Renter guides
Know your rights. Rent smarter.
Practical, plain-English guides to the situations every renter runs into.
How Much Is Renters Insurance for $100,000 of Coverage?
$100,000 of renters insurance usually costs a few hundred dollars a year, but the phrase means two different things. Here's what it covers and what you likely need.
Read guideHow to Split Rent by Square Footage (With a Worked Example)
Splitting rent evenly rarely feels fair when bedrooms differ. Here's how to split by room size, handle shared spaces and private bathrooms, with real numbers.
October 15, 2026 · 5 min readDepositsSecurity Deposit Return Deadlines, Ranked by State
How long your landlord can legally hold your security deposit after you move out, ranked for all 50 states plus D.C. - from 14-day states to 60-day states.
July 3, 2026 · 6 min readRentWhich States Actually Cap Rent Increases? (Only 3 Do, in 2026)
Most U.S. states let landlords raise rent by any amount. See the only 3 states with a statewide cap on annual increases - and what counts as rent control.
July 3, 2026 · 5 min readInsuranceHow Much Renters Insurance Do You Need? (2026 Guide)
A simple way to figure out how much personal property coverage to buy - plus the high-value items that standard policies quietly cap, and what to do about them.
June 26, 2026 · 6 min readLeases10 Lease Clauses That Should Be Red Flags
Before you sign, watch for these clauses - many are unenforceable, and all of them tilt the lease heavily toward the landlord.
June 24, 2026 · 7 min readScams7 Rental Scam Red Flags (and How to Avoid Losing a Deposit)
Rental scams cost renters millions every year. Learn the seven warning signs that a listing or 'landlord' is fake - before you send a cent.
June 20, 2026 · 5 min readRentIs My Rent Increase Legal? What Renters Need to Know
Most states don't cap rent, but there are real rules on notice and a few statewide caps. Here's how to tell whether your increase is allowed.
June 15, 2026 · 5 min readDepositsHow to Get Your Security Deposit Back (Step by Step)
A clear, practical guide to recovering your security deposit - including the deadlines, what landlords can legally deduct, and how to write a demand letter.
June 10, 2026 · 6 min read