How to Rent a House in Austin

Austin has been described as the “blueberry in the tomato soup” of Texas. The cultured city features a thriving art community, great retail and hospitality options, business opportunities and more. It’s no wonder why more and more people are considering settling their “home, sweet home” in Austin. If you are looking for a rental home, a lot of preliminary research can be done online. This is especially helpful if you do not currently live in the Austin area.

Instructions

1. Determine what neighborhood you want to live in. Central Austin houses downtown offers great restaurants and nightlife. West Austin has Tarrytown and Westlake Hills among other neighborhoods. These areas are close to downtown and nice homes. SoCo is located in southern Austin and it offers some of the hippest culture Texas has to offer. Be sure to research the neighborhoods thoroughly to find out what area is best for you (see Resources below).

2. Try Austin Landlord. This is the most helpful rental resource on the web for the Austin area. Not only does the site actually feature addresses and detailed information about the available rentals, it includes pictures and availability notes. There is also plenty of contact numbers in case you find a place you like and actually want to talk to a real person. (See Resources below.)

3. Visit the Austin Craig' s List channel. Craig's List is increasingly becoming the most often referenced classified compilation in cities all over the country. Explore homes available for rent, or take out a free ad describing the type of house you are looking for. (See Resources below.)

4. Scope the classifieds section in “The Statesman” newspaper. You can even use the online edition to search the homes available. Use the programmable search menu to narrow your results by type of rental, price, and more. (See Resources below.)

5. Try the “Daily Texan” Classified. The Daily Texan is the student run publication for the University of Texas at Austin. Listed in both the printed an online version of this newspaper are very affordable rental opportunities. (See Resources below.)

6. Try the Austin channel on Rentals.com. This website allows you to narrow your search to duplexes, townhouses, lofts, and vacation rentals. The site features homes, pictures, descriptions, and more.

7. Go for a drive in your desired area of Austin and check for signs. Keep your eyes opened for rental opportunities.

8. Fill out a rental application once you have found a place you like. You will need to provide evidence that you make three times the amount of rent per month, so bring pay stubs and earning statements. You may need to pay application fees. Also, it is likely you will have to submit to a credit check to prove your worthiness of moving into the home. Once you are approved, you will need to sign a lease.

9. Be prepared to pay first and last month's rent as well as any security deposit before you move in. If you have pets, you will need to be sure your home allows pets. Many might require you to pay a separate pet deposit to cover any damages your pet might create to the home.

Tips & Warnings

• Start looking for a home 30 to 60 days before you plan to move in.

• Read the lease carefully before signing. It might even be a good idea to have an attorney review your lease prior to signing.

Resources

• Austin Landlord
• Austin Craigslist
• The Statesman Newspaper
• The Daily Texan Student Newspaper
• Austin Neighborhoods