When it comes to renting a home or Apartment, the more information you have, the smarter your renting choices will be. One very important bit of knowledge to have is knowing what real estate abbreviations mean, even if they just look like a jumble of letters at first.

This way, when you're reading a listing or even a leasing contract, you can understand what you're reading. Otherwise, you might be signing up for something you didn't expect.

Here is a list of need-to-know real estate abbreviations and acronyms that especially apply to the Rental world.

Abbreviations and acronyms used in real estate listings

When realtors or homeowners list a house, condo or apartment for rent, they will often use certain acronyms or abbreviations to describe the rental. These are some you'll see quite often.

Appl: Appliances

This refers to the appliances that the rental comes with such as a refrigerator or microwave.

BR: Bedroom

BA: Bath

LR: Living room

DR: Dining room

½ bath: Bathroom with a toilet and sink only. Also called a powder room.

MBA: Master bedroom and bathroom

2B/3B: Two bedroom or three bedroom

A/C: Air conditioning

APT: Apartment

TWNHSE: Town house

A townhouse typically is larger than an apartment and from the outside looks like a regular home, whereas apartments or condos are typically part of a larger building or complex.

FURN: Furnished

Furnished apartments can come with furniture and appliances included. Keep in mind that not all apartments that come furnished are the same. Some will come with more appliances and furniture than others. Be sure to read the specifics on the lease.

No Pts: No pets

1C: One car or one-car garage

This means that the rental only comes with one designated spot to park one car.

ELV: Elevator

HW: Hot water

Actv: Active listing

An active listing means the rental is available and ready for renting.

Common rental abbreviations and acronyms

You will hear and see these terms thrown around a lot in real estate and are important to be aware of.

STR: Short-term rental

STRs offer a wider variety of leasing duration periods. Generally, STRs are under one year.

RTO: Rent to own

Renting to own is where you rent a unit for an agreed-upon time, but you will have the option to purchase the property before the lease agreement is up.

HUD: Housing and Urban Development

Federal agency HUD provides homes and community development help to ensure everyone has access to housing.

SEC: Security deposit

ROI: Return on investment

Return on investment is determined by the ratio between income and investment. Larger ROI = higher profits.

HOA: Homeowners Association

An HOA is a group of homeowners that make and enforce rules for the apartment or housing complex.

FSBO: For sale by owner

FRBO: For rent by owner

L/O: Leasing options

Leasing options are typically agreed upon by the renter and the landlord. Make sure to check all your leasing options before deciding on anything.

MFH: Multi-family home

SFH: Single-family home

FMR: First month's rent

Be in the know

While there are definitely more real estate and rental-themed abbreviations out there to know, this list is a good start for renters who are just getting started. With this information, you'll be more informed when looking for your next apartment.

The post What are Some Common Rental Terms You Need to Know? appeared first on Apartment Living Tips - Apartment Tips from ApartmentGuide.com.