What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas
As a real estate professional, I would like to offer a few tips to any new renter that has found that new home and is ready to move in. I would like to offer advice that will avoid many hassles and frustration you see on these boards every day.
steps to success and enjoyment as a happy renter.
1) Please take 5-10 minutes or even 5 days if you have to of your time to read over your lease before you sign it. Don't just read the line that says how much you have to pay and when is it due. Educate yourself a bit, and if you are not sure, it is ok to ask your leasing manager or landlord to clarify. This is a legal contract, know the basics of the lease at least to be safe! Would you buy a car without taking it for a test drive, no!
2) Ask the manager/leasing agent if you can walk the apartment with them prior to signing the lease to do a preinspection. You have every right to do so and if they refuse, say then I refuse to sign a lease. Bring your camera with you and ask if it is ok to take pictures and document it's condition in writing if you don't have a copy. (Don't take hours of their time. You can also do this later too if you want) Ask them to sign it together so you are both in agreement to the condition or you can even request items be repaired before you sign the lease and keep a copy of the final document for your records. (Remember, that most ethical LL's want your business and also want you to be happy at move in) Also if the property is 20 years old don't expect everything to be perfect. Be understanding that it is a rental property and it will have some defects.
3) Pay your rent on time as agreed under the terms of the contract. Due on the 1st! Pay it in full and avoid late fees. If you are late or going to be late, open your mouth and talk to them. Communication is key to avoid evictions and stay true to your word. Don't give excuse after excuse and then break your promise, stay on their good side if you get behind, pay what you can when you can. If you do it over and over they will just file eviction and get tired of chasing you around. If you don't pay your rent your LL can not make his mortgage, taxes, payroll, fees, inspections......apartment communities are far more regulated than grandpa who has a couple houses he rents out.
4) Request all maintenance repairs in writing this is always recommended and keep copies. If you have a complacent owner or manager, then don't expect them to always be there at your beck and call, you will find out quick they are to satify you or dissatisfy you. Some simple basics if you don't trust your management to take care of your reasonable requests. Just because you want a perfect place does not mean the the lease or code requires the LL to do this for you. They are not your servant because you pay rent. They provide you housing to you, which you pay for, and are there to take care of your housing needs (health, sanitation, water, sewer, electricity, you know the basic comforts of life to simplify) If you pay your rent on time then you have rights to uphold state and local code requirements of your landlord and most landlords know exactly what they have to do, at minimum. Everything comes back to the lease and basic code requirements. If your roof leaks and your landlord blows you off for a week what does that tell you about your LL...start protecting yourself now. If the LL came immediately or told you his plan and executed it in a "reasonable period of time", then you have a good landlord. Sometimes repairs even simple things can take a couple days or week if you don't have the right parts. Send a certified letters if you don't get a response and state that you are putting your landlord on notice to terminate your contract and specify your lease and/or local ordinance if you feel you are being neglected. Do your research! So when they try to sue you over garbage claims, you have photos, letters, witnesses, multiple requests, and you look like the good guy because your rent is always paid on time. They may hate you for putting them on the spot, but they cannot retaliate because you are an educated tenant, am I right? Squeeky wheel gets the grease!
5) Don't shout "my attorney will be calling you" at your LL because they have one as well, who may be better paid than your attorney. You have right's follow them and you will come out just fine, 99% of time. Be civil and smart at first, then hire an attorney if you are in a jam.
6) Moving out? Repeat step #2 when you are moving out. Follow the move out instructions if you have them. Always provide more or at minimum notice to vacate if you want to leave in writing....get a copy. Get a copy of the move out inspection and do a final walk through with an agent or LL present. Do you see where this is going....? If your LL is a jerk and you did all this, they are not, i mean not, even going to try to pull a fast one on you because they know you know that you have no intentions of letting them walk over you. Now, make sure you leave your apartment reasonably clean, shampoo the carpets if you like, better, replace all the burned out bulbs, treat the property as if you were the LL at move out, and I guarrantee they will even say thank you for cleaning up. So ask is there anything I have missed so I can correct and receive a full refund of my deposit. If no, then get them to put in writing you are entitled to full refund and your deposit will be returned promptly to your new address.
If you follow my basic steps you will be on your way, but and many of you will probably say this does not cover my situation. Agreed, but honestly you are your only protection and it starts when you put your name on the lease. Know your rights and get to know your LL. He/She can be your best friend or enemy! Not all landlords are evil. Many are very good you just have to know how to play the game.
If you want more tips just ask me.
Good luck!What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
As a real estate professional, I would like to offer a few tips to any new renter that has found that new home and is ready to move in. I would like to offer advice that will avoid many hassles and frustration you see on these boards every day.
steps to success and enjoyment as a happy renter.
1) Please take 5-10 minutes or even 5 days if you have to of your time to read over your lease before you sign it. Don't just read the line that says how much you have to pay and when is it due. Educate yourself a bit, and if you are not sure, it is ok to ask your leasing manager or landlord to clarify. This is a legal contract, know the basics of the lease at least to be safe! Would you buy a car without taking it for a test drive, no!
2) Ask the manager/leasing agent if you can walk the apartment with them prior to signing the lease to do a preinspection. You have every right to do so and if they refuse, say then I refuse to sign a lease. Bring your camera with you and ask if it is ok to take pictures and document it's condition in writing if you don't have a copy. (Don't take hours of their time. You can also do this later too if you want) Ask them to sign it together so you are both in agreement to the condition or you can even request items be repaired before you sign the lease and keep a copy of the final document for your records. (Remember, that most ethical LL's want your business and also want you to be happy at move in) Also if the property is 20 years old don't expect everything to be perfect. Be understanding that it is a rental property and it will have some defects.
3) Pay your rent on time as agreed under the terms of the contract. Due on the 1st! Pay it in full and avoid late fees. If you are late or going to be late, open your mouth and talk to them. Communication is key to avoid evictions and stay true to your word. Don't give excuse after excuse and then break your promise, stay on their good side if you get behind, pay what you can when you can. If you do it over and over they will just file eviction and get tired of chasing you around. If you don't pay your rent your LL can not make his mortgage, taxes, payroll, fees, inspections......apartment communities are far more regulated than grandpa who has a couple houses he rents out.
4) Request all maintenance repairs in writing this is always recommended and keep copies. If you have a complacent owner or manager, then don't expect them to always be there at your beck and call, you will find out quick they are to satify you or dissatisfy you. Some simple basics if you don't trust your management to take care of your reasonable requests. Just because you want a perfect place does not mean the the lease or code requires the LL to do this for you. They are not your servant because you pay rent. They provide you housing to you, which you pay for, and are there to take care of your housing needs (health, sanitation, water, sewer, electricity, you know the basic comforts of life to simplify) If you pay your rent on time then you have rights to uphold state and local code requirements of your landlord and most landlords know exactly what they have to do, at minimum. Everything comes back to the lease and basic code requirements. If your roof leaks and your landlord blows you off for a week what does that tell you about your LL...start protecting yourself now. If the LL came immediately or told you his plan and executed it in a "reasonable period of time", then you have a good landlord. Sometimes repairs even simple things can take a couple days or week if you don't have the right parts. Send a certified letters if you don't get a response and state that you are putting your landlord on notice to terminate your contract and specify your lease and/or local ordinance if you feel you are being neglected. Do your research! So when they try to sue you over garbage claims, you have photos, letters, witnesses, multiple requests, and you look like the good guy because your rent is always paid on time. They may hate you for putting them on the spot, but they cannot retaliate because you are an educated tenant, am I right? Squeeky wheel gets the grease!
5) Don't shout "my attorney will be calling you" at your LL because they have one as well, who may be better paid than your attorney. You have right's follow them and you will come out just fine, 99% of time. Be civil and smart at first, then hire an attorney if you are in a jam.
6) Moving out? Repeat step #2 when you are moving out. Follow the move out instructions if you have them. Always provide more or at minimum notice to vacate if you want to leave in writing....get a copy. Get a copy of the move out inspection and do a final walk through with an agent or LL present. Do you see where this is going....? If your LL is a jerk and you did all this, they are not, i mean not, even going to try to pull a fast one on you because they know you know that you have no intentions of letting them walk over you. Now, make sure you leave your apartment reasonably clean, shampoo the carpets if you like, better, replace all the burned out bulbs, treat the property as if you were the LL at move out, and I guarrantee they will even say thank you for cleaning up. So ask is there anything I have missed so I can correct and receive a full refund of my deposit. If no, then get them to put in writing you are entitled to full refund and your deposit will be returned promptly to your new address.
If you follow my basic steps you will be on your way, but and many of you will probably say this does not cover my situation. Agreed, but honestly you are your only protection and it starts when you put your name on the lease. Know your rights and get to know your LL. He/She can be your best friend or enemy! Not all landlords are evil. Many are very good you just have to know how to play the game.
If you want more tips just ask me.
Good luck!What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
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