Expect to pay roughly two to three times the monthly rent before you get the keys. With average rents near $2,000 in early 2026, the upfront costs when renting an apartment typically run $4,000 to $6,000 or more, covering the application fee, security deposit, first month’s rent, and a handful of smaller charges like pet fees, renters insurance, and utility deposits. The exact total depends on your market, the landlord’s policies, and your credit.
Application and Screening Fees
The application fee is usually the first money you spend. It pays for a credit report and background check, and most landlords charge $35 to $75 per adult applicant. In competitive markets, fees can reach $100. You’ll need to hand over your Social Security number (or ITIN) and a government-issued ID so the landlord can run the checks.
Several states cap the fee at the landlord’s actual screening cost, and Connecticut, Maine, and Vermont prohibit application fees entirely. A growing number of jurisdictions let you submit a reusable tenant screening report: you pay for one credit and background check and share the results with multiple landlords. If you’re applying to several places at once, ask whether the landlord accepts portable screening reports before you pay.
Some landlords also collect a holding deposit, typically $100 to $500, to pull the unit off the market while they process your application. If you sign the lease, the holding deposit is usually credited toward your security deposit or first month’s rent. If you withdraw after approval, you generally don’t get it back.
Security Deposit
The security deposit protects the landlord against unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear. The standard is one to two months’ rent, though a growing number of states now cap it at one month’s rent regardless of whether the unit is furnished. Older laws in many states allowed landlords to collect two or even three months upfront based on credit or furnishings; those caps have been tightening.
Your credit score can affect how much the landlord requests within whatever cap your state sets. A strong score may qualify you for the minimum; a weaker one can push you to the legal maximum.
The security deposit is always refundable. After you move out, the landlord must return it minus legitimate deductions for damage or unpaid rent, usually with an itemized list, commonly within 14 to 30 days. Some states penalize landlords who miss that window, including liability for double or triple the amount withheld. A few states require landlords to hold the deposit in a separate account and pay you interest.
Deposit Alternatives
If paying a full deposit on top of first month’s rent stretches your budget, some landlords accept a surety bond instead. You pay a small nonrefundable premium, often $10 to $50 a month, and a surety company guarantees the landlord’s coverage.
Here’s what to understand before choosing one: a surety bond is not insurance that protects you. If you cause damage or leave unpaid rent, the surety company pays the landlord and then comes after you for reimbursement. You’re still responsible for every dollar of damage. And because the premium is nonrefundable, you won’t get anything back at the end of the lease the way you would with a cash deposit kept in good standing. The alternative makes sense when the upfront savings matter more to you than the long-term cost.
First Month’s Rent and Prorated Rent
Almost every lease requires the first full month of rent at signing. Some landlords also collect the last month’s rent in advance to protect against a tenant leaving without proper notice. Paying first, last, and a security deposit at signing can mean handing over three months’ rent before you unpack.
If your lease starts mid-month, you’ll pay prorated rent for only the days you occupy the unit. The common method is to divide the monthly rent by the number of days in that calendar month and multiply by days remaining. Some landlords simplify by always dividing by 30. On a $1,500 apartment with a move-in date of the 21st, you’d owe about $500 for the final 10 days, then full payments the following month. Ask which method your landlord uses so you can budget accurately.
Pet Fees and Assistance Animal Protections
Bringing a pet adds to your move-in costs. Landlords commonly charge a refundable pet deposit (usually $200 to $500), a one-time nonrefundable pet fee, or monthly pet rent of $25 to $75, and sometimes all three. The pet deposit works like your main security deposit: you get it back at the end of the lease if your pet hasn’t caused damage.
These charges don’t apply to service animals or emotional support animals. The Fair Housing Act requires landlords to make reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities, which includes waiving pet deposits, pet fees, and pet rent for assistance animals.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 42 USC 3604 – Discrimination in the Sale or Rental of Housing HUD identifies a request to waive a pet deposit or fee for an assistance animal as a standard example of a reasonable accommodation landlords must grant.2U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Assistance Animals If you have a disability-related need for a service or emotional support animal, the landlord cannot charge you any pet-related costs.
Renters Insurance
Many landlords now require proof of renters insurance before move-in. No federal or state law mandates coverage, but landlords can make it a condition of the lease. A standard policy covers your belongings against theft and damage, provides liability protection if someone is injured in your unit, and pays for temporary housing if the apartment becomes uninhabitable.
Landlords commonly require at least $100,000 in liability coverage. The national average cost runs about $150 per year, roughly $13 per month, for a policy with $30,000 in personal property coverage, $100,000 in liability, and a $500 deductible. You may need to list the landlord or management company as an “interested party” so they’re notified if coverage lapses. Budget for this at move-in even if it isn’t explicitly required.
Utility Deposits and Other Move-In Costs
Setting up electricity, gas, and water accounts at a new address often triggers deposits from the utility companies, separate from anything the landlord collects. These can run under $100 or into the hundreds depending on your credit and the provider. Strong credit or a history of on-time utility payments can get the deposit waived. Check with each utility serving your address before move-in day.
Depending on the building, you may also run into:
- Key and access device deposits for electronic fobs, gate remotes, or mailbox keys, typically $50 to $100 per device.
- Amenity fees for shared facilities like a gym, pool, or coworking space, common in larger complexes.
- Parking fees, monthly or upfront, especially in urban buildings with limited spaces.
- Move-in fees, particularly in condominiums, to cover elevator reservations and common-area protection. These range from $100 to $500 and may be refundable or not.
- Broker or finder’s fees in a few major rental markets, often equal to one month’s rent or a percentage of annual rent. The practice is uncommon nationally but can add thousands in cities where it applies.
Every fee should be itemized in your lease. If a charge isn’t listed, ask for a written explanation before paying.
How to Spot Rental Payment Scams
Because move-in costs involve large sums, rental fraud is a real risk. Scammers post fake listings using photos from legitimate rentals and pressure you to send money before you’ve seen the unit or signed a lease. The Federal Trade Commission warns that anyone asking you to pay an application fee, deposit, or first month’s rent by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency is running a scam.3Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Rental Listing Scams
Before sending any money:
- Tour the unit in person. Never pay a deposit on an apartment you haven’t physically seen. Scammers often claim to be out of town and offer to mail the keys.
- Verify ownership through your county assessor’s office or registry of deeds, both public records, to confirm the person collecting your money actually owns or manages the building.
- Use traceable payment methods. Pay with a cashier’s check, money order, or secure electronic transfer. Money sent by wire, gift card, or cryptocurrency is nearly impossible to recover.3Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Rental Listing Scams
- Get everything in writing. A legitimate landlord provides a signed lease before collecting funds. Walk away from anyone who demands payment before you have a written agreement.
Submitting Your Move-In Payments
Once the lease is signed and the total is calculated, most landlords require guaranteed funds for the initial payment. Cashier’s checks and money orders are the most widely accepted because the bank verifies the money upfront. Many management companies also accept payments through online portals, but credit card payments usually carry a convenience fee of about 2.5% to 3%. Paying a $4,000 move-in balance by credit card could add $100 to $120 in processing fees. ACH bank transfers through the same portals usually have no fee or a small flat charge.
After paying, request an itemized receipt listing every charge separately: application fee, security deposit, first month’s rent, pet deposit, and any other line items. Keep the receipt with your signed lease. The landlord should release your keys once the full balance clears, which can take one to three business days for electronic payments. If a landlord hands over keys before payment clears, get written confirmation that possession has been granted so there’s no dispute later.