Rent a Property

Residential Rental Resources

Looking for a home for rent? Our professional agents can help you find your new place faster, because we screens out many dozens of places, and often previews them before you go, to save you time and stress.

Once you have found a home to like, the process is pretty simple! You complete a rental application with your personal information. You might bring proof of income, such as recent pay stubs. We will also make a photo copy of your driver’s license or other photo ID. When you’re ready to make an offer, your agent will run a credit report for you, for which you pay $25 per adult. The agent will help you make an offer for the rental you want.

You will need cash to cover 1 to 3 months’ rent: You will need to pay at least the first month’s rent when you submit your offer, and from $500 (corporate apartment buildings) to as much as two months’ rent as deposit when you sign your lease. Your agent holds onto these checks and submits them to the owner after the offer is accepted and leases are signed. Many landlords require you to get bank checks or money orders for these first payments, to make sure the checks clear before you move in.

Not sure if renting is right for you?

Renting vs. buying can be a hard decision. There are benefits to each choices, but you should talk with a Realtor to decide what is best for you and your family.

Renting vs. Buying

In CT and NY, there are many good reasons for people to jump into the world of homeownership. For some, it’s family and stability; for others, it’s a great job or pride of ownership; or perhaps, it’s simply the rising costs of residential rents. At some point, most people will ask themselves whether they should consider buying a house or condominium, rather than renting.

The most essential factor is whether your career plans require a lot of flexibility. If you are in a highly mobile industry and are likely to relocate to another state or country in the next one to three years, and if you want to retain some financial flexibility, then you are better off renting. However, if you feel you would be able to forego selling the home when you move and instead keep it as a rental property, then buying could be very attractive.

If you want to maintain the option of renting out your home in the future, you should endeavor to keep your monthly fixed costs (mortgage principal and interest, taxes, insurance, condo fees) below the market rent you can expect. Ask the advice of a real estate agent who understands the rental prices and vacancy rates in the area or building where you are considering buying.

Benefits of Buying

CUSTOMIZATION: Whether it’s a new paint color or knocking down walls, it’s your house and you can do what you want.
FIXED MONTHLY PAYMENT OPTION: Depending on the type of mortgage you choose, you can have a fixed payment for up to 30 years. There’s no landlord to raise your rent.
TAX ADVANTAGES: If you own the home as a personal residence, you could take a federal tax deduction for mortgage interest, property taxes and some of the costs involved in buying a home.
APPRECIATION: Historically, real estate has had a long-term, stable growth in value. In fact, median single-family existing home sale prices have increased on average 5.2 percent each year from 1972 through 2014, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.
EQUITY: Money paid for rent is money that you’ll never spend again, but a part of your mortgage payments lets you build equity in your home.
PREDICTABILITY: Unlike rent, your fixed-rate mortgage payments don’t rise over the years, so your housing costs may actually decline as you own the home longer; however, keep in mind that property taxes and insurance costs will likely increase.
STABILITY: Living in one neighborhood for long enough allows you and your family time to build long-lasting relationships within the community.

Benefits of Renting

NO MAINTENANCE: With a lot of rental units, especially apartment complexes and multifamily apartments, maintenance and repair is on the landlord or property manager, which means more free time for you.
AMENITIES: Many apartment complexes and condos have pools, workout facilities, office space, and some even have grills and an outdoor television! Not a bad way to meet new people and use up the free time you’ve earned NOT mowing a lawn.
KEEP YOUR OPTIONS OPEN: We are living in an age where employment opportunities can take you to different sides of our country and across the continents. Not being tied to a mortgage gives space for another kind of freedom.
SAVE FOR A DOWN PAYMENT: Renting while saving for your dream home is a good plan of action but requires some direction. Talk to a mortgage broker and find out how much you will qualify for. This could save you major headaches down the road.
LESS RISK: Some people opt to rent because they simply do not want to take the risks of investing their money in real estate, even their own real estate. That’s cool too. When you’re ready, you’ll know it.
DISCOVER NEIGHBORHOODS: Renting allows you to get a lay of the land while not totally committing. While you’re discovering your new town or city, consider living downtown and enjoying all of the great restaurants and shops your town offers.
STABILITY: Living in one neighborhood for long enough allows you and your family time to build long-lasting relationships within the community.

Landlords Rental Resources

Do you own residential rental property in CT or NY? Or are you thinking of renting out your home for the first time? Or are you a seasoned veteran looking for a strong real estate agent? The professional Realtors^® at BHGRE Shore & Country Properties are here to help you.

Renting with BHGRE Shore & Country Properties

Our goal is to help you find high quality tenants quickly at a good rent.
We put your rental listing on the of Realtors^® look for rentals for their clients.
We pre-screen the candidates and take them to see a selection of rentals that meet their needs. We present your property in its best light.
When candidates like your rental, we have them fill out a comprehensive application; they pay for a credit report, and we ask them for proof of legal income (such as a pay stub), and if necessary, a letter of reference from a current landlord. You don’t waste your time doing all of this, we do it for you.
The candidate makes an offer to you based on credit-worthiness and other factors. We help you reach agreement on rent and security and we can arrange for you to meet the candidate if you wish. Remember…our goal is for you to find high quality tenants at a good rent.
We draw up a lease that is legally sound and easy to understand.
When your new tenant has signed the lease and paid the first month’s rent and security deposits, you pay us our fee, typically one month’s rent. We never charge a fee for a lease renewal.

You must comply with state and local regulations regarding tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities. Some helpful sites are listed here:

State of CT website for regulations on housing matters, landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities, rules for handling security deposits and eviction.

You should become familiar with the federal and state fair housing laws, which prohibit discrimination against prospective tenants based on factors such as their race, religion, national origin, and several other categories of protection. These laws vary depending on the number of rental units in your building and whether this is an owner-occupied home. Check with your attorney to make sure you are complying with fair housing laws in CT and NY.

You should also keep good records of rent income and repairs, mortgage payments, and so on, and you should have a separate escrow savings account for the security deposit. Speak with your tax advisor about how you will report your rental income and how much of your expenses may be tax deductible.

NOTE: This website does not offer legal or tax advice, so please contact your attorney or tax advisor for more detailed information.

Rent a Property

Residential Rental Resources

Renting vs. Buying

Landlords Rental Resources

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