Renting a home in the USA

What landlords ask for

• Many landlords buy a tenant screening report. It can include credit history, past rental records and eviction cases, job verification, criminal background and a score based on the landlord's criteria. Source
• Turned down because of a report? Within 60 days you can get a free copy from the company that made it, and dispute anything wrong. Source
• Until you have agreed to rent a place, a landlord doesn't need your Social Security number. Source
• Tip No US credit history yet? Offer your job offer letter, bank statements and references from previous landlords abroad.

Deposit rules

• California: since 1 July 2024 a security deposit is at most one month's rent, furnished or not. Small landlords (one or two properties, at most four units) may ask for two months. Source
• California: within 21 days after you move out, the landlord must return the deposit or send an itemised list of deductions. Source
• New York: a security deposit is at most one month's rent; within 14 days after you move out the landlord must return it or itemise deductions. Source
• Texas: the landlord must refund the deposit within 30 days after you leave, but only once you have given a written forwarding address. Source
• Tip Other states: check your state attorney general's tenant page – limits and deadlines vary.

Your rights as a tenant

• The federal Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to discriminate in renting because of race, colour, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or disability. You can report it to HUD. Source
• Cities and counties can add protections on top of state law – in California, for example, some require interest on deposits. Source

Your first weeks

Signing a long-term lease for a home you haven't seen is risky. Plan somewhere to stay while you view homes in person.

• Tip Ask your hospital whether relocation assistance covers temporary housing, and for how long.
• Tip Furnished monthly rentals let you view long-term homes before you sign a 12-month lease.

What rent costs

Official statistics only. Your city can be far above or below the average.

Avoid rental scams

Rental scams work best on people who can't view a home in person – for example because they are still abroad.

Checklist before you pay anything

1. Never pay a deposit, rent or “key fee” for a home that you, or someone you trust, have not viewed in person – and not before you have a signed contract.

   Advice from Report Fraud (UK police) · Scamwatch (Australia) · Verbraucherzentrale (Germany) · Make it in Germany

2. The “landlord” is abroad and can't show you the home, but will send the keys by post or courier once you transfer money. This is the classic scam.

   Advice from German police crime prevention · Verbraucherzentrale (Germany) · Scamwatch (Australia) · US Federal Trade Commission

3. The rent is far below similar homes in the area, or you are pushed to decide and pay quickly.

   Advice from US Federal Trade Commission · Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre · Scamwatch (Australia)

4. You are asked to pay by money transfer service, gift card or cryptocurrency, or into an account abroad. That is like sending cash – it is rarely recovered.

   Advice from US Federal Trade Commission · Scamwatch (Australia) · Report Fraud (UK police)

5. Search the address, the photos and the advertiser's name online. Fraudsters copy photos from real listings, and the same home may appear elsewhere with a different owner.

   Advice from Report Fraud (UK police) · US Federal Trade Commission · Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre · Scamwatch (Australia)

6. Don't send copies of your passport or ID card, or your bank details, to someone you have never met before you have agreed to rent.

   Advice from Verbraucherzentrale (Germany) · US Federal Trade Commission · Scamwatch (Australia)

7. Fees just to view a home are a warning sign. In Germany, charging for a viewing is not permitted.

   Advice from Make it in Germany · German police crime prevention

8. If you paid: call your bank at once, keep every message and the listing, and report it (links on each country page). Hang up on anyone who later offers to “recover” your money for a fee.

   Advice from Report Fraud (UK police) · Scamwatch (Australia)

Where people search

• Zillow Rentals Homes and apartments to rent
• Apartments.com Apartments to rent
• Furnished Finder Furnished monthly rentals, built for travelling nurses

Plain links to the main rental sites. PassPeers has no partnership with them. We don't copy or check their listings – use the scam checklist above for every ad.

Agencies that help you relocate

No relocation agency is listed for the USA yet.

Do you help health professionals relocate to the USA? List your agency.

Other countries