Now is a good time to do a move in the Atlanta area. The home rental market is still acitve and there appears to be a good supply of desirable houses and condominiums on the market and rents are very reasonable. If you see a property you like, then be prepared to place a rent holding deposit and secure it.  Use RentList.net, Georgia Property Management Company Directory as your base of operations in locating your Atlanta or Savannah home to lease Bookmark our site now.

When beginning your search for a property to rent, it is a good idea to obtain local maps and guides.   Use the internet mapping services like Yahoo! Maps to find a property under consideration. Then use driving instructions, just right of  the map, to get directions and find out how far it is from your job or other landmark.  Many useful links for schools, utilities, message board, banks and much more are located on our new Tenant Resource Center. A link is on the top of this site.

Gather information you will need to complete the rental application in advance. You may need the name, phone number and address for current and prior employers, current and prior landlords name and phone number, your current and prior addresses, bank account info. in case of emergency contact person and their phone number. And, of course, bring your checkbook with two blank checks, one for the application fee and one for rent holding deposit.
 

Here is some general information about renting a home in Atlanta. However, each company sets their own policies and this is merely general information to help you, the rental prospect understand what's involved.

Applications fees in Atlanta average about $50. Security deposits are normally equal to one month's rent and are due in certified funds at time of move in. A rent holding deposit equal to the first months rent is generally due with the application and may hold the property for you, once approved. Pet fees or deposits vary among landlords. Always ask how much is refundable. Unfortunately for pet owners, it is getting harder to find owners willing to accept pets, especially large pets or certain breeds.

The rental term for a home lease usually is for a minimum 12 months but up to 24 month or longer are available in some cases. You should specify on the rental application what needs to be done before you move in. Only about some of the houses come with refrigerators and most do not come with washer or dryers. Most apartments do come with refrigerators. Window covering may or may not be left with the property. It is best to specify on the application whether these items remain.

Renting from a landlord that has a real estate licensee will give you more protection since they must abide by the real estate commission requirements and have to put your security deposit into an escrow account, whereas unlicensed owners are on their own and do not have to escrow your deposit. Always sign a lease agreement, do not move in with only a verbal agreement. Written move in inspections are mandatory and are in your best interest. Always get a copy of the inspection at time of move in.

Most landlords will only lease a vacant property for a future move in up to 2 or 3 weeks without the rent starting. 

Check out RentList.net's free Searchable Rental Ads. Highly recommend is to use our Power Search to find homes for rent.  You also will need to visit each property management companies' "rentlist" to see their available homes because not all homes are listed in the rentals ads.

We hope this helps in your search for a home to rent.  If you can think of anything we can add to RentList to be of benefit to you or future visitors, please let us know.  When you do rent a home, please tell the agent you found them on Rentlist and make a note on the rental application. This way we can keep this a free service for you. 

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