Editor’s note: Last week’s edition was missing a link to the feature story about the Valley Alley Swap, a new monthly mutual aid event. Check it out here. 

Hi renters,

Welcome to Rent Check PHX. In today’s issue we’re talking about ways renters can turn their gray boxes of apartments into places that feel like home—without losing a security deposit. 

Through my research and interviews, I learned about a lot of ideas for bringing more style into a rental without spending a ton of money. Now I’m feeling motivated to try out some myself!

We’ll also talk about new apartments and homes coming to the Valley, and upcoming community meetings and cleanups. 

Hope you enjoy! I’ll be back in your inbox next Wednesday, Sept. 16. If you know a renter who may find this newsletter useful, please forward it their way!

*Paywalled content noted with 🔒

👷 Developers are planning a five-story, 397-unit apartment complex at CityNorth in the Desert Ridge area. (Phoenix Business Journal, 🔒)

🗳️ Thousands of Arizonans received letters from elections officials asking if they recently moved, even though many of the recipients had not. (Arizona Mirror)

🏠 Surprise City Council approved rezoning permits for two plots of land that could be developed into nearly 2,400 housing units. (Axios Phoenix)

🔑 A new organization in Phoenix aims to help people with criminal records get connected to employment, housing, and more. (ABC 15)

📱 Want less screen time? Try installing a cute storage pocket that you can park your phone in at home. (Apartment Therapy)

🛠️ Watch this renter remove peel-and-stick flooring as she resets her apartment before moving out. (Instagram)

🧹 If you’re planning to make the move from renter to homeowner any time soon, here are 18 things you may need to buy. (CNN)

Phoenix content creator Destiny Liley added these renter-friendly decals to her bathroom wall to make her apartment feel more like home. (Courtesy of Destiny Liley)

Have you dreamed of making a rental feel like your own, but felt too worried about losing a security deposit to make any changes? 

Lots of Phoenix renters have found themselves in this position.

Part of the reason I chose my current apartment was its natural design features—large windows, brick walls, and wooden beams—that made it feel visually interesting without me having to do a lot of work. 

But my previous apartments’ white walls and gray floors felt cold and impersonal, and I didn’t feel motivated to improve them while on a one-year lease, especially knowing that it could cause me to lose my deposit. 

In recent years, though, I’ve been seeing an influx of videos on social media where renters have decided to personalize their space with quick, cheap upgrades that don’t destroy what’s already there. 

I wanted to learn more about these trends, so I spoke with a local content creator and an interior designer to see how they view renter-friendly design. 

Destiny Liley, the content creator I interviewed for the story above, lives in a downtown Phoenix high-rise. I figured I’d share some listings for those kinds of apartments today, in case you’re looking or have ever been curious about them.

🔑 Sol Modern: This 29-story building on Central Avenue and Fillmore Street offers studios starting at $1,868 a month to three-bed, two-baths starting at $3,895. The complex is offering up to four months of free rent, but you have to check with the leasing office for specifics. Pets are allowed. Amenities include a rooftop pool, a game lounge, a fitness center, a yoga deck, community dining and entertaining spaces, grilling stations, a sauna, a cold plunge, a basketball half court, fire pits, a pet spa, a “zen den,” and coworking spaces. 

🔑 44 Monroe: This 34-story building on First Avenue and Monroe Street (the tallest residential building in Phoenix!) ranges from a one-bed, one-bath for $1,605 a month to two-bed, 2.5 baths starting at $3,800. The complex is offering up to 12 weeks of base rent for free on select units. (Zillow says the offer is through Aug. 31, but 44 Monroe’s website says it extends through Sept. 30.) Pets are allowed. Amenities include a rooftop pool and spa, a fitness center, a game room, grilling stations, fire pits, a club room, a golf simulator, and a dog-washing station. 

🔑 Altura: This 30-story building on Third and Pierce streets has studios starting at $1,001 a month to two-bed two-baths starting at $2,180. The complex is offering 12 weeks of free rent on 15-month leases and eight weeks of free rent on 12-14 month leases. Pets are allowed. Amenities include a rooftop pool, grilling stations, fire pits, an outdoor kitchen, coworking spaces, a dog park, electric vehicle charging stations, bike storage, a bike repair station, and an indoor/outdoor fitness center. 

If you come across any interesting, weird, or surprisingly affordable listings that you think should be featured here, please send them my way!

Listings available as of Sept. 9. I’m not paid to share these listings, but that doesn’t mean I can personally vouch for them. Please do your research before applying and signing a lease!

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Jessica Swarner and edited by Crystal Niforos.

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