Here's a short checklist of factors, provided by Florida-based Apartment Hunters, that you'll want to consider when checking out a neighborhood. Of course, some of these factors may mean more to you than others, and you may want to consider some additional factors of your own. Hiring movers and paying your first month's rent only represent two small pieces of what can be a rather expensive pie. In addition, you're going to be subjected to a credit check, and you're required to prove that your gross monthly income is at a certain level, in order to provide your complex with some degree of security that you can pay your rent each month. So if you've overestimated your financial abilities in the past, either failing to make rent payments or credit-card payments, now is the time when that history could come back to haunt you.
Some apartments require separate deposits for roommates.
Verifiable gross monthly income is at least three times the monthly rent. A credit check will be conducted by the apartment community or management company representing the community. Any previous rental history will be verified, and mortgage payments may be included as rental history. Additionally, some communities are also conducting criminal background checks. All apartments require a written lease.