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Apartment Search Looking For an Apartment to Rent If you have been accepted into a program that provides you with a rental assistance "subsidy", then your journey has just begun. Now you need to figure out what kind of apartment you need and want to rent on the private market. If you received a subsidy, you will pay no more than 1/3 of your household income towards rent and utilities. The housing agency or program will pay the rest directly to the landlord. Your total housing costs, which include rent and utilities, cannot be higher than the Fair Market Rent (FMR) or other pre-set limit for the area you want to live. The housing agency will tell you what the FMR or other limit is for your area. If you received a subsidy, you have between 60 and 120 days to find an apartment. If you cannot find an apartment within that time, you will lose the subsidy. What do I look for in an apartment? Is there a train or bus stop near the apartment? How far is it from the apartment? Is the apartment good for my kids? Is the street safe? Is there a playground nearby? Is the apartment close to a grocery store or department store? Can I walk to the store from the apartment? Can I get to my doctor’s office from the apartment? Can I easily get from the apartment to the hospital? Do I like the hospital that’s close to the apartment? Is my children’s doctor close to the apartment? How easily can I get to it? Is the apartment close to where I work? How long would it take me to get to work from the apartment? Is the apartment close to where I go to school? How long would it take me to get to school from the apartment? What’s the neighborhood like around the apartment? Is there a lot of crime? Would I feel safe in this neighborhood? Would I let my children walk alone in this neighborhood? Where do I look for apartments? There are apartment listings everywhere. Here are some suggestions:
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