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.