How to lease a Memphis apartment from another city or state: the process, the documents, the questions to ask, and the scam warning signs to watch for.
How to Rent an Apartment Before Moving to Memphis
The practical process for signing a lease from another city or state — and how to avoid the scams that target relocating renters.
Leasing before you arrive is normal now. The pieces that used to require standing in an
office — touring, applying, signing, paying — can all be done remotely. What has
not changed is the need to verify who you are dealing with before money moves.
How remote leasing actually works
- Narrow to units that are actually available
Work from the manager’s current listings, not a months-old search result. Confirm the unit is available for your date before you invest time in it. - Tour it
A self-guided showing lets you walk the real unit on your own schedule; a video walkthrough works when you cannot travel. Ask for the specific unit, not a model. - Ask your questions before applying
Utilities, parking, pets, lease term, move-in timing. Get the answers in writing. - Apply through the official system
Use the application link on the manager’s own site. Have your documents ready when you start. - Read the lease in full
Term, rent due date, utilities, deposit, maintenance process, and what happens at the end of the term. Ask before you sign, not after. - Sign electronically and schedule handover
Confirm exactly how and when you receive keys, and what identification you need to bring.
Documents commonly requested
Government photo ID
A current driver’s license, state ID or passport for each adult applicant.
Proof of income
Recent pay stubs, an offer letter for a new role, or comparable documentation if you are self-employed.
Rental history
Addresses and contact details for recent landlords, or an explanation if you are renting for the first time.
References and contacts
Employer contact details and personal references, depending on the application.
Requirements differ by property and application. Ask what is required
before you start so you are not scrambling mid-application.
Questions worth asking before you sign
- Which utilities are in my name, and which are included?
- What is the lease term, and what happens at the end of it?
- Is renters insurance required, and what coverage?
- What is the pet policy for this unit specifically?
- Where do residents park, and is any space assigned?
- How are maintenance requests submitted, and what counts as an emergency?
- What is the exact move-in date and key handover process?
- What is due at signing, and how is it paid?
Virtual and self-guided tours
A self-guided tour lets you into the real unit on your own schedule after identity
verification — the closest thing to walking in with an agent. A video walkthrough is the
fallback when you cannot be in Memphis at all.
Either way, ask to see the specific apartment you would lease. A model unit or a
photo set from a different apartment tells you very little about yours.
- Tour the exact unit, not a model or a similar layout
- Check water pressure, appliances, and that heating and cooling run
- Look at window condition, flooring and any signs of moisture
- Photograph anything you would want documented at move-in
- Note cell signal inside the unit if you rely on it
Rental scams: how to not get caught
Relocating renters are targeted precisely because they cannot easily drop by. The pattern is
almost always the same: an attractive price, urgency, and a request to send money before you
can verify anything.
Verify the manager
Confirm the company independently — its own website, phone number and address — rather than trusting contact details in a listing alone.
Never wire or gift-card
Legitimate managers do not ask for wire transfers, gift cards or personal payment-app transfers for a deposit.
Be wary of urgency
“Send the deposit today or lose it” is a pressure tactic. A real unit will survive the time it takes to verify.
Check the price
A rent far below comparable units in the same area is a warning sign, not a bargain.
No keys before a lease
Nobody should be mailing you keys or a lockbox code in exchange for cash before an application and signed lease exist.
Preparing funds and identification
Know before you apply what is due at signing and how it must be paid, and have identification
ready for every adult on the lease. If your move-in falls near a payday or a bank transfer
window, plan for the timing rather than assuming same-day movement of funds.
Timing your move-in
- Confirm the exact date the unit is ready, in writing
- Book movers or a truck only after the date is confirmed
- Start utilities so service is live on the move-in date, not after
- Arrange renters insurance effective from the move-in date
- Plan a first-night bag in case furniture arrives later
Remote renter’s checklist
- Manager independently verified
- Specific unit toured — self-guided, video or in person
- Questions answered in writing
- Application submitted through the official system
- Lease read in full before signing
- Payment made only through official channels
- Utilities and renters insurance scheduled
- Key handover time, place and ID requirements confirmed
Featured ELM rentals
We manage rentals in Memphis, including
apartments in the Raleigh area. Availability changes
frequently — the listings page is the current source of truth.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to rent an apartment without seeing it in person?
It can be, if you verify who you are dealing with, tour the actual unit by self-guided or video tour, and pay only through official channels. It is not safe if someone pressures you to send money before any of that.
What documents will I need?
Commonly: government photo ID, proof of income, rental history and contact details for prior landlords or references. Requirements vary by property and application.
Will I be approved?
No one can promise that, and you should be cautious of anyone who does. Applications are reviewed against the property’s criteria after submission.
Can I hold a unit for a future move-in date?
Sometimes, depending on the unit and how far out the date is. Ask before you apply so you are not applying for something that cannot match your timeline.
What if the unit is not as described when I arrive?
Document everything at move-in with photos and the move-in condition form, and report issues immediately in writing through the maintenance process in your lease.
Ask Lia
Lia is ELM Property Management’s leasing assistant. If you are leasing from out of town and want a straight answer before you apply, ask. Send your question through our contact page, email info@elmpropertymanagement.com, or call 901-350-5502 and a member of our team will follow up.
Renting in Memphis from out of town?
Tell us your move-in date and what you need. We will confirm what is genuinely available and walk you through the remote process.
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ELM Property Management is not affiliated with or endorsed by any employer referenced on this page. Employer names are used solely to help prospective residents evaluate rental and relocation options in the Memphis area.