It is the summer season in Houston, and it is HOT in more way than one. In addition to being unseasonably hot this June, this is also when the real estate rental market is at its hottest! In this article, I am going to tell you how to rent a house in Houston, Texas. Whether you’re moving to Houston, or moving around Houston, you might be thinking about renting a house, townhouse, or condominium, instead of a traditional apartment. You might even be interested in something with charm such as a duplex, four-plex, garage apartment, or even a Melrose-place style community in Montrose. Renting any of the above is a LOT different from renting a traditional apartment.

Individually Owned

The first thing you should know is that houses, townhouses, duplexes, four-plexes, and small communities are typically individually owned. We also refer to them as privately owned. More often than not, the owner of these types of rental properties is a regular person like you or me that just happens to have enough money saved, or good enough credit to have been able to purchase a second home. This second home is their investment property, and odds are they may still be paying a mortgage on this investment. This is different from apartment complexes that are corporately owned. Most large apartment communities are owned by large corporations that most likely own many apartment communities in the city, state, or nation. Additionally, owners may be more flexible than apartment communities when it comes to criminal history or pets, but they’re likely to be more strict when it comes to rental history and credit.

30 Day Notice

Secondly, individually owned (or privately owned) properties are on a 30 day notice. If you’re currently living in a large apartment community, you are probably familiar with a 60 day notice. Since you’re thinking about renting a house or something different, you will find yourself in a bit of a catch 22. You will have to submit your notice at your apartment community at least 30 days before you find and secure your new home.

Pre-lease Limitations

Another important fact is that houses and the like cannot be held for a long time like apartments. You can’t really “pre-lease” these types of rental properties. Anything currently on the market can be held two, maybe four weeks, max. This goes back to that 30 day notice. As soon as a landlord receives notice that the current tenant is moving out, they’re going to try to find a new tenant, and they need the new tenant to move in right away. If a unit is already vacant by the time you tour it, they REALLY need a new tenant to move in ASAP. While the property sits vacant, it doesn’t earn rent, and this puts the landlord in a tough position when it comes to paying the mortgage on the property. Unlike large apartment communities, the landlord can’t rely on income other units or even other communities to help with the bills of this property.

Deposits

There are additional costs associated with an individually owned rental also. For one, the deposit is going to be one full month’s rent. In an apartment community, deposits are typically $100-$500, but for something like a house or duplex, be prepared to pay a whole month’s rent as your deposit. The deposit is refundable at move out. If your credit isn’t so great, be prepared to pay a double or triple deposit.

Rent

If you move in on any day other than the first, you still have to pay a full month’s rent. Hold up, though! You’re not going to overpay, though! If you live in an apartment community, you probably paid prorated rent at move in. With individually owned properties, it is customary to pay the full rent up front at move in, but the second month will be prorated. So, you’re just swapping the payments for the first and second months.

Repairs

Be prepared to pay a repair deductible for every repair. If you live in an apartment, you’re probably familiar with 24 hour maintenance, and they’ll fix just about everything! It turns out, Texas law really only requires a landlord to maintain and repair a few items on a property, and the rest really are the responsibility of the tenant. Despite all the negative reviews that some apartment communities get, many of them really are going above and beyond, it turns out! In your new house or duplex, be advised that it is very likely you will be responsible for the first $50-$100 of every repair.

Urgency

If you liked it, then you shoulda put an app on it! Beyoncé’s words couldn’t explain any better how quickly rental properties fly off the market in Houston. Every summer, thousands of people move to Houston, and a large number of them prefer to rent something individually owned. With an apartment community, if your preferred unit is leased, there are probably 10 more of that same or similar style available. With a house, when that one leases, it’s gone. Plan to see as many as you can in one day, and to make a decision that same day.