rental

It's simple supply and demand: More people are looking to rent apartments than are buying homes and moving out of them. The result: Rising rents, fewer concessions, and more competition for good apartments. If you're in the rental market -- and more than a third of Americans are -- what can you do?

Vacancy rates have been declining at apartment buildings across the U.S., sending rents soaring. And because housing makes up a big part of core inflation, those higher rents could translate into a doubling of the inflation rate this year.

Those irritating fees aren't going away, but over the next few years, some of them will be attached to new a la carte services that travelers may be happier to pay for. Think personal concierge services, intercity rail ticket sales -- and even in-flight spa treatments.

Sears and Kmart are hoping to turn our newfound love for digital movies into a profit with the launch of Alphaline Entertainment. The move comes as in-store sales of DVDs and Blu-Ray discs continue to feel the pressure of streaming services like Netflix and rentals from iTunes, Microsoft Zune and...

Despite new federal laws designed to protect them, many tenants are caught up in foreclosure dramas as building owners struggle to keep their properties. If the real estate market doesn't improve soon, the problem could get even worse.

The big news Wednesday was that Apple announced a collection of new iPods, a new streaming Apple TV -- and to go along with all of that technology, 99-cent HD TV show rentals from ABC and FOX. While Apple and many other TV networks can't agree on the pricing scheme, namely how much each party gets,...

According to Bloomberg, Apple is gearing up for a media event on Sept. 7 at which Apple is rumored to announce 99-cent TV show rentals from major networks, a price drop of $2 compared to the current cost of purchasing a TV episode. This is a departure from past attempts at offering a TV show...

As a commuting cyclist, I've noticed one thing about non-cyclists: They massively underestimate the cost of purchasing a bike. Friends and acquaintances often approach me about buying their first bicycle since they were about 14, and the story usually goes like this: They've got $100 and they'd...

Enterprise Rent-A-Car plans to buy 500 electric cars from Nissan Motor Co (NSANY) as part of a strategy to make the vehicles more widely available to renters. Enterprise Holdings, which owns the brands Enterprise, Alamo and National, will include the Leaf vehicle in its rental fleets in eight...

If you're having a problem with a business, Consumer Ally can help. Write us at HelpMe@WalletPop.com. Q. I recently helped a friend and his elderly mother find an affordable apartment in Houston, Texas. But on the day he moved in, there was trash strewed all over the place, and even a condom in...