How do you rent a home in the United States in 2026?

Most newcomers start on large listing sites such as Zillow and Apartments.com, plus local Facebook groups and, with extra caution, Craigslist. Treat every ad as unverified until you tour and confirm the owner or licensed agent. Cross-check suspiciously cheap units against other sites, and never wire money to “hold” a place you have not seen.

New York City still often involves a broker. In many Manhattan and Brooklyn deals the tenant historically paid a broker fee of about one month’s rent (sometimes more or less depending on the listing and current local rules). Ask in writing who pays the broker before you tour. Outside NYC, large apartment complexes usually rent direct through a leasing office, while houses and small buildings may use a private landlord or a local agent.

Application fees of about $30–75 per adult are common for background and credit pulls. Paying five fees in one weekend adds up fast, so shortlist seriously before you apply.

Expect a request for photo ID, proof of income (pay stubs, offer letter, or tax returns), employment contacts, rental references, and a US credit report through Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. Many managers want income around three times the monthly rent. The CFPB explains that tenant screening reports can include credit, eviction, and criminal-history data, so errors are worth correcting early.

A Social Security number (SSN) makes screening smoother. An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) can work with some landlords and foreign-national programs, but others refuse applicants without an SSN or a US guarantor. Building US credit history before you hunt long-term housing reduces deposit and cosigner pressure.

Tour the unit in daylight when you can. Check locks, water pressure, heat or air conditioning, windows, and any building fees. If the “landlord” is abroad and will only accept wire, gift cards, or Zelle before a tour, walk away and read the scam guidance on related pages.

Read the full lease before you transfer money: term length, renewal, pets, guests, subletting, utilities, parking, and early-termination clauses. Move-in cash often includes first month’s rent plus a security deposit, and sometimes last month’s rent or a pet deposit. Rules for those amounts vary by state, so confirm the legal cap for your address rather than assuming a national formula.

USA.gov’s tenant-rights pages send you to your state attorney general or housing agency when you cannot resolve a dispute with the landlord. Keep copies of the signed lease, payment receipts, and move-in photos.