Know Before You Rent

Once you’ve signed on the dotted line for the lease to your new rental housing and the keys have been handed over, what’s next on your must-do job list? Many renters want to start the moving-in process immediately, but before they plug in their lamp, they’ll need to get the electricity turned on. If the […]

When it comes to apartment living, landlords traditionally handle property maintenance both in the apartment and outside. And if extreme weather or a broken pipe causes damage, again, traditionally it’s the landlord’s responsibility to fix the damage. However, the landlord’s responsibility stops when it comes to the belongings inside the apartment. Renters may want to […]

Moving to a new neighborhood, a new city or even a new state requires some research to take place before you decide to change your address. Without research, you could discover your new home is in a flight path for the local airport, or that the area is prone to high crime rates. So before you […]

You have a lot to think about when you’re considering whether to buy or rent your home, and which is the better deal for you. Questions you should ask yourself when considering renting vs. owning a home: How long do I plan to live in this location? Do I want to take on household maintenance […]

Larger apartment complexes often set up a “model” apartment to show potential tenants what the set up looks like. However, this model apartment isn’t the actual apartment they will be renting. Before signing a lease agreement with the landlord, insist upon seeing the specific unit you’ll be renting. Signing a lease sight unseen could leave […]

If your rent has gone up significantly several years in a row, you might be questioning if you want to continue renewing your lease, or move on to a new rental unit. Before you decide to make the big move, you might want to find out if your rent increases mirror the rent paid for […]

Security deposits can add up to a lot of money when they’re made on a rental unit. Some landlords charge renters a month’s rent for a security deposit, others want the first and last month, while still others will set a dollar amount. Landlords hold security deposits to help cover the cost of repairs if […]

It used to be prospective renters turned to the newspaper or relied on word-of-mouth when it came time to look for an apartment or rental house. And when moving to a new community, some renters would travel there early to find a place, well before the intended moving date. Now the Internet allows potential renters […]

Applying for a lease on a new apartment or home? As you and your potential future landlord negotiate the lease details, be sure you know the answers to the following questions: Parking – Is a parking space included in your rent? If so, where is it, and does it include a garage or electrical plug […]

When multiple people agree to rent a home or unit at the same time, they often will put all their names on a lease. When relationships are good, and everyone is in agreement with each other, this shouldn’t cause a problem. But if a relationship sours during the term of the lease, problems may occur […]