Renting your first apartment in Baltimore is a big deal. If you’re a student or a young professional shifting out on your own, it’s exciting. Finding a place that feels right is good, but you’ll also deal with ‘money maths’, paperwork, and rules you’ve never seen. Ask the right questions early, otherwise you can get stuck with hidden charges or a lease you’ll regret later.
Wondering what to ask when you check out rentals? Start with these five core questions. They cover the costs, the location, the contract, your application, and the actual condition of the unit. Use them as a checklist of questions to ask when renting a home and you’ll walk into lease signing with a lot more confidence.
1. “What will I really pay every month—and up front?”
Rent is only the headline number. Tell the landlord to list out every monthly charge, with a full cost break-up. That means all the extras: electricity, gas, water, trash, Wi‑Fi or cable, plus any building charges like a package locker or amenity fee. Parking is usually separate. If you’ve got a car, ask the monthly rate or if you need a street permit.
Next, check the move‑in money. How much is the security deposit? Any application or credit check fee? Are they asking for first and last month’s rent upfront before handing over the keys? Some places add a move‑in fee or ask for renters insurance proof upfront.
Write every item, add it up, and see if it fits the budget you already set. This is one of the key questions before signing a lease it tells you the real cost of living there, not just the rent on the ad. When you list things to ask a landlord before renting an apartment, start with the money.
2. “Does the location work for my daily life?”
Baltimore is a place that can vary a lot block to block, and zip codes are not going to do the trick. Just take a look at the distance of the location to your college or office and how you would get there on a regular working day morning. If you plan to use public transport, find out how often the buses or Light Rail come and till what time they run. If safety worries you—and it should—go once in daylight and once after dark. Try to talk to a few neighbours also.
Check the basics: a grocery you can get to without a long drive, a pharmacy, a laundromat if your unit doesn’t have a machine. Parking rules matter too. Some areas need resident permits, some streets get packed after 6 p.m. These are small questions to ask before renting, but they matter a lot later. A cheap apartment that adds an hour to your commute or leaves you walking blocks from a bus stop at night is not a good deal.
3. “What exactly does the lease say about time, rules, and getting out early?”
The lease is a contract, so slow down and read it. Ask the landlord to explain anything that feels fuzzy. What’s the lease period—six months, one year, or more? What happens after that—does it go month-to-month or auto-renew? If you have a pet or want one later, what’s the policy and deposit? Are there limits on guests or quiet hours? Can you sublet if you get an internship out of state? What’s the fee if you need to break the lease early? Some landlords ask for a set amount, others expect you to pay the rent until they find a new tenant.
Make sure the lease says how much notice the landlord must give before entering your unit. Maryland requires notice except for emergencies, and your lease should match that. Also look for how rent can increase on renewal. That is the crux of the questions you should ask a landlord before you sign a lease: duration, restrictions, fines as well as your obligations. Whatever is not clear, request it in writing and sign it. Now it is more cost-effective to answer clearly than to become embroiled in an argument.
4. “What do you need from me to approve my application?”
Be ready before you even schedule a tour. Most landlords will ask for a photo ID, a few recent salary slips or your offer letter, and permission to check your credit. If you hardly have any rental history, they might ask for a co-signer usually your parent or some relative with better credit. Students can use financial aid letters or loan documents to show they can pay. Past landlord references help, but
if you’re brand new, a supervisor or RA can still show you’re responsible. Having these documents in one folder (digital or hard copy) makes you fast and organized. When competition is tight, the prepared applicant wins. This is a practical part of what to ask when looking at rental properties: “What documents do you need from me, and how fast will you decide?” It sets expectations and lets you plan your timeline.
5. “What shape is the apartment really in—and who fixes what?”
Photos don’t show everything. When you tour, test things. Open every tap and the shower. See the water pressure and if hot water is coming or not. Switch on every light. Open the windows and check they lock properly. Walk around with your phone in different corners to see the network. Look inside cabinets and under the sink for leaks, mould, or pests. Check common areas also. A dirty corridor or overflowing trash room tells you a lot about the management only. Ask how to report a repair and how fast they usually respond.
Is emergency maintenance available at night or on weekends? In older Baltimore buildings, ask about lead paint rules if you see peeling paint. These are real-world questions to ask before signing a lease, not just “Is the place nice?” You want to know the condition today and the plan when something breaks tomorrow.
How These Five Questions Cover the Full Picture
If you look back, you’ll see that each question opens up a set of smaller ones. That’s on purpose. “What will I really pay?” leads you through rent, utilities, internet, and deposits. “Does the location work?” reminds you to think about transit, safety, and daily needs. “What does the lease say?” pushes you to read for term length, pet rules, guest limits, and exit options. “What do you need from me?” gets your paperwork lined up so you’re not scrambling. “What shape is it in?” makes you test things instead of trusting a gallery of staged photos.
All this together is the main list of questions to ask when you rent a place in Baltimore—or anywhere. It also lines up with what people usually Google: “questions to ask when renting a home,” “questions to ask before signing a lease,” and “things to ask a landlord before renting an apartment.” Use them as a script. It’s okay to take notes or even hand the landlord a short list. You’re making a legal and financial choice, not buying a T-shirt.
Extra Local Notes (Keep Them Handy)
Maryland law caps the security deposit. The landlord has to give you a receipt, and after you move out they must return the balance within the set time, minus any damage they can prove. They have to keep the place safe and livable. They can’t just land up without notice unless it’s a real emergency. And they definitely can’t lock you out or cut utilities to push you to leave.
If something feels off, contact the Maryland Attorney General’s consumer protection division or a local tenant group. It doesn’t hurt to bookmark those sites before you sign. While this section isn’t one of the five main questions, it supports them by telling you what answers should look like under state rules.
Bringing It All Together
If you want renting to go smoothly, prep first. Ask the right questions, read the lease line by line, and know your rights. Keep your documents ready and fix your budget. Then start checking places that fit your life and your pocket—maybe a small studio near campus or a shared row house with friends closer to work.
The Mt Washington Group encourages renters to stay informed and confident at every step.
Keep your list of questions to ask the landlord right in front of you only. If an answer sounds vague, ask again till it’s clear. If the numbers don’t match, leave it and move on. Baltimore has plenty of options. The right one should make sense on paper and when you see it in person.
Use these five questions as your roadmap, and you’ll sign with a lot less stress. Then you can focus on picking paint colors (if allowed) and figuring out the best pizza spot on your block, instead of arguing about late fees or repair response times. That’s the goal: clear questions now, fewer problems later.