For those of you who are looking for a home rental, the state of the current real estate market should be something that you take into consideration. Why you might ask? Simple! Because there are currently many landlords out there who may not be paying the bills on their rental homes, and if they are not, they could very well be nearing the foreclosure process. Some renters have even been duped into renting a home that is already in the foreclosure process, and there is not much they can do about it but move, as the law does not protect you from this sort of anomaly. How to Prevent Rental Nightmares Just as your landlord or prospective landlord may request a credit report from you and proof of your current income, the same is true from you. You can find out if the home is entering foreclosure or if the landlord is on the up and up. A good rule of thumb is to check out the county recorder office in your area – found at the city or government website for your location. Searches are free and will tell you if the house is in foreclosure or not. Other Home Rental Tips It is always better to use a property management company that has an established history with home rentals, than a sole proprietor. This is because a company has a rating, and more laws that they must abide by, over the latter. You can easily do some online research and see what others have to say about the company, if they are getting sued, and if they have any recent complaints against them. As a renter you need to make sure that you are getting a deal that is in your best interests as well!