6 General Advice for New Renters
Inspecting the Property When looking for housing to rent, investigate the house or apartment with a critical eye. Make sure that all faucets work, you can get hot and cold water, and there are no signs of leakage in the plumbing. If there are obvious signs of problems, such as a bucket of water under the sink, ask the landlord about it. Make sure you get his reply in writing with a time estimate for repair.
Check to see if all appliances, lights and outlets are in working order. Look at all wiring and make sure that bare wires are not exposed. Inspect the refrigerator, stove, oven and dishwasher to see that they work and are clean. Check the doors and windows to make sure they are secure and safe: Do the doors have strong locks? Do the windows have locks and screens? Open and close all doors and windows to be sure that they work properly.
Don’t be afraid to ask the landlord any questions you may have. Make sure to get meaningful answers and take notes so you can remember the answers later. Much like a job interview, your interaction with the landlord will give you an idea of what it will be like to work with him in the future. You may also want to talk with neighbors to find out their impressions of the landlord and the neighborhood. Ask if repairs are quickly made; it is a good sign if other tenants speak highly of the landlord and the neighborhood.
Leases and Other Agreements Leases are legally binding rental agreements. Do not sign more than one lease thinking that you are only holding the apartments until you make a decision. Before you sign the lease, be sure you want the apartment and read it carefully. Do not be afraid to ask the landlord to add things to the lease regarding such things as repairs or appliances. Most leases are for a one-year period, but this may be negotiable. Normally, you are expected to pay rent for the entire leasing period, even if you move out early.
Also, make sure that all agreements with your landlord are in writing. Verbal agreements are usually worth nothing. If a landlord won’t put anything in writing, you may not want to rent from him.
Security Deposit Most landlords will require a security deposit; it is usually the equivalent of one month’s rent. The security deposit is the landlord’s insurance against damage or the tenants leaving without paying rent. The landlord may subtract the cost of any damage and/or cleaning
incurred after you move out of the apartment. However, the landlord may not charge you for normal wear-and-tear on the apartment or excessive cleaning charges if you have cleaned the apartment before you move out. You are legally entitled to receive your security deposit back at the end of your lease (minus any charges for excessive damage or cleaning costs).
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