Guides
For renters
Plain-language renter guides on applications, leases, deposits, repairs, and fair-housing protections. General information only, because rules and deadlines can change by state and city.
What this page is for
If you rent a home or apartment, it helps to know the basic rules before you apply, sign a lease, or ask for repairs. This page is a starting point for plain-language information, especially if you are new to renting in the United States.
OwnerLedger is a free matching service for rental-property owners looking for licensed, insured property managers. We are not a property management company, real-estate broker, attorney, or accountant, and we do not manage property. For renters, that means this page gives general information only, not legal advice.
Main renter topics to understand
Most renter questions come up in a few common areas: applications and screening, lease terms, security deposits, repairs and maintenance, notices, and move-out charges. The details can be very different depending on your state, city, and the type of property.
A good place to start is Renter Rights Basics, which explains common issues in plain language. If your concern involves discrimination during advertising, showings, applications, or tenancy, read Fair Housing Explained.
You can also browse more plain-language articles in our guides.
Renter rights basics, in plain language
A plain-language overview of common renter rights in the US — leases, notice, repairs, privacy, and deposits — and where to get help. General information, not legal advice; rules vary by state.
Open →Fair housing explained for renters
What fair-housing law protects, what discrimination looks like in renting, and how a fair screening process should work — explained plainly for renters, including people new to the US.
Open →Security deposits — what renters should know
How security deposits usually work, what landlords can and can't deduct, timelines for return, and how to protect your deposit. General information; deposit rules vary by state and city.
Open →Repairs and habitability — your rights as a renter
What a habitable rental means, how to request repairs in writing, and what options renters generally have when repairs are ignored. General information, not legal advice.
Open →Renting from a property management company
What changes when your landlord uses a property manager — who to contact for repairs and rent, how communication works, and what to expect during screening and move-in.
Open →Renting in the US when English isn't your first language
How to handle leases, screening, and repairs when English isn't your first language — interpreters, written documents, and your fair-housing protections.
Open →Want a licensed property manager handling your rental?
Tell us about your property and we'll connect you, free, with licensed managers near you. You compare proposals and choose who to hire — and confirm every fee in writing first.