The online classifieds website, Craigslist.org, hosts many posts and advertisements. Although most are for items you can buy or trade in, you will also find apartments for rent. Before agreeing to rent an apartment from someone you met on Craigslist, there are some important questions to ask. What are they?

Question: What is the monthly rent?

It is important to ask this question even if the landlord describes the monthly rent on Craigslist. Why? Because they can try to change the price. Also, some owners have several properties and apartments for rent. Don’t let a simple mistake cost you more money in rent. Ask before scheduling a showing and then ask again before signing your official lease.

Question: Other than the first month’s rent, what else do I have to pay?

This question is important because it will let you know if you can really afford the apartment in question. It is not uncommon for a landlord to ask a new tenant for a security deposit and first month’s rent in advance. Others even request the last month’s rent as well. If you are on a tight budget, this may not be possible.

Question: What kind of personal information do you need from me?

This question not only allows you to be prepared when meeting with the landlord or signing the lease, but it can also alert you to a scam. Many landlords like to do background checks on new tenants; however, some scammers have used this as an opportunity to obtain social security numbers. Don’t decline the background check if you really want the apartment, but see if your background check can be done without your social security number or if you can apply for it yourself.

Question: Can I see the apartment?

The answer to this question must always be yes. You should never agree to rent an apartment or sign a lease without seeing it first. Make sure the apartment is as described. This question can also alert you to potential apartment rental scams on Craigslist. As noted above, some scammers will pose as landlords and claim that they need your social security number, bank account information, or credit card number. They will be totally against a demo because they don’t have an apartment to show; they invented it.

The questions mentioned above are just a few of the many you will want to ask a property owner before agreeing to rent an apartment that you found on Craigslist. You should ask these questions before scheduling a visit to save time, money, and hassle.