5 Must-Knows Before Renting a House
Are you considering renting a house? Here are five things you
absolutely must know! If you do, you'll be better prepared to sign a
lease with confidence and get the most out of your new residence.
Know Your Rights as a Potential Renter
Before beginning your search for a rental property, you should be
aware of federal protections against housing discrimination. The Fair
Housing act forbids landlords from choosing or discriminating against
tenants on the basis of race, sex, religion, ethnicity, mental or
physical disability, or family status. Some states and metropolitan
areas also have laws that prohibit discrimination based on sexual
orientation or marital status.
On the other hand, it is okay for a landlord to pick or exclude
tenants based on valid financial reasons. It is not considered
discrimination for a landlord to require a certain income, number of
references, or job status, as long as these conditions must be met by
all tenants, regardless of their identification in any of the
categories above.
If you believe that you are facing discrimination in violation of the
Fair Housing Act, either as a tenant or a potential tenant, you can
contact your local HUD office and file a complaint. Complaints about
violations of state or city fair housing acts should be filed with the
appropriate local office or enforcing agencies.
Know what your lease can and can't do for you… before you sign
Many new tenants assume that local laws govern the conditions of
tenancy and leasing agreements. Not so. When it comes to your new
living arrangement and your rights as a tenant, in many cases, your
lease is the law. So take the time to review it carefully - the thirty
minutes spent reading and understanding the terms of the lease will be
well worth it. Don't just assume that the conditions are acceptable,
or that there is nothing you can do to change the wording of the
lease. Using your potential tenancy as bargaining power, you have more
control over your future living conditions at this point than any
other. However, once you've signed your name, there will be little you
can do to change the agreement in the lease.
If something in the lease strikes you as unfair, don't be afraid to
speak up. And don't accept verbal assurances - demand to get it in
writing. Even if your potential landlord assures you that some clause
of the lease will not be enforced, or promises additional benefits or
concessions, he has no legal obligation to keep these promises. And
likewise, you will have no way to enforce a mere verbal agreement. So
make sure that all assumptions, agreements, and assurances are
mutually approved, in the lease.
Know What to Get in Writing
If you've never rented a house before, there may be new aspects to
residency and property care that you haven't yet considered. For the
most part, these conditions will be defined solely by the lease. Don't
make assumptions! Make sure you and your landlord are on the same
page, particularly regarding:
- Who is responsible for caring for the yard? Keep in mind that if
you're the one responsible, you may have to invest in lawn tools -
like a lawnmower. If you're living within city limits, there are
frequently city codes that require that your yard is kept up. Don't
forget about raking leaves in the fall and shoveling snow in the
winter, either. Make sure the lease specifies who is responsible for
yard care.
- Who is responsible for maintaining large appliances? If the house
comes with appliances like a washer, dryer, refrigerator, or oven,
don't assume that these appliances will necessarily fall under the
landlord's responsibility. Ensure that the lease is clear on who will
fix or replace these appliances should they break.
- What are your privacy rights? Is the landlord required to give you a verbal or written notice before entering the house or coming onto the premises, or is she free to enter at any time? If she is required to notify you ahead of time, how much warning can you expect? Many leases reserve the right for the landlord to enter at will.
Getting it in writing is a habit that starts with the lease, but it shouldn't end there. It's a good rule to follow as a tenant, too. Any correspondence with your landlord should be put in writing, and then filed in your records. Having a written record of all correspondence is the best way to fairly and diplomatically negotiate any problems or disagreements that might arise.
Know How to Protect Your Security Deposit
When is the best time to start thinking about getting your deposit
back? Before you even move in! Plan strategically to protect your
deposit by doing a thorough walk-through and recording any
pre-existing damage.
The best time to do your walk-through is just before you move in,
while the rooms are still empty. Create a written record by commenting
as specifically as possible on the current condition of the house. If
there is any existing damage, note the exact type and where it is
located. The more specific and detailed you are, the more useful your
record will be, and the better it will hold up should disagreements
about damage occur later on. "Mildew spots in left inner corner of
tub" is much more difficult to argue with than "Water damage in
bathroom".
It's also a good idea to take a camera with you and take pictures.
Create a visual record to back up your written list, taking detailed
snapshots of all aspects of the house and property. These pictures may
come in handy a year or more down the road as additional bargaining
power in securing the return of your deposit. Of course, this record
won't prevent you from getting charged should you do any damage to the
unit, but it can help protect you from being blamed for pre-existing
damage.
Think like a detective when doing your walk-through, by looking beyond
the surface. Make sure that any appliances work and take note of any
performance problems. Turn on the faucets and check out the water
pressure and sink drainage. Look inside closets and open and close the
windows. Pay attention to how things in the house work, not just how
they look.
Know How Renter's Insurance Can Help You
If you are renting a house (or any kind of rental unit), you need
renter's insurance! Renter's insurance will protect you against losses
or damages due to fires, flooding, robbery, electrical damage, or
similar adverse events. Unless your landlord actually causes the
disaster, his insurance will only provide coverage for damage to the
actual unit. Anything that you lose in the event of damage is your
responsibility. If the house burns down with all your belongings in
it, or flooding ruins all your furniture, the cost of replacing these
items will be your burden alone. And, so will the cost of staying
somewhere else while repairs are made to the house.
Renter's insurance can help you prepare for these types of events. In
addition, renter's insurance protects you from personal liability for
accidental damage to the property of others in your care, or for harm
done to visitors in your home. If you were to be sued because your dog
bit the neighbor, or because your child's friend was hurt while at
your home, renters insurance will extend coverage to cover these
costs. In general, renter's insurance is fairly affordable, averaging
$150 to $300 a year. Accidents happen, and being prepared is always a
good investment.