Things I’ve learned while trying to rent an apartment:

If the rent at first seems reasonable, get ready. They going to pile parking fees, water and sewer fees on top of that, and instead of giving you a storage bin in the basement, they will rent you a storage unit with metal doors. Only $59.95!

And if your income is even $10 short of their standard, they want a co-signer — or two years’ rent locked into a dedicated account. They also require renters’ insurance — which, as I learned earlier this year, only covers your possessions, not damage to the apartment. That is only covered by the owner’s insurance.

Which tells me they’re forcing you to buy insurance so they can collect a commission.

If you have money to burn, you may shrug at these things. I don’t.