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What do ISO, LF, BR and other abbreviations in housing posts mean?
Updated By the Housing Rocket moderators
Short answer
ISO means 'in search of' and LF means 'looking for', both used by people seeking a place. BR is bedroom and BA is bathroom, so 2BR/1BA means two bedrooms and one bathroom. Other common ones are MTM for month-to-month, OBO for 'or best offer', and 'utils incl.' for utilities included in the rent.
Other terms you will see often:
- Studio: one main room with a kitchen area, plus a separate bathroom.
- Room in 3BR: a private bedroom in a three-bedroom place, sharing the kitchen and living room.
- Private bath or ensuite: a bathroom only you use.
- Sublet or sublease: renting from a current tenant for part of their lease.
- Lease takeover: taking over someone's lease for the rest of its term, usually with the landlord's approval.
- Furnished: some furniture included. Ask exactly what, since it varies from a bed to a fully equipped kitchen.
- Available 9/1: the move-in date, month first in US posts.
- No fee: no broker fee, a phrase common in markets such as New York.
- DM or PM: send the poster a private message.
Comments such as "pending" or "taken" under a listing usually mean the poster has a likely tenant. When a post uses a term you do not recognize, ask in the comments rather than guessing, because "utilities included" and "utilities split" can make a real difference to what you pay each month.
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