Commuter Housing Tips
Tips for Tenant and Landlord relations
Please stop and consider the fact that for the majority of your life so far you were probably living with your parents or guardians. It may not seem like a big deal, but think about this for just a moment. More than likely, your parents were the ones who ensured that the light, gas, water, and cable bills were paid on time; when things were broken, such as that annoying, leaky faucet in the bathroom, they called the plumber or landlord and dealt with the situation. You probably had to rarely think about issues such as these. But now that you are considering or are living on your own, the responsibility quickly falls into your hands. Are you so certain that you know what to do in various situations? For example, if you have a utility problem with your apartment, condo, or house, is the issue your landlord’s responsibility or are you to handle it on your own? If you find that it is a problem for your landlord to handle, how do you approach him or her? These are all difficult questions to consider. Are you confident and know what to do if a situation arises? If not, then please see the links below. The following links contain information about your rights and responsibilities as a tenant and what you should do to ensure that your needs are met.
Tenant & Landlord Rights & Responsibilities
Tips to know if a landlord is reputable
Would you ever buy a car without first knowing how long the dealer has been in business? No? Well, then you probably are not too keen about renting an apartment or house from someone who, just a few months ago, jumped head first into the industry. But, how can you know who to trust when seeking out a place to live? Are you sure that your potential landlord will be honest with you, or is he just looking for an inexperienced renter, like yourself, to prey on?
The best solution to all your questions is to be informed about who you choose to rent from, and learn whether or not you are willing to trust him with your money. The following is a link to an article which discusses several things you can do to find more information on individuals you may rent from. One suggestion the article highlights is to contact your local Better Business Bureau to investigate any reports that may have been made against your landlord. The best part of all, the Better Business Bureau does not charge you a single penny to review any reports that may have been made regarding your potential landlord.
Doing Your Homework on Potential Landlords
Signing a Lease
Signing a lease to your new apartment or home is one of the most important concerns when choosing where you would like to live. Like any other legal document, it is imperative that you read it very closely to fully understand what your side of the agreement entails. Failure to uphold your portion of the agreement could result in fines and other legal actions. Conversely, by understanding what the lease states you are more aware of the responsibilities of your landlord. This can provide you with a blanket of security.
Unfortunately, the majority of those who sign a lease are unaware of what to expect and are unsure about what should be included in a proper leasing agreement. Below are several links that provide information to help you navigate your way around the legal jargon and pick out the minute details of your lease that your landlord may have forgotten to mention. So, before you sign your next year’s pay away take a closer look at the fine print.
Renter’s Insurance
Have you ever thought about the fact that most of your valuable possessions all reside in a single place, your house or apartment? Because of this, one major catastrophe, such as a house fire or robbery, could potentially wipe out everything you own. Maybe this does not surprise you. However, did you know that if you fail to purchase renter’s insurance you risk not being able to ever replace these items if they actually are destroyed or stolen? What a nightmare that would be! In this section, you have the option to review several sites that may help you understand the importance of renter’s insurance and how to obtain it for yourself.
OFIS Urges College Students to Get Renters' Insurance
Consumer Alert: Renter's Insurance
How to look for a house or apartment
Now before you get too carried away about living on your own it is important to think about your needs, and what type of living situation you can afford. Sure it would be nice to have your own Olympic-sized heated pool with 20 ft. fountains spouting to your favorite tunes in the backyard. But let’s be honest, most of us will never be able to afford a place like that, even with a graduate degree. Any veteran renter or home-owner would suggest to first get down to the basic necessities of a home, and the following sites can help. Once you have determined what you need and can afford, there are several avenues you can take to begin your hunt for a home including online apartment and home finders. Sites such as these can be quite beneficial when you know what you are looking for.
Quesitons to Ask When Viewing Property