Move-in costs are the lump sum a renter pays before getting the keys, and they typically run three to five times the monthly rent once every deposit and fee is added up. The exact mix depends on the landlord, the city, and whether pets, brokers, or building fees are in the picture, but almost every lease requires at least the first month’s rent and a security deposit. Missing one line item can delay your move or wipe out the cash you set aside for furniture and utilities.
First Month’s Rent
The biggest check you write on move-in day is the first full month of rent, due before you take possession. Some landlords also collect the last month’s rent upfront as a cushion against tenants who stop paying near the end of the lease. That practice is not universal, and roughly half the states either restrict or discourage it, so read the lease before assuming you owe it.
If your lease starts mid-month, you’ll usually pay prorated rent for the remaining days instead of a full month. Divide the monthly rent by the number of days in that month for a daily rate, then multiply by the days you’ll actually occupy the unit. On a $1,500 lease starting on the 20th of a 30-day month, that’s $50 per day times 10 days, or $500. You’d then owe the full $1,500 on the first of the following month.
Security Deposit
A security deposit is money the landlord holds for the length of your lease to cover unpaid rent or damage beyond normal wear and tear. It stays yours as long as you return the unit in reasonable condition, so treat it as a refundable guarantee rather than a fee. About half the states cap the deposit at one to two months’ rent; the other half impose no statutory ceiling. Where caps exist, one month’s rent is the most common limit, with a smaller group of states allowing up to two.
Most states require landlords to return whatever they aren’t claiming within 14 to 30 days after you move out, though a few stretch that window to 60 days. If the landlord keeps any of the money, the prevailing rule is that they must send an itemized statement listing specific damages and repair costs. Vague deductions like “cleaning” with no dollar figure are the kind that get challenged successfully in small claims court.
Wear and Tear vs. Damage
Most deposit disputes come down to this line. Small scuffs on walls from furniture, minor carpet wear in high-traffic areas, and faded paint after a multi-year tenancy all count as normal wear and tear, and a landlord cannot deduct for them. Holes punched in drywall, stained or burned carpet, and broken fixtures are tenant-caused damage, and those deductions are legitimate.
The single best way to protect your deposit is to document the unit before you unpack. Walk through with your phone camera, photograph every scratch and stain, and get the landlord to sign a written checklist acknowledging preexisting issues. Some states actually require landlords to offer this inspection. Without documentation from day one, you’re relying on the landlord’s memory and goodwill when you move out, and that rarely works in the tenant’s favor.
Application and Screening Fees
Before you sign a lease, most landlords charge a nonrefundable application fee to cover a credit report and background check. These usually run $25 to $75 per applicant, though they climb higher in competitive urban markets. The underlying screening report costs the landlord roughly $20 to $55, and several states cap what landlords can charge so they don’t profit off the application process.
If you’re applying to several apartments at once, these fees add up fast. Ask upfront whether the landlord accepts a recent screening report from another provider. Some will, others won’t, so budget for five or six applications if you’re hunting in a tight market.
Pet Deposits and Pet Rent
Landlords who allow pets usually charge in one of three ways: a refundable pet deposit returned if the animal causes no damage, a one-time nonrefundable pet fee, or monthly pet rent on top of your base rent. Some landlords combine two or all three. A $200 to $500 pet deposit plus $25 to $50 in monthly pet rent is a common structure, though amounts vary widely.
Service animals and emotional support animals are a separate matter. The Fair Housing Act requires landlords to waive pet deposits, pet fees, and pet rent as a reasonable accommodation for tenants with disabilities whose animals provide assistance or emotional support.1U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Assistance Animals The landlord can ask for reliable documentation of a disability-related need for the animal if that need isn’t obvious, but they cannot charge you for having one.
Broker or Finder Fees
In some rental markets, especially dense urban ones, a broker charges a fee for finding or showing you the apartment. The most common amount is one month’s rent, though fees in high-demand cities can reach 12 to 15 percent of the annual lease value. On a $2,000-a-month apartment, that’s a one-time hit of $2,000 to $3,600 before you’ve paid any rent. Not every market uses brokers, and many landlords list directly. If a broker is involved, clarify who pays the fee, and how much, before you tour any units. Some areas have begun restricting whether landlords can pass these costs to tenants, so the rules are shifting.
Renters Insurance
A growing number of landlords require renters insurance as a condition of the lease, and you may need to show proof of coverage before you get keys. Landlords typically require at least $100,000 in liability coverage, which protects against injuries in your unit or accidental damage to the building. The policy also covers your belongings against theft, fire, and certain natural disasters.
This is one of the cheaper line items in the move-in budget. Premiums average $10 to $35 a month depending on location, coverage, and deductible. A standard policy with $30,000 in personal property coverage and a $1,000 deductible lands near the lower end for most people. Set up the policy a few days before move-in so you’re not chasing a declarations page the day you pick up keys.
Administrative and Holding Fees
Some property management companies charge administrative fees separate from the application fee. These cover lease preparation, move-in coordination, or the overhead of processing a new tenant. Unlike application fees tied to screening costs, administrative fees have fewer regulatory guardrails in most states, and amounts vary widely.
A holding fee is a related charge when you want a unit taken off the market while your application is processed. The landlord agrees not to show the apartment to other applicants in exchange for a payment, which is sometimes credited toward the first month’s rent if everything goes through. If you change your mind after being approved, the landlord keeps the holding fee for the lost time. Get the terms in writing before handing over any money. Whether a holding deposit is refundable when the landlord rejects your application depends on the agreement and local rules.
Utility Deposits and Setup
Electricity, gas, water, and internet providers often require their own deposits or activation fees when you open a new account. Limited credit history or a past-due balance with another provider pushes those deposits higher. Expect $50 to $200 per utility, separate from anything your landlord collects.
Before signing, ask which utilities are included in rent and which ones you set up yourself. Some buildings include water and trash while leaving electric and gas to the tenant. Knowing this in advance lets you call providers early, avoid service gaps, and plan for the deposits.
Moving Day Costs
The physical move is easy to underestimate. A local two-person crew typically charges $80 to $160 an hour, with most jobs taking three to five hours depending on apartment size and distance. High-cost cities and specialty needs like piano moving or narrow stairways push that rate toward $200 or higher. Many companies also add a one- to two-hour travel fee for dispatching the crew.
If you handle it yourself, a rental truck runs roughly $30 to $100 a day plus mileage for local moves. Some apartment buildings and HOAs charge their own move-in fees for wear on elevators, hallways, and lobbies, or require you to reserve a loading dock or elevator in advance. These fees are usually nonrefundable and must be paid before the building grants access, so ask about them when you sign the lease, not on moving day.
Get a Full Breakdown Before You Sign
The biggest frustration renters face is discovering charges they didn’t know about until lease signing. The FTC submitted an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in January 2026 aimed at requiring upfront disclosure of total monthly costs and fees in rental housing.2Federal Trade Commission. FTC Submits Draft ANPRM Related to Rental Housing Fees to OMB Review The rule is still early and hasn’t taken effect, but several states have already passed their own fee disclosure laws.
Until federal rules catch up, ask for a written breakdown of every dollar due before move-in, including all deposits, fees, and first-month costs. If the landlord can’t produce one, treat that as a warning sign. The total should never be a surprise at the signing table.