| FINDING
AN AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOME IN DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA
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Apartment Listings and PDF files |
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Starting Your Search
Your search for a home will be easier if you know what you need.
Consider these things:
- How much can you pay per month in rent? (Don’t forget to budget
for utilities!)
- How many bedrooms do you need?
- Do you have any special needs?
- Do you need to be near a bus route?
Look for lists of rental houses, apartments, and managers in
the following places:
- This Rental Guide;
- The Phone Book;
- Classified Section of daily newspapers; The
Herald Sun
- Real Estate Section (in Saturday papers); The
Herald Sun
- APARTMENT INFORMATION CENTER (383-7491) and THE
APARTMENT BOOK LOCATORS in Raleigh (1-800-365-5755), free
services that match clients with rental units.
- Free Service to find housing; (877) 428-8844; or click on link below:
NC Housing Search
Look Before you Rent
- Never rent a home without looking at it.
- Examine the house or apartment very carefully. Ask how much
monthly utility bills cost.
- Note anything that might be a problem when you move in. Does
it need paint? Repairs?
Before you rent the apartment, make sure you understand what
repairs the landlord will make and when they will be completed.
It is a good idea to get the landlord to do repairs before you
move in. If any repairs are not done, take pictures, write down
the problems and have the landlord sign it, so you won’t be charged
for damage you didn’t do.
If you feel discrimination in the rental process, see the Fair
Housing section of this guide for information on your rights.
Application and Credit Check
Once you find a home to rent, the landlord will probably ask you
to fill out an application and pay an application fee. The application
fee is usually used for a credit check. A Social Security Number
or Tax Identification Number may be needed to check your credit.
The Lease
Before moving in, you sign a lease. Make sure you read and understand
the lease. If there is something in the lease you don't understand,
ask the landlord. Keep a copy of the lease and all rental documents.
The lease states the amount of rent, when rent must be paid,
and the amount of any late fees. Late fees cannot be more than
$15 or 5% of the rental payment.
The lease says how much notice must be given to end the lease--usually
30 days notice for a 1-year lease. If you do not have a written
lease, and pay rent monthly, 7 days notice is required to end the lease or change the rent.
All apartment clients should get rental insurance in case of fire,
flood, etc.
Security Deposit
When you sign a lease, you usually pay a security deposit. The
security deposit often equals one month's rent, however it is
not rent.
The security deposit is a one-time amount you pay the landlord
as insurance that you will live up to your terms of the lease.
Landlords are allowed to use your security deposit to pay for the amount you owe for rent, late fees, and damages you cause to the property beyond normal wear and tear. If the court evicts you, it can be used for court costs. If you break your lease early, the landlord can use it for the actual amount of rent lost while finding a new tenant.
Your landlord is required by law to return the full deposit
to you by mail within 30 days after you end your lease or provide
a full explanation of how it was used. When you move
out, give your landlord an address to mail your security deposit
to you.
Legal Responsibilities and Rights
of Landlords & Tenants
The law defines responsibilities of both landlords and tenants.
Landlord's responsibilities:
- Make all repairs and do what is necessary to keep the property
in a livable condition.
- Comply with building and housing codes.
- Keep in good and safe working order all the appliances and
facilities that come with the apartment: electricity, plumbing,
heating, air conditioning, refrigerator, stove, etc.
Tenant’s responsibilities:
- Pay rent on time.
- Keep your home clean and safe; do not deliberately damage
the property or allow a guest to do so.
- Notify your landlord of needed repairs in writing and keep
a copy for your records. In an emergency, call immediately,
then write a note as soon as possible.
To file a claim in Small Claims Court, call the Clerk of the
Civil Court at 560-6823 or the Civil Magistrate at 560-6828. They
can help you fill out the forms. The filing fee can be waived
if you cannot afford it.
City Housing Code
What is the City Housing Code?
The Housing Code is the law that requires all homes and yards
in the City of Durham to be safe, healthy and livable. Homes means
all housing, including single-family houses, apartments, mobile
homes, and boarding houses. The Housing Code protects every city
resident regardless of citizenship or immigration status. The
Code is enforced by City Housing Inspectors, 560-4570.
What is required by the Housing Code?
The Housing Code requires good maintenance of the home, including:
heating, plumbing, electrical, smoke detectors, locks, etc. Some
of the requirements are listed below.
Appliances: Any appliances provided with the
home must be kept in good repair.
Bathrooms: Bathrooms must have a working toilet,
sink, and tub or shower. Bathrooms must have a window or ventilation.
Electrical: The house must have at least 100Amp
service. Wiring must be enclosed. Outlets and switches must be
safe. Rooms must have at least 2 working duplex outlets.
Heat: Permanent central or space heating units
must safely heat all rooms to at least 68?F, and the temperature
may not vary more than 10? between rooms. Portable kerosene or
electric space heaters are not adequate as the primary heating
source.
Hot Water: Homes must have a water heater.
Kitchen: Kitchens must have adequate counter
space & enclosed cabinets.
Locks: All exterior doors must have locks that
can be operated from inside and outside the home, like dead bolts
or night latches. (Barrel bolts and padlocks are not adequate.)
Paint: Paint must not be flaking or peeling.
Plumbing: Safe water must be supplied. Plumbing
and fixtures must work and not leak.
Roof: The roof must not leak.
Smoke Detectors: All sleeping areas must have
a working battery or electric smoke detector within 15 feet of
each room. Residents must replace the batteries.
Screens or Central Air Conditioning: Homes must
have screens in good repair on all operable doors and windows
from May 1 through November 1, or the home must have central air
conditioning in good repair.
Security Bars: Security bars must be able to
be opened without tools from the inside of bedrooms or other sleeping
areas.
Windows: Windows must be easy to open, close
and lock. Windows must not be broken or boarded. All rooms must
have a window that opens to the outside.
Yards: Yards must be clean with no trash, junk,
or abandoned cars.
How can I find out more about the Durham City Housing
Code?
Call Durham City Housing and Community Development Department,
560-4570.
Small Claims Court
If your landlord does not make repairs after you have given written
notice, you have the right to take your landlord to court. If
your home is not livable, your landlord has violated the lease.
This also gives you the right to move out without further rent
payment, after giving proper notice to your landlord, even if
you still have time on your lease. If you stay in the home, you
do NOT have the right to stop paying rent. You can sue for rent
abatement from Small Claims Court. The court may award you a refund
of all or part of the rent you paid during the time your landlord
was in violation of the lease.
To file a claim in Small Claims Court, go to the Civil Filing
Division on the 3rd floor of the Judicial Building, 201 E. Main
St. They can help you fill out the forms. The filing fee can be
waived if you cannot afford it. For more information, call the
Clerk of the Civil Court at 564-7050 or the Civil Magistrate at
564-7250.
Eviction
A landlord must go to court before evicting a tenant for not paying
rent, or for violating any other terms of the lease. You should
get a notice of your court date. These rules apply:
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Your landlord must win a court judgement before
evicting you from your home.
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You cannot be locked out of the home before
the court makes a decision.
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You must be informed that action is being taken
against you and for what reason.
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If you pay what you owe plus court costs before
or on the court date, the landlord cannot evict you, but you
must bring the receipt to the court hearing.
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After the magistrate makes a judgement, you
have 10 days to appeal, but you may have to pay a bond (usually
the amount of the judgement) and future rent to the court.
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If you do not appeal, the landlord can get an
order to have the Sheriff evict you within about 15 days of
the hearing date.
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If you are evicted by the court process and
your belongings are padlocked inside, the landlord must give
you 10 days to get them. Your landlord may not evict you in
retaliation for filing a Housing Code complaint for 12 months
or the end of your lease, but you must continue to pay rent.
If your landlord threatens a retaliatory eviction, call City
Housing, 560-4570 or Legal Aid, 688-6396. If you are threatened
with an illegal eviction, call the Sheriff's Civil Process Office
at 560-0901.
Legal Aid
Free legal advice and representation in civil cases is offered
to low-income people by the
Legal Aid of NC, 212 N. Mangum St., 688-6396. Call first
for an appointment, if you qualify.
The
N.C. Lawyer Referral Service at 800-662-7660 can help you
find a lawyer.
Lead Poisoning
Lead poisoning can cause permanent learning disabilities, brain
damage, and other health problems. Children under age 6 are most
at risk for lead poisoning. A child with lead poisoning does not
appear sick. The only way to find out if your child has lead poisoning
is to get all children under age 6 tested.
To get your child tested, ask your doctor or get a free test at
the Durham
County Health Department, 560-7700.
Homes built before 1978 may have lead-based paint that could be
dangerous to your family. If a child under six has a high lead
level, the Health Department will test homes where the child lives
or stays.
The City has grants to remove lead from homes, for more information,
call the City Housing Department, 560-4570.
Fair Housing
You have the right to live anywhere you want, regardless of who
you are or where you are from. Fair Housing Law prohibits discrimination
in rental or sale of homes. It is illegal for a landlord to discriminate
against you based on race, religion, sex, color, national origin,
handicap (physical or mental disability or illness, including
HIV/AIDS), or familial status (for example, if you have children
or are pregnant).
Housing discrimination can take many forms. The law prohibits
these practices:
- refusal to sell, rent, or lease,
- refusal to make reasonable accommodation or modification for
the disabled,
- refusal to accommodate families with children,
- discriminatory advertising,
- discriminatory financing,
- steering (such as directing minorities only to predominantly
minority areas).
Discrimination can be indirect as well as obvious. For example,
if you are told over the telephone that a home is available but
are then informed it has been rented when you arrive in person
to inspect it, discrimination may have occurred.
The Fair Housing Act of 1988 requires that apartment buildings
with 4 or more units built after March 1991 are accessible to
disabled persons. All units in buildings with elevators and all
ground-floor units in buildings without elevators must be accessible.
In all apartments, a landlord must make reasonable accommodations
and allow reasonable modifications to meet the needs of a disabled
tenant. For example, a landlord should make common areas accessible
to all tenants and should permit a tenant to install grab bars
and other modifications to the home.
If you have any suspicions or complaints about the treatment you
receive when renting or buying a home in Durham, contact the City
of Durham Human Relations Department at 560-4107, on the first
floor of City Hall, Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm.
You can also get information from the NC Fair Housing Center 667-0888.
Connecting Utilities
After you sign the lease and pay the security deposit, you can
move in, but you may need to connect utilities. Some apartments
include utilities in the rent, but in most cases you will have
to pay to connect utilities as well as monthly bills. If you have
no credit or bad credit you may be required to pay a security
deposit or have a co-signor or credit reference.
Electricity
Duke Power Company 382-3200
Connection: Free. Requests can be made by phone 24 hours a day,
7 days a week.
Security deposit (if required): $175
Duke Power accepts Master Card and Visa
Gas
PSNC Energy 877-776-2427 (toll free)
Installation: $30-200 (depends on location)
Security deposit (if required): $125
Water
City of Durham Customer & Billing Service
560-4411 ext. 2
Connection: $30
You will need to bring a copy of your lease when you request a
connection.
If you have a high water bill due to a leak that was repaired,
contact customer service for information about bill reduction.
Telephone
Verizon 800-483-4000
Northgate Mall 286-7336
Connection: Starts at $43, increases with additional services.
A 50% reduction in the basic rate is available for recipients
of SSI, TANF, or food stamps.
Security deposit (if required): $105 or more.
Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) and Public Housing
Public
Housing and Section 8 are programs offered by the government to
help people with very low income. Public Housing residents pay up
to 30% of their income each month for rent and utilities for
apartments owned by the Durham Housing Authority. People in
the Section 8 program live in privately owned apartments and pay
at least 30% of their monthly income for rent and utilities.
The waiting list for Section 8 is so long that the Durham Housing
Authority rarely accepts applications.
To
apply for Public Housing or Section 8 (if available), go to the
Durham Housing Authority, 330 E. Main St., 9:00am-4:00pm,
Monday-Friday, 683-1551, or:
www.
Durhamhousingauthority.org
If You Can't Pay Your Rent...
The following public, private, and church organizations provide
rental assistance and other services. Eligibility and funds are
limited, so call first to see what is available. You may also
try contacting individual churches.
Department of Social Services (DSS)
Telephone: 560-8000
Family (w/ children) & Emergency Services
300 N. Duke Street
560-8301
Elderly, Disabled, and Emergency Services:
220 East Main Street
560-8600
DSS administers financial assistance programs such as TANF, Food
Stamps and Medicaid. DSS also offers emergency assistance with
rent, utilities, heat, food, and medical bills.
Operation Breakthrough
200 E. Umstead Street
688-8111
8:00am - 5:00pm
Weatherization 688-8111 (ext. 3)
Free weatherization and related repairs for qualified renters
and homeowners.
Housing Services 688-8111 (ext. 2)
FEATSS (Family Empowerment Action to Self Sufficiency).
Presbyterian Urban Ministries
415 Holloway Street
call for appointment: 683-2647
Presbyterian Urban Ministries, 220-8757 (call for appointment)
2504 N. Roxboro Rd. (Northgate Presbyterian Church)
Serves senior citizens, disabled adults, and families with young
children. Limited assistance for utility bills, rent and medication.
Must provide wage stubs and receipts for the past 30 days that
show at least 85% was spent for basic necessities. Average assistance
is $50. Come by the office for an interview.
Women In Action
539 Foster Street
call for appointment: 682-1431
Serves disabled adults, senior citizens and families with children
through assistance of up to $50 per year per family on rent, utility
bills, and some medication. More funds available at the beginning
of the month. Makes some referrals to Durham Congregations in
Action.
Catholic Social Ministries
1424 Broad Street
call for appointment: 286-1964
Provide up to $40 emergency assistance for rent and utilities.
Offer family and individual counseling for a sliding fee.
Salvation Army
909 Liberty St.
688-7306
9:00am – 12:00noon & 1:00 – 4:30pm
Clients must be in emergency situation or demonstrate need for
help to stay in the home. Some utility assistance (Heat Care Program)
available. Referrals to other agencies.
Second Mile Ministry
Grey Stone Baptist Church
2601 Hillsborough Rd. (Wednesdays
9:00am-12:00)
286-3596
Line up early. Food, emergency
rent & utility assistance.
Help for Special Populations
Independent Living
560-6815
Housing information, placement and modifications for people with
severe physical disabilities.
The Durham Center
Adult Services
560-7500
Assistance for people with mental health, development disabilities,
and substance abuse treatment needs.
AIDS Community Residence Association (ACRA)
956-7901
Housing assistance for people with HIV/AIDS.
Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC)
493-8141
Support for adults with developmental disabilities to live independently.
Council for Senior Citizens
807 S. Duke St. (J.J. Henderson Towers)
688-8247
Housing and social service information for citizens age 60 and
over.
Emergency Housing
Durham Crisis Response Center
24 hours crisis line for victims of domestic or sexual violence.
403-6562
Urban Ministries of Durham Community Shelter
For men, women, and women with children.
682-0538
Interfaith Hospitality Network
682-2846
Shelter for families.
Durham Rescue Mission
688-9641
Shelter for men.
Transitional Housing (longer term)
Genesis Home
683-5878
(Homeless families)
Habakkuk
530-1623
(Women w/children)
Phoenix House
680-0371
(Men)
Dove House
682-3777
(Women)
CAARE, Inc.
683-5300
(HIV/AIDS)
A New Leaf
682-3777
(Women w/Children)
Affordable Housing Groups
Durham Community 490-0063
Land Trustees
Homebuyer & rental opportunities.
Durham County Habitat 682-0516
for Humanity
Homeownership.
Rebuild Durham 680-8805
Rental opportunities.
Home Repairs
Qualified home owners may be eligible for loans and grants to
repair their homes from the
City Housing Department 560-4570
Credit Problems
Durham Regional Financial Center
315 E. Chapel Hill Street
688-3381
Offers credit and budget counseling and debt management. An appointment
is necessary.
Home Ownership Information
Are you tired of renting? Do you spend $500 a month in rent? Owning
a home may not be out of your reach. For information on buying
a home, call the Durham Affordable Housing Coalition, 331 W. Main
St., #408 683-1185
Rooming Establishments
Econ Plaza (men only) 682-8058
3115 Fayetteville Street
Durham Residential Hall 680-2261
(woment only)
425 Pilot Street
Assisted Living for Seniors
Sunshine Senior Lodging 247-6938
$600/month single, $550/month shared & $1,000month/couples. Rent includes
utilities, meals, laundry and shared bathroom
Citizen Resources: Who do I call for...
Emergencies
911
Non-Emergency Police
560-4069
Weedy Lots
560-4570 ext 254
Abandoned Vehicles on Property
560-4570
Abandoned Houses
560-4570
Animal Control (stray or barking dogs)
560-0630
Bulky item pick-up
560-4185, option 4
Large yard waste pick-up
560-4185, ext 240
Complaints about businesses cutting back trees & shrubs
560-4144
Complaints about Duke Power cutting back trees
560-4105
Unwanted car for scrap free pick-up for owners
800-590-1600
Housing (inspections, weedy lots and repairs
560-4570
Noise ordinance
560-4209
Dead animal pick-up
560-4105
Potholes
560-4312
Chronic crime problems
560-4273
Street cleaning
560-4105
Street light repairs
560-4366
Planting street trees (City plants, citizen pays for tree, shared
watering)
560-4105
Nuisance complaints (mosquitoes, environmental health)
560-7800
Rental Housing Realtors and Landlords (*
= participates in Section 8 for some units)
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Aintree Properties (James Holiday)
477-4274
Apple Realty
2911 Guess Road
471-2007
* Associates Realty Co.
217 Hood St.t
683-8711
* Alexander, Robert
611 Old Barn Avenue
477-8082
Allenton Management
3500 Westgate Dr., Suite 901
490-9050
Apple Realty
514 South Duke Street
688-2001
* Azzu, Joseph
933-7792
* BECCO Investment Company
3006 Guess Road
477-9116
Bergman Rentals
2814 Chapel Hill Road
493-3559
* Black, James
544-7215
Booth Real Estate, Inc.
1106 West Cornwallis Road #205
403-1886
* Burns, Gene
598-8756
* Cherry Realty
3300 Guess Road, Suite 9
477-9659
Section 8
* Cleveland Ridge
206 Gray Street
475-9099
* DSK, Inc. (Davinder Virk)
345-5429
Durham Community Land Trustees
1208 West Chapel Hill Street
490-0063
* Durham Housing Authority
330 E. Main St.
683-1551
* DWS, Inc.
810-7312
* Edgewood Props. (Eleanor Bergman)
1811 Chapel Hill Rd.
403-0774
* Eno Homes & Inv. Props (Willy Boyd)
957-9404
* Equity Group (Ron Cooper)
225-4889
* Foxgate Properties
682-57410
*Bob Gunter Realty
286-4661
Hamlett Properties
493-3983
489-8349
* Haskell Properties (James White)
2900 E. Pettigrew St.
596-2771
* Heritage Properties
383-8518
* Hicks Property Management
3315 Guess Road
471-0100
* Innisfree, LLC
929-3408
* J. W. Jackson
596-6254
* Jefferson Properties Inc.
957-1523
Jeffrey & Co.
3200 Croasdaile Dr., Suite 601
383-3115
* Lawton Properties Inc.
14 Dorset Pl.
544-6010
*Jim Lilly Properties
930 Martin Luther King Blvd.
967-9992
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Living Space Co.
PO Box 71122
824-0235
824-0230
L.S. Properties
PO Box 14331
806-8259
* Winston Moore
682-4635
*Mount Gilead
598-1374
* Ben Naderi
649-5309
* Owens and Associates
688-3981
* Owens, Leondras
596-3882
cell: 730-0996
Dick Patton Real Estate
3115 Guess Road
620-8681
Realty Ventures
3201 Yorktown Ave., Suite103
544-3211
* Perry, Robert
683-8685
* Quality Realty
1218 Shady Lane
471-3557
* Real Estate Associates
3633 Chapel Hill Boulevard
489-1777
Rent Man
Research Triangle Park
544-1896
* Robert Rentals
411 Andrews Road
383-8518
Bob Schmitz Properties
1222 Broad Street, Suite A
416-0393
* Rick Soles Property Management
1423 Broad St.
286-2040
* Southeast Real Estate Management
3709 University Drive, Suite A
419-1200
* Southern Real Est. Mgmt.
2721 Chapel Hill Blvd.
493-4523
* Spivey, Douglas
828-3857
* Thomas, Herman
620-1700
* Robert & Joyce Thorpe Rental Properties
490-8641
* Timilic, Vivian
(handicap accessible house)
477-8472
632-6475
Trinity Properties (Guy Solie)
2723 Campus Walk Ave.
309-9765
* Tucker, Cora
479-6000
* Underwood Properties
489-0579
* Vereen, Joe
544-2258
* Virk, Raj
544-9410
VLBP Construction & Realty
Vincent Shaw
311 Felster Way
601-4571
* VS Rich Properties
922-C Broad Street, Suite C
286-9333
* Williams, James
682-4207
* Woodland Properties (Jim Pou)
1150-2 Executive Circle,
Cary, NC
469-0260
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