If you’re new to town and looking to find a place to rent, your only option may be outside the city.

Todd Hollow Apartments on Deer Mountain Boulevard said they still had two-bedroom units available for six-month leases as of Thursday, but most other apartment complexes have waiting lists. Aspen Villas has 50 candidates waiting for an opening.

The Mountainlands Community Housing Trust or Park City keeps lists of condominiums and apartments that set aside units as “affordable housing,” but many of those seek only long-term tenants. Many single-unit rentals run for around $1,300 per month within the city.

Public transportation to Park City from the East Side and Wasatch County, where rentals are more plentiful and often more affordable, is limited, but many permanent residents from those communities participate in carpools into town.

What the locals say

All of these challenges aside, open units are still posted in local classifieds. Rental experts encourage potential tenants to think ahead about what they want, ask specific questions and know exactly how long they’ll stay.

Ellen Anderson, manager for Anderson Apartments on Main Street, said apartment shoppers should make clear what they’re supposed to pay. Are utility bills like water, lights and sewage included in the rent? She also said they also need to scrutinize a property before moving in. Is it in good shape? Are all the appliances working?

Lucy Mainwaring, a manager at Aspen Villas on Kearns Boulevard, said tenants should think carefully about what living in that location will be like: how close is the grocery store and the bus stop? What school can children attend? Is there parking? Is it included in the rent? Is it covered?

Mainwaring laments that there aren’t more affordable living opportunities in the area, but apartments like hers also have rules about the number of tenants allowed: two people per bedroom.

On the web

In addition to classified sections in local media outlets, the website housinghelp.org, run by the Mountainlands Community Housing Trust, has a comprehensive and user-friendly program that allows searchers to select the type of unit they’re looking for and the areas they hope to live in within Summit and Wasatch counties. It also allows potential tenants and potential landlords to enter their information in a database to aid suitable match-ups.

For a broader search of the surrounding area, websites like SaltLakeRent.com keeps tallies on available units in all Wasatch Front communities. It also offers advice to seekers.

Some other questions it suggests to ask property owners and managers include:

What do neighbors say about the safety of and crime in the neighborhood?

Will your unit be near high-traffic areas like the complex pool or laundry room?

How often does the rent increase and how timely are the managers at making requested repairs?

It also encourages apartment hunters to find out how many telephone jacks are in the unit, how big is the closet or storage space? How are late-rent payments handed? And important for seasonal workers: how long are the leases and what are the penalties for breaking a lease?

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development refers renters to an unaffiliated website giving tips for tenants at NOLO.com.

Know your rights

When applying for a unit in a competitive situation, the website encourages applicants to come to a tour or interview with all necessary paperwork ready including the application, written references from previous landlords, employers and even colleagues. A current copy of one’s credit report might also be a good idea.

Possessing these documents reveals one’s serious interest in the unit and shortens the processing time for the manager.

Although unfair lease requirements (such as forced sharing of utility bills) are rarely upheld by a court in the case of litigation, NOLO.com recommends renters carefully study lease agreements before signing to avoid possible problems and expensive legal action.

Restrictions about pets, guests, design alterations and running a home business may not be made clear during initial visits with a manager but will be included in a lease.

The excitement of moving into a new apartment can distract people from taking necessary steps to protect themselves. NOLO.com encourages tenants to put every communication with landlord in writing. Whether it is the lease agreement or a request to fix the garbage disposal, each party should have a physical copy of every negotiation.

It also recommends tenants to keep a cool head when dealing with problems. While legal action may come to mind during a serious dispute, frequent and open communication with a manager or landlord is a lot less expensive than an attorney.

Renter’s insurance is usually affordable and can make a big difference when trying to overcome the consequences of a catastrophic accident.

NOLO.com also encourages renters to protect their security deposit by making a careful and detailed list of every flaw in the unit so as not to be charged for it later. Moving out is usually the last thing on the minds of people moving into a home, but a little extra time spent can save money later.

It also warns that deposits are supposed to be used only for abnormal repairs after the tenants leave:

“Landlords use the deposit to cover unpaid rent and perform needed repairs or cleaning that results from more than normal use. But your security deposit should not go towards remedying ordinary wear and tear during your occupancy. For instance, a landlord cannot withhold your deposit to pay for house cleaning, carpet cleaning, or repainting unless these chores were necessary because of your unreasonable use of the rental.”

Seasonal workers should be aware of the difference between a rental agreement and a lease. According to NOLO.com, rental agreements are for short periods of time (often 30 days) and the terms of those agreements can be renegotiated at the end of that time. Leases should never contain provisions allowing the landlord to change or add to the terms of the lease during its agreed upon duration. Rental agreements are subject to change, however.

The website warns that tenants should never sign a lease that allows for shared utility meters, automatic rent increases, provisions absolving landlords in advance for carelessness and provisions allowing them unrestricted entry into the unit.

“Never let your landlord fill in details in the lease later make sure all blanks are filled in when you sign it,” according to NOLO.com.