In most jurisdictions, including the United States, Canada, and the UK, you must be at least 18 years old to book an apartment or sign a residential lease. This is because a lease is a legally binding contract, and in most parts of the world, individuals under the age of 18 are considered "minors" who lack the legal capacity to enter into such agreements. If a minor signs a lease, the contract is often "voidable," meaning the landlord would have no legal recourse to collect rent or damages if the minor decides to walk away. Some U.S. states, like Alabama and Nebraska, have an "age of majority" of 19, while Mississippi sets it at 21. For short-term rentals through platforms like Airbnb, the minimum age to hold an account and book is also 18. While it is possible for a 16 or 17-year-old to live in an apartment, they usually require a parent or legal guardian to act as a co-signer or primary leaseholder who assumes all financial and legal responsibility. Legally emancipated minors are a rare exception and can sometimes sign leases in their own name if they provide court-certified documentation.