WKYC in Cleveland reports on a new service for landlords which allows them to snitch on bad tenants. The site is called DoNotRentTo and the service also allows prospective landlords to find bad apples before renting to them. Landlords can add people to the list for free, but searching the list for the innocent renter will run you $30 bucks a year.

According to WKYC, tenants who have been badmouthed unjustly can contact the company to dispute the claim. The problem with this logic is that most tenants will not know they are in the database until they have already lost out on an apartment, that is, unless they fork over the money for a subscription.

I am all for warning potential landlords about crappy renters, you can't rent without running into at least one bad tenant during the course of your business, so any tool is helpful. Unfortunately this database won't keep you from renting to the frat boys from hell, who are out on their own for the first time. Despite this downside the service looks to provide useful background information so that landlords can make an informed decision. The available information includes, anecdotes, damages, drug use, sexual offenders, and more.

You've walked the stage and cashed all of those checks your family wedged into graduation cards, now it is time to find a place to live. Unless you are moving in with grandma, your first decision is likely going to be what city, state or continent you want to call home. If you spent your college days in a dorm this may be the first apartment you are looking for and your options as well as the security deposit may be overwhelming! Hopefully the following primer to apartments can help you get your foot in the door to your lovely new one bedroom in the city of your dreams without suffering more regret than a one night stand.

When you start your search learning the lingo of apartments is important; your first step is to determine what kind of apartment you want. Maybe you looking for an efficiency or loft which typically consists of an open floor plan or something like a 2 bdrm with DW, WIC, W/D which nets you a dishwasher, walk in closet and a washer and dryer. The choices are sometimes daunting but after you look at a few units and assess your needs you'll quickly know what type of apartment you are looking for and can expand your search to location.

Just like real estate is about location, location, location; so is your apartment. You need to find an apartment that is in a neighborhood you feel comfortable in, both during the day and when you come in late at night. After you think you have nailed down a location before signing any paperwork, check out the location at night and see if it agrees with you, look for outdoor lighting and listen for trains, planes and noisy neighbors. After you sign a lease these issues will be much, much harder to deal with.