RentCafe recently listed Nashville as one of the 50 best cities for renters, but I gotta say, I’m dubious. I know it’s hard out there for Nashville renters, with high rent prices, stagnant wages, and few protections for tenants. Here are some tips for renting in Nashville.
When I moved into my first apartment in Nashville back in 2007, my rent for a two-bedroom was $700. Things look a bit different now 🙃
- Studio: $1,582
- One bedroom: $1,714
- Two bedroom: $2,067
- Three bedroom: $2,381
🔍 Where To Find Rentals
Lots of websites list rentals, and allow you to filter your searches. Here are a few:
👯 Finding Roommates
One of the best ways to afford renting in Nashville is to find a roommate or three to offset the cost. I recommend asking your friends, family, and coworkers and posting on your personal social media pages first. If you’re still coming up short, or if that’s not a good option for you, here are a few other suggestions:
- Ask neighborhood or active local Facebook groups, like Nashville Roommates.
- Check Roomster, Roomies, DiGGZ, or the r/MoveToNashville subReddit.
Nashville doesn’t have rent control, and you don’t have the right to withhold rent if there are any issues. But you do have some rights:
- You have the right to live peacefully in the place you rent. Your landlord is not allowed inside without your permission, except in some circumstances.
- Your landlord must follow the lease.
- Your landlord cannot discriminate against you based on race, what country you’re from, sex, whether or not you have children, or disability.
- Your landlord must keep the place fit to live in and in good repair. Write down and date repair requests, take pictures, and if the request hasn’t been addressed in two weeks, you might have grounds to terminate the lease.
- More rights
- Have an issue that might violate your rights? Contact the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee.
📸 Other Tips for Renters
- Can you really afford the rent? Make a budget to see.
- Make a copy of your lease. Read the fine print and know how much your deposit will be, and if animals are allowed.
- Get renter’s insurance. One of the places I’ve rented was robbed once, and renter’s insurance was essential in replacing and repairing my possessions.
- Request recent utility bills from the utility companies before signing a lease. If there’s an electrical or plumbing problem, it might show up on the utility bill.
- Do a walk-through of the property, checking plumbing and electrical outlets. Take pictures if you notice anything that might need to be repaired, and bring it up immediately.
- Give two months’ notice before moving out, and take pictures after you clean up. This might help when you request your deposit to be returned.
- No credit? I hate to recommend this, but it might be worth getting a single credit card, making one purchase a month and immediately paying it off, to build your credit score.
