Renters

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If I own a dog, what are typical policies that rental buildings have that could potentially impact my pet?

If I own a pet, what are good questions to ask the landlord to make sure my application is approved and I understand any special requirements?

What do landlords consider as a good credit score, for the purposes of the application process? Are there specific tiers or ranges?

Who can I contact to schedule move-in for my new building after I’m fully approved and sign my lease?

If I need to break my lease before the expiration date, will my landlord allow me to do so? Are there any specific factors that could impact their decision?

What are rent-controlled and rent-stabilized apartments, and what is the difference between the two?

If a broker sets a “standard” broker fee and is unwilling to negotiate lower, what can I do?

To be honest, there’s not much you can do if the agent is not flexible.  There could be a number of legitimate reasons for this, such as the fee being split with...

If my guarantor is out of state, does he or she need to attend the lease signing or can I have him or her sign the lease / rider and mail it back?

Most management companies / landlords will allow a guarantor to sign copies of a lease and overnight them back to their office, as it is very common for guarantors to be unable...

Is having a doorman really necessary for a rental building? What are the pros and cons?

The importance of a doorman really depends on what your needs are and how flexible your budget is.  Doormen provide extra security, can accept packages and dry cleaning, offer a friendly face...

Is it ok if an individual on the lease (the tenant) is not present at the lease signing?

Generally, management companies / landlords strongly prefer all lease signers to be present at the lease signing, accompanied by a U.S. driver’s license or passport (and visa).  However, if an individual on...