Atlanta Apartment Locating FAQ
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Apartment websites rarely show the full picture when it comes to pricing. Fees, deposits, and other costs are often left out, and hidden restrictions can make you ineligible for certain units. We cut through all of that to show you only the options you actually qualify for.
We’re market experts and licensed real estate agents. Your Smart City agent looks at apartments all day, every day. We’ve toured nearly every property in Atlanta and know which ones have the best downtown views, which Grant Park buildings are the most walkable, and which Buckhead complexes are quietly the best deal in town. We also have access to unlisted deals—properties email us daily with specials that aren’t shared publicly.
Websites like Apartments.com or Apartment List can’t match the level of personalization we provide. They don’t know your exact income, credit score, and background, so they often show you apartments you technically don’t qualify for, or prices and availability that aren’t up-to-date.
We’re market experts and licensed real estate agents. Your Smart City agent looks at apartments all day, every day. We’ve toured nearly every property in Atlanta and know which ones have the best downtown views, which Grant Park buildings are the most walkable, and which Buckhead complexes are quietly the best deal in town. We also have access to unlisted deals—properties email us daily with specials that aren’t shared publicly.
Websites like Apartments.com or Apartment List can’t match the level of personalization we provide. They don’t know your exact income, credit score, and background, so they often show you apartments you technically don’t qualify for, or prices and availability that aren’t up-to-date.
Yes! Our service is completely free for renters. The apartment complex pays us a commission when we find them a new tenant. Learn more about how that works here.
We recommend starting 90 days before your move-out date. You’ll see the best pricing and specials about 45 days before your ideal move-in date.
The best pricing is usually on 12-month leases or longer, and most move-in specials only apply to those terms. Short-term leases (6 months or less) are available but tend to cost more and rarely come with discounts.
Most apartments have standard breed restrictions, which often include:
Akitas, Alaskan Malamutes, Bulldogs, Cane Corsos, Chows, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, Great Danes, Mastiffs, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Siberian Huskies, Terriers, and Wolf Hybrids.
If your pet is an emotional support animal, we partner with Therapy Animal Hub to help you get $70 off an ESA letter, ensuring your pet can live with you even if your building has strict breed rules. Use code SMARTCITY at checkout!
Expect to pay a refundable pet deposit ($100–$500), a nonrefundable pet fee ($100–$500), and monthly pet rent of $35–$55 per pet.
Akitas, Alaskan Malamutes, Bulldogs, Cane Corsos, Chows, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, Great Danes, Mastiffs, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Siberian Huskies, Terriers, and Wolf Hybrids.
If your pet is an emotional support animal, we partner with Therapy Animal Hub to help you get $70 off an ESA letter, ensuring your pet can live with you even if your building has strict breed rules. Use code SMARTCITY at checkout!
Expect to pay a refundable pet deposit ($100–$500), a nonrefundable pet fee ($100–$500), and monthly pet rent of $35–$55 per pet.
Most Chicago apartments require your gross monthly income (before taxes) to be at least three times the monthly rent. For example, to rent a $1,500 apartment, you’d typically need to make $4,500 per month. If you don’t meet the income requirement, you may still qualify with a guarantor or co-signer.
Absolutely! Think of us as your boots on the ground. We can take virtual tours on your behalf, meet you in person if you choose to visit, and keep you in the loop with everything you need to know about Atlanta neighborhoods, commute times, and hidden-gem properties.
While we recommend starting your search about 90 days before your move, Austin’s rental market has some seasonal patterns worth noting.
Best months for deals: Late fall and winter (November–February) often have lower demand, meaning better specials and more negotiable pricing.
Busiest months: Summer (May–August) is peak moving season in Austin, especially for students and recent grads, which means more options but higher prices.
Pro tip: If you find a great rate, lock it in quickly. Austin’s most desirable units can lease in 24–48 hours.
Best months for deals: Late fall and winter (November–February) often have lower demand, meaning better specials and more negotiable pricing.
Busiest months: Summer (May–August) is peak moving season in Austin, especially for students and recent grads, which means more options but higher prices.
Pro tip: If you find a great rate, lock it in quickly. Austin’s most desirable units can lease in 24–48 hours.
In most Atlanta apartments, trash and pest control are a flat fee added to your rent each month. Water, gas, and electricity are typically billed separately based on usage. Internet and cable are services you’ll set up on your own, though some luxury high-rises in Midtown and Buckhead may bundle Wi-Fi into amenity fees.
Electric service in Atlanta is provided by Georgia Power, which serves most of the metro area. Some surrounding suburbs may be covered by local electric membership cooperatives (EMCs) like Cobb EMC or Sawnee EMC. Natural gas is deregulated in Georgia, meaning you’ll choose your own provider—common options include Gas South, Georgia Natural Gas, and SCANA Energy.
Average monthly utility costs in Atlanta:
-Electricity: $90–$140 (higher in summer with heavy AC use)
-Gas/heat: $40–$70 (higher in winter months)
-Water/sewer: $30–$60
-Internet: $50–$80
Common internet providers in Atlanta include Xfinity, AT&T Fiber, and Google Fiber (available in select neighborhoods).
When you work with Smart City, our Concierge team can help you confirm which utilities are included for your apartment, determine your specific service providers, and find you the best deals for your needs. Plus, we’ll handle all the setup.
Electric service in Atlanta is provided by Georgia Power, which serves most of the metro area. Some surrounding suburbs may be covered by local electric membership cooperatives (EMCs) like Cobb EMC or Sawnee EMC. Natural gas is deregulated in Georgia, meaning you’ll choose your own provider—common options include Gas South, Georgia Natural Gas, and SCANA Energy.
Average monthly utility costs in Atlanta:
-Electricity: $90–$140 (higher in summer with heavy AC use)
-Gas/heat: $40–$70 (higher in winter months)
-Water/sewer: $30–$60
-Internet: $50–$80
Common internet providers in Atlanta include Xfinity, AT&T Fiber, and Google Fiber (available in select neighborhoods).
When you work with Smart City, our Concierge team can help you confirm which utilities are included for your apartment, determine your specific service providers, and find you the best deals for your needs. Plus, we’ll handle all the setup.
Smart City Concierge is our free, post-lease support service that helps you handle all the “adulting” that comes with moving. Once you’ve signed your lease, our Concierge team will find you deals and set up your utilities. We can also score discounts on vetted moving companies, renters’ insurance providers, and other local resources, saving you hours of research and phone calls.