Fire
Highland Park Electrical Vault Fire Displaces 40 in Los Angeles
A pre-dawn electrical vault fire at a Highland Park apartment building in Los Angeles cut power and displaced about 40 residents. No injuries were reported.
Latest Renter News
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Rent & Market
San Francisco Rents Surge While Texas Metros Keep Falling
Fall rent reports show San Francisco leading the nation in rent growth while San Antonio, Denver, Houston and Las Vegas see flat or falling prices for tenants.
Safety
E-Bike and Scooter Battery Fires in Apartments: Risks and Rules
Lithium-ion e-bike and scooter batteries cause deadly apartment fires. FDNY and CPSC data, certification rules and safe charging habits for renters.
Fire
Somerville Five-Alarm Fire Displaces 43 in Teele Square
A five-alarm fire tore through a mixed-use building in Somerville's Teele Square on Sept. 30, displacing 43 residents from 32 homes. A relief fund is open.
Renter Guides
How to Spot a Rental Listing Scam Before You Pay
FTC data show renters lost about $65 million to rental scams since 2020. Learn the red flags, how to verify a listing and where to report fraud.
Housing Policy
NYC Rent Freeze Takes Effect as Landlord Lawsuit Moves Ahead
New York City's rent freeze on about 1 million stabilized apartments began Oct. 1, while a landlord lawsuit continues. What stabilized tenants should know.
Housing Policy
New HUD Fair Market Rents Take Effect, Changing Voucher Limits
HUD's fiscal 2027 Fair Market Rents took effect Oct. 1, with a 2% weighted-average increase that resets how much rent Section 8 vouchers can cover.
Rent & Market
Apartment Vacancy Falls to 7% as Rent Market Shows Rebound Signs
Apartment List says vacancy fell to 7% in September and rents dipped only 0.1%, a smaller seasonal drop hinting that the renter-friendly market is cooling.
Tenant Rights
California Extends Emergency Rent Caps to Long-Term Leases
Gov. Newsom signed SB 1365, which brings leases longer than one year under California's 10% emergency price-gouging cap starting Jan. 1, 2027.
Tenant Rights
Landlord Repair Duties and the Warranty of Habitability
What the warranty of habitability means, how to request repairs in writing, and why withholding rent without following your state's rules can backfire.
Tenant Rights
Judge Pauses New York's Ban on Rent-Setting Algorithms
A federal judge blocked part of New York's law banning landlords from setting rents with algorithmic software like RealPage. Here's what it means for tenants.
Fire
Woodridge Apartment Fire Displaces 57, Damages 41 Units
A gas-fed fire at Windsor Lakes Apartment Homes in Woodridge, Illinois, burned for more than nine hours, damaging 41 units and displacing 57 residents.
Fire
Federal Way Apartment Fire Displaces 40; Cooking Blamed
An unattended stovetop fire at a Federal Way, Washington, apartment complex spread to the third floor on Sept. 24, displacing about 40 residents from 18 units.
Fire
More FireFire
Highland Park Electrical Vault Fire Displaces 40 in Los Angeles
A pre-dawn electrical vault fire at a Highland Park apartment building in Los Angeles cut power and displaced about 40 residents. No injuries were reported.
Fire
Jacksonville Beach Fire Displaces 6; Tenants Cite Wiring Problems
At least six people lost their homes in an Oct. 4 mixed-use building fire in Jacksonville Beach; tenants allege wiring problems, but the cause is unconfirmed.
Fire
South Huntsville Apartment Fire Destroys 16 Units
An early fire at a South Huntsville apartment complex on Meadowbrook Drive displaced residents of 16 units on Oct. 6, the area's second such fire in 10 days.
Rent & Market
More Rent & MarketRent & Market
Zillow: Rent Growth Speeds Up to 2.7% as Mortgage Rates Climb
Zillow's September report shows typical U.S. rent at $1,932, up 2.7% from a year ago, as high mortgage rates keep would-be buyers in the rental market.
Rent & Market
San Francisco Rents Surge While Texas Metros Keep Falling
Fall rent reports show San Francisco leading the nation in rent growth while San Antonio, Denver, Houston and Las Vegas see flat or falling prices for tenants.
Rent & Market
Apartment Vacancy Falls to 7% as Rent Market Shows Rebound Signs
Apartment List says vacancy fell to 7% in September and rents dipped only 0.1%, a smaller seasonal drop hinting that the renter-friendly market is cooling.
Tenant Rights
More Tenant RightsTenant Rights
California Extends Emergency Rent Caps to Long-Term Leases
Gov. Newsom signed SB 1365, which brings leases longer than one year under California's 10% emergency price-gouging cap starting Jan. 1, 2027.
Tenant Rights
Landlord Repair Duties and the Warranty of Habitability
What the warranty of habitability means, how to request repairs in writing, and why withholding rent without following your state's rules can backfire.
Tenant Rights
Judge Pauses New York's Ban on Rent-Setting Algorithms
A federal judge blocked part of New York's law banning landlords from setting rents with algorithmic software like RealPage. Here's what it means for tenants.
Renter Guides
More Renter GuidesRenter Guides
How to Spot a Rental Listing Scam Before You Pay
FTC data show renters lost about $65 million to rental scams since 2020. Learn the red flags, how to verify a listing and where to report fraud.
Renter Guides
Renters Insurance After a Fire: Coverage, Loss of Use and Cost
What renters insurance pays after an apartment fire: belongings, liability and loss of use, plus replacement cost vs. cash value and typical premiums.
Renter Guides
After an Apartment Fire: A First-72-Hours Checklist for Tenants
Displaced by an apartment fire? A step-by-step checklist for the first three days: shelter, insurance, your landlord, documents, receipts and your lease.
Renter Tools
All toolsRent Affordability CalculatorHow much rent can you afford?Roommate Rent Split CalculatorSplit rent fairly with roommatesRent Increase CalculatorWhat does your increase really cost?Move-In Cost CalculatorTotal cash needed to moveRent vs. Buy CalculatorCompare renting and buyingRenters Insurance Coverage CalculatorHow much coverage do you need?Lease Notice Date CalculatorWhen must you give notice?Apartment Fire Safety ChecklistScore your home's fire readiness
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