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CHAPTER 1 NOT FINDING THE LOCAL ASSISTANCE YOU EXPECTED...................................... 5 Why arent landlords or rental agencies calling you back...........................................................5 About PorchLight.............................................................................................................................................5 CHAPTER 2 FINDING THE RIGHT NEIGHBORHOODS.........................................................................6 Community Demographics......................................................................................................................... 7 School Statistics................................................................................................................................................ 7 Using Google Maps......................................................................................................................................... 8 Searching for Schools...................................................................................................................................10 CHAPTER 3 SEARCHING FOR RENTALS..................................................................................................12 Apartment Search Websites.....................................................................................................................13 Private Rental Websites...............................................................................................................................13 Roommate Websites Agreements.....................................................................................................14 Finding a Roommate....................................................................................................................................14 Finding a Furnished Apartment..............................................................................................................15 CHAPTER 4 DOCUMENTS TO BRING..........................................................................................................18 CHAPTER 5 TOURING TIPS..............................................................................................................................19 CHAPTER 6 NEGOTIATING..............................................................................................................................20 CHAPTER 7 ESTABLISHING CREDIT............................................................................................................21 Tips for Credit Concerns..............................................................................................................................24 Create a Letter of Explanation..................................................................................................................25 CHAPTER 8 BEFORE YOU RENT....................................................................................................................26 Utility Averages Comparisons..............................................................................................................26 Avoiding Scams and Foreclosures......................................................................................................... 27 Things to Keep in Mind...............................................................................................................................28 Renters Insurance......................................................................................................................................... 29 Pet Insurance....................................................................................................................................................29 Lease Termination................................................................................................................... ......................29 Positioning the Lease Termination with the Landlord................................................................. 30 Sample Lease Transfer Addendum........................................................................................................31 CHAPTER 9 MOVING WITH PETS.................................................................................................................32 Preparing your pet for the move............................................................................................................32 Making a Pet Resume...................................................................................................................................32 CHAPTER 10 MOVING IN OUT OF YOUR RENTAL............................................................................36 Before moving into your rental...............................................................................................................36 Moving out of your rental..........................................................................................................................36 CONCLUSION.........................................................................................................................................................37 CONTENTS RToolkit OURCES Renter411 from PORCHLIGHT from PORCHLIGHT Rental RESOURCESfrom PORCHLIGHT GHT FONT QuaySans-Book NATIONAL RENTAL SERVICE 4