiritual Well-being

Steven offers some advice and encourages us to be positive…each day

Native Women Just Can’t Anymore

Sex can be fun and empowering. However, some of us – especially...

Tips to Protect Yourself from COVID-19

The spread of COVID-19 in our state, threatens our elders, our families,...

Overcoming Shyness

Tlingit pride: Vanessa shares how she overcame shyness.

Youth Activism

How to get started Youth have powerful voices, and those same voices...

Time Management

Meeting deadlines for work and school can sometimes seem overwhelming. Managing your...

Life Transitions-to adulthood

Three boys learn an important life lesson in Sterlin Harjo (Creek/Seminole) short...

Setting the Record Straight About Depression

Here are some common myths, and the facts behind them, about depression:...

Putting Your Goals Into Action

Once you’ve set your goals and targets the next step is to...

Life Tips

  Run Breath Drink. Positive or negative decisions you make that will...

Problem Solving

Problems are a normal part of life. You can think of them...

Managing Expectations

Everyone goes through times when they feel pressure to achieve certain goals,...

I Strengthen My Nation – PSA

That one choice strengthens you, strengthens others, and strengthens your Nation.

How Does a Person Become Resilient?

A number of factors contribute to a person’s ability to be resilient...

Gratitude And Their Influence On Your Happiness

Being grateful—or having gratitude—for the past can positively affect your future. You...

I Strengthen My Nation – Extended

People notice your actions. You have influence. Think about it. What someone...

Erika Ramirez

My experience at the NIHB Native Youth Health Summit, was one of...

A Career in the STEM Field

Are you thinking about a career in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering,...

Homelessness

Watch Elmer helping a homeless friend during tough times.  Created by Menominee...

Financial Aid – Getting Money For College

Going to college can be expensive, but financial aid and scholarships can...

Indigenous Story Studio

Indigenous Story Studio creates illustrations, posters, video and comic books on health...

Getting Help For Drug Use

I CONTROL MY BODY A survivors words of wisdom: Jamie Paddock discusses...

Ill Mind of Ghost Dog: The Beginning

Hello my fellow Native and non-Native brethren’s. My name is Thomas Lee...

iLL Mind Of Ghost Dog: The Most Dangerous Native

As you ladies and gents read the title of my blog, “The...

Getting Help For Drug Use

I CONTROL MY BODY Haida warrior: Anthony discusses his experience living in...

Imelda Martina Sanchez

I am Imelda Martina Sanchez. I am a Native and Mexican American...

Kogee Clark

I would like to thank you all for the opportunity to share...

Friendships

Cierra, Yankton Sioux, shares her struggles with friendships in school. She shares...

Run for it!

Have you ever considered running for a tribal office or position? As...

The Dangers of Distracted Driving

Can talking on a cell phone cause more accidents than drunk driving?...

Feeling Hopeless

By helping his community Jeremiah was able to help himself in times...

The National Native American Youth Initiative

Preparing Future Native Physicians and Researchers For many students, summer is a...

The Native Youth Vote: You Count!

Like many high school seniors this time of year I find myself...

Feeling Good: Optimism

Sam Fathallah on being optimistic and finding help within your friends.

Why It’s Important to Vote

Did you know Indians could still not vote in New Mexico and...

Write a Resume That Will Make You Shine

Writing a resume that makes you stand out doesn’t have to be...

Drugs & Alcohol – Teen Panel

This is a video featuring two youth who share their stories about...

Do Grades Matter?

Do my grades matter when I’m a freshman? Erika, Yankton Sioux, talks...

He’s obsessing on and harassing me

Menu