Finding an apartment
Is it better to rent from a private landlord or an apartment complex?
Updated By the Housing Rocket moderators
Short answer
Each has advantages. Apartment complexes usually offer on-site maintenance, online payments, amenities and consistent rules, but set prices and fees. Private landlords are often more flexible on rent, pets, credit and move-in dates, and may keep rent steady for good tenants, but repairs and professionalism depend on one person.
Think about what you need most from the arrangement.
- Choose a complex if you want repairs handled by staff, a portal for rent and requests, package handling, and less dependence on one person's schedule.
- Choose a private landlord if your application is unusual, you have a pet a complex would reject, you want to negotiate, or you prefer a house, duplex or older building with character.
Complexes tend to raise rent at renewal based on market pricing, and their standard fees can add up. Private landlords vary more. Some are excellent and keep the same tenants for years at modest increases. Others are slow with repairs or informal about paperwork.
With a private landlord, insist on a written lease, get receipts for every payment, and put repair requests in writing even if you also call. With a complex, read reviews that mention maintenance and renewal increases, since those affect you more than the pool.
Many private landlords never list on the big sites, so check local groups and signs if you want that option.
Want the whole picture? Read How to Find an Apartment in Facebook Housing Groups.