Know Before You Rent

How to Legally Break Your Lease?

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You need to break your lease. Whether the reasons are because of a new job, or because your landlord is a nightmare, thinking about breaking a lease can bring major anxiety. You need to go but are you going to get stiffed your rent for the rest of the year? Knowing if you can break your lease […]

What to do When You Need to Sublet?

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You just landed the perfect job, but it’s in a different city and you’re stuck in a lease. Or maybe you have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go backpacking in Europe during the summer. If you find yourself needing to move before your lease is up, you may want to try to sublet your apartment. Subletting […]

Low Stress Moving: Introducing Your New Teammate

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Anyone who has packed up everything they own and hauled it across town, across the state or across the country knows that moving stress can be overwhelming. In fact, one study ranked moving the No. 3 most stressful activity a human can undertake, just behind divorce and death. Cable must be cancelled, mail re-routed, neighbors […]

It’s Easier to Rent without a Pet – Lose the pet?

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Finding a new apartment is a giant undertaking, and you want to have everything lined up and ready to go if the perfect rental unit becomes available within your price range. But before you rush to sign on the dotted line of your lease agreement, it’s good to read the fine print on what the […]

Are the Processing Fees Being Charged by a Landlord Fair or Not?

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In addition to rent, landlords do have the ability to charge certain processing fees. But what is considered the standard for landlord fees? Security deposit – Many landlords will charge for a security deposit. Sometimes it will be the total of one month’s rent, other times it will be a set dollar figure. This money […]

How to Negotiate a Better Monthly Rent Payment

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You want the best rental you can afford, but what if you could get a little bit more? What if the place of your dreams was just a little cheaper? Too good to be true, right? Not if you approach your next lease discussion with an eye on negotiating. Here’s how to negotiate a better […]

What are the Ramifications of Having Multiple People on a Rental Agreement?

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Sharing an apartment or a rental house with friends is a great way to save money. Plus, some people love the social connection of always having friends around. But signing a lease agreement with multiple people can also create problems – especially if the friendships fall apart. One person wants to leave prior to the […]

What to Know About Rental Agreements Before You Sign

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First-time renters often are so excited about living on their own – no parents in sight – that they often don’t carefully review the lease agreement prior to signing. What all renters should know is a rental agreement – or lease – is a contract. It specifies exactly what responsibilities the landlord has, including maintenance […]

Can Landlords Fine Tenants?

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When rules are broken in communities, fines and penalties are imposed upon the rule breaker(s) based upon the laws established in the community. But when it comes to apartment complexes overseen by a landlord or management company, conventions vary on if landlords can fine tenants. Here are some general concepts on if landlords can fine […]