10 Questions to Ask Before Renting Any Property

You scroll, you save, you fall for a two-bedroom with big windows and a fair price. Then comes the part most people rush: the questions.

Renting property takes a real chunk of your paycheck. Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies found that 22.7 million renter households paid more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities in 2024. That's almost half of all renters in the country. With that much money on the line, a few smart questions before you sign can save you a lot of stress later.

This list works for both sides. If you're wondering how I can rent a house without surprises, use it as your checklist. If you're a landlord or property manager, use it to see what good tenants will ask you, and have your answers ready.

1. Is this listing real, and who owns it?

Start here. The FTC says people reported nearly 65,000 rental scams since 2020 and lost about $65 million. About half of recent victims said the scam began with a fake Facebook ad.

A few quick checks take less than 15 minutes:

• Ask for the owner's or manager's full name
• Look that name up in your county's property records
• Search the address and see if it pops up elsewhere with a different price or phone number
• If it's listed for sale somewhere, stop right there

Honestly, the easiest fix is to search where listings get checked first. Every listing on TenantDen is verified before it goes live, so you're not left guessing. Browse rentals on TenantDen.

2. Can I see it first?

Don't pay for a home you haven't seen. It's the FTC's top tip, and it's the one scammers hate most. The fake owner is usually out of the country, too busy, or about to rent it to someone else unless you send the deposit today.

If you're renting a place in another city, ask for a live video tour. A pre-recorded clip proves nothing.

3. What do I pay before I get the keys?

Get every number in writing. Most move-in bills include some or all of these:

Next, ask how to pay. If someone wants a wire, gift cards, crypto, or a payment app like Zelle, walk away. That money is very hard to get back. Credit cards give you far better protection.

Rules on deposit amounts and application fees change from state to state, so look up your state's landlord-tenant law before renting a place. On TenantDen, payments go through secure options, which protects renters and gives landlords a clear record.

4. What will you check about me?

Most landlords look at:

• Credit history
• Past evictions
• Criminal records
• Income, usually through pay stubs or an offer letter

Ask what they check and what the minimum is. Don't hand over your Social Security number before you've agreed to rent. The FTC has flagged fake landlords who ask for credit score screenshots or send links to cheap credit checks that turn into monthly charges.

If you get denied because of a screening report, the Fair Credit Reporting Act says the landlord has to tell you. You can ask for a free copy of that report within 60 days and dispute anything that's wrong.

Landlords, this is where TenantDen saves you time. Screening runs through TransUnion SmartMove right inside the platform, so every applicant goes through the same fair process. 

5. What's in the lease that I might miss?

Read the whole thing. Yes, all of it. Look hard at:

• How long the lease runs and whether it renews on its own
• How much notice you need to give before moving out
• The fee to break the lease early
• Whether rent can go up at renewal, and by how much

A verbal promise isn't worth much. New dishwasher? Free parking spot? Get it in the lease. TenantDen's digital eLeases put everything in one document that both sides sign online.

6. Which bills are on me?

Rent is just the start when renting a house. Ask who pays for:

• Water, sewer, and trash
• Electric and gas
• Internet
• HOA dues, if the home sits in an HOA community

Then ask for last year's average utility bills, so you budget with real numbers instead of guesses.

7. Who fixes things when they break?

Ask how to request a repair and how fast urgent problems like a leak or no heat get handled. Then ask which jobs are yours. When renting a house, tenants often take care of the lawn, gutters, and snow. Get that list in writing so nobody argues about it in January.

8. When was this place built?

If it's before 1978, this one really matters, especially for families renting home spaces with young kids. Federal law says landlords of most pre-1978 housing must:

• Tell you about any known lead paint or lead hazards
• Share any lead reports they have
• Give you the EPA pamphlet Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home
• Add a Lead Warning Statement to the lease

No paperwork? Ask for it before you sign anything.

9. What are the house rules?

Pets, guests, paint colors, a new smart lock. Small things, until they aren't. Ask about:

• Pet limits and pet fees
• How long a guest can stay
• What you can change on the walls or fixtures
• Smoking and quiet hours

A lot of renting home disputes start with a tenant who thought it was fine.

10. How do I get my deposit back?

Do a walkthrough on move-in day. Take dated photos of every room, closets and appliances included, and sign a condition checklist together. Then ask how many days the landlord has to return the deposit. Your state sets that deadline, so check it.

Real Landlord or Scammer? A Quick Check

Why Does TenantDen Make Renting Easier?

We built TenantDen so renting property feels safe for everyone involved.

If you're looking for a home:

• Verified long-term and short-term listings
• Secure payment options
• 24/7 support whenever you need it
• Request a Property if nothing fits yet

If you own or manage rentals:

• List your property for free
• Screen tenants with TransUnion SmartMove
• Sign leases online with eLeases
• Stay in full control of who rents your place

Still asking yourself How can I rent a house the right way?  Bring these 10 questions, and start your search on TenantDen.