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.
All Renter News
Every Renter News story: apartment fires, renter safety, rent prices, tenant rights, housing policy and renter guides.
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Rent & 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.
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.
Tenant Rights
How to Get Your Security Deposit Back: A Renter's Guide
Document move-in and move-out, know your state's return deadline, and dispute unfair deductions. Examples from California, New York and Texas law.
Safety
Apartment Fire Safety: Smoke Alarms, Escape Plans and Top Risks
NFPA and USFA data on why working smoke alarms matter, how to plan an apartment escape, and how to cut the biggest risks: cooking, space heaters and batteries.
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.
Fire
Lightning Fire at Wesley Chapel Apartments Leaves 167 Displaced
A lightning strike set off a three-alarm fire at Cobalt Apartments in Wesley Chapel, Florida, destroying a building and displacing more than 160 residents.
Rent & Market
Shelter Inflation Eases to 3% as Rent Index Rises 2.7%
August CPI data show shelter inflation slowing to 3% and rent up 2.7% over the year, as gas prices kept overall inflation at 3.4%. What it means for renters.
Fire
Escondido Senior Apartment Fire Hospitalizes 5; Dogs Rescued
A second-floor fire at a senior apartment community in Escondido, California, sent five people to hospitals and temporarily displaced more than 30 residents.
Safety
CO Leak at Gaithersburg Apartments Sends 12 to Hospitals
A faulty oven caused a carbon monoxide leak at Streamside Apartments in Gaithersburg, Maryland, sending 12 people, including seven children, to hospitals.
Fire
Fort Worth Mariposa Park Apartment Fire Displaces About 50
A three-alarm fire at Mariposa Park Apartments in west Fort Worth damaged about 50 units and injured five people, including a firefighter, on Aug. 25.
Fire
San Jose Apartment Fire Displaces 13 Residents and Their Pets
San Jose apartment fire displaces 13 residents and pets, damages multiple units, and prompts Red Cross aid. Cause remains under investigation.
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