How to Rent an Apartment in Nashville

1. Gather your documents

Most Nashville landlords ask for the same basics. Having these ready before you tour keeps the process moving:

• Government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or consular ID)
• Social Security number, or an ITIN at communities that accept one (ask before you apply)
• Proof of income for the last 30–60 days (pay stubs or a job offer letter)
• Bank statements or references if you're self-employed
• Contact info for a previous landlord or a co-signer

2. Understand what it will cost

A typical Nashville rental has more than one line item. Budget for:

• First month's rent, due at move-in
• Security deposit — usually one month's rent, sometimes less with good credit
• Application fees (often $25 to $100 per adult; ask before you pay)
• Utilities (electric, water, internet) — often not included
• Renters insurance — required by most communities. In 2022, the average renters insurance policy in Tennessee cost $187 a year, about $16 a month (NAIC). Your price depends on coverage and deductible.

A good rule of thumb: your rent should be no more than about a third of your take-home pay.

3. Credit and background checks

Most Nashville landlords screen every adult on the lease. You don't need perfect credit — many communities on Nolensville Pike work with first-time renters and newcomers. If your credit is thin, ask about:

• A larger deposit in place of a credit score
• Adding a co-signer
• Bringing a letter of employment or savings statement

4. Tour before you sign

Never rent an apartment you haven't seen in person. When you tour, check for:

• Water pressure and hot water
• Working smoke detectors
• Signs of pests or leaks under sinks
• Cell signal inside the unit
• Parking, laundry, and how safe the walk feels at night

Touring first also protects you from fake listings — never send a deposit before you've been inside the unit. Our guide to spotting rental scams in Nashville covers the warning signs.

5. Read the lease carefully

Before you sign, know exactly:

• When rent is due and the late fee
• The pet policy and any deposits or "pet rent"
• How much notice you must give to move out
• Who pays for repairs and how to submit a work order
• Whether utilities are included and how they're billed
• Who manages the property, who to serve with legal notices, and the phone number, email, or portal for maintenance — Tennessee landlords must give you this in writing at signing (T.C.A. 66-28-302, as amended effective January 1, 2025)

If English isn't your first language, ask for a translator or a bilingual leasing agent. Many Nolensville Pike communities have Spanish-speaking staff on site.

6. Pick the right neighborhood

The Nolensville Pike corridor in South Nashville has grocery stores that stock the ingredients you actually cook with, restaurants from a dozen countries, and Spanish-speaking businesses along the street.

The Pike also has WeGo bus service — Route 52 runs along Nolensville Pike to WeGo Central downtown, where you can connect to other routes, including Route 18 to the airport.

7. Move-in day

Do these on day one:

• Do a move-in walkthrough and take photos of every room
• Turn on power, water, and internet in your name — our utilities setup guide covers who to call and when
• Change your address with USPS, your bank, and your employer
• Save your leasing office's number and the after-hours emergency line