Last updated: August 9, 2026
Renting Explained is committed to publishing accurate, useful, and unbiased information for renters. This policy describes how we research, write, review, and maintain our guides.
Our mission
We help US renters understand leases, deposits, tenant rights, and the real costs of renting — in plain language, with primary-source grounding. We write for the renter, not the landlord.
How we choose topics
We build coverage around the questions renters actually ask, organized around the renting lifecycle: finding a rental, applying, signing a lease, paying deposits, moving in, dealing with repairs and rent changes, and moving out. We prioritize topics where the information is hard to find, easy to get wrong, or where a renter’s money and housing are at stake.
Our sources
For factual and legal claims, we prioritize current primary sources:
- Government agencies (e.g., HUD, the CFPB, state attorney general offices);
- State statutes and local ordinances;
- City and county housing departments and tenant-landlord offices;
- Court self-help centers and published court rules; and
- Official regulatory guidance.
We may also cite established, reputable secondary sources to explain or contextualize primary law. We avoid anonymous, unverified, or low-quality sources.
Handling jurisdiction
Landlord-tenant law in the United States varies by state, county, city, property type, and date. We do not pretend a single national answer exists where it does not. When a rule depends on jurisdiction, we say so, give the general principle where one exists, and point you to where the local answer lives.
Accuracy and fact-checking
- Factual claims are checked against the credible sources listed above.
- Where we cite a number, deadline, or rule, we link the source so you can verify it.
- When we cannot verify a claim, we either label it as general information or we do not publish it.
- We never fabricate statistics, studies, or testimonials.
Updates
Laws, fees, and procedures change. We review and update guides on a rolling basis, and we update immediately when a reader, a source change, or our own review surfaces something out of date. Articles display a publish date and, where relevant, an updated date.
Independence from advertising
Our editorial content is produced independently of our advertising and affiliate relationships. Advertisers and affiliate partners cannot choose topics, approve articles, or suppress coverage. Full details are on our Disclosure page.
Corrections
When we get something wrong, we correct it promptly and transparently, and we note significant corrections on the affected article. The process is described in full on our Corrections page.
Not legal advice
Everything we publish is general educational information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. For your specific situation, consult a qualified attorney or a local tenant-rights organization in your jurisdiction.
Contact
Questions about this policy can be sent to editorial@rentingexplained.com.