I'm constantly surprised by the binds my clients get themselves into because of a lack of understanding about pretty basic things. Not having the proper knowledge about leases, tenant rights, and real estate in general can cause very costly mistakes. I’ve put together a list of things that every renter should fully comprehend and make note of when looking for an apartment complex.
1. Notice to Vacate: If you are currently leasing (especially from a corporation) you are more than likely required to give at least a 30 day notice to vacate and in some cases 60 days are required. You are required to provide this even if your lease is expiring or you are on a month-to-month basis. You must provide this notice in writing. I suggest hand delivering your notice and receiving a receipt from the complex manager or mailing it thru the USPS and paying the extra sixty cents for delivery confirmation. Click here for an example of a notice to vacate letter.
2. Pets: Before you go out and shell out hundreds of dollars on a new puppy it is a good idea to check with your apartment manager to see if they accept them. You should also be prepared to pay a pretty hefty pet deposit and in some cases pet rent every month. Most complexes in Austin will not accept Pit Bulls and only 2 pets per apartment. Some apartments don't accept pets at all and most have weight limits (around 75 combined pounds) and have some breed restrictions.
3. Roommates: Especially in these turbulent economic times having a roommate is a good idea...or is it? It is a great way to lower your monthly expenses and save on rent but if they bail on you it might mean you are in hot water. Even if both parties sign the lease you will (in most cases) be responsible for the entire rent if they run off to Japan. It is hard to determine a good roommate because sometimes even close friends and family members will put you in a bind but it is good to know the consequences before you sign on the dotted line. My suggestion: If you aren't sure if you can trust a roommate - go for an efficiency or super inexpensive 1 bedroom like the one here.
4. Your Past: If you've ever broken a lease or owe money to a collections agency it pays to take care of those outstanding debts ASAP! You will end up living somewhere less than ideal OR paying a much higher security deposit. If you've found yourself in either one of these predicaments there is good news: you can do something about it. Contact the management company for the apartment and find out how much you owe. If you are lucky you can make payment arrangements if not you will need to make a single payment to take care of it. Make sure you keep receipts of your payment and receive a confirmation from the management company as well. As far as leasing goes it is super beneficial if you don't owe outstanding debt to any utility companies. Once again, call them and find out how much you owe and start paying it off. Be sure to keep copies of all payments and conduct all agreements in writing. It wouldn't hurt to ask for a pay-to-delete from your credit bureau file. Here's an example of a pay-to-delete letter. In the end it will cost you for your past mistakes but it will save you lots of money in the long run if you take care of these items now.
5. Know Your Rights - Chances are you don't know your rights when you are leasing; most people don't. It may seem that the apartment complex has all the power and they will if you don't educate yourself. If you ever find yourself in a bind or feel as if there is something fishy going on at your complex check out the Austin's Tenant Council. They are on your side and will guide you with educational resources and proper knowledge of the situation.
1. Notice to Vacate: If you are currently leasing (especially from a corporation) you are more than likely required to give at least a 30 day notice to vacate and in some cases 60 days are required. You are required to provide this even if your lease is expiring or you are on a month-to-month basis. You must provide this notice in writing. I suggest hand delivering your notice and receiving a receipt from the complex manager or mailing it thru the USPS and paying the extra sixty cents for delivery confirmation. Click here for an example of a notice to vacate letter.
2. Pets: Before you go out and shell out hundreds of dollars on a new puppy it is a good idea to check with your apartment manager to see if they accept them. You should also be prepared to pay a pretty hefty pet deposit and in some cases pet rent every month. Most complexes in Austin will not accept Pit Bulls and only 2 pets per apartment. Some apartments don't accept pets at all and most have weight limits (around 75 combined pounds) and have some breed restrictions.
3. Roommates: Especially in these turbulent economic times having a roommate is a good idea...or is it? It is a great way to lower your monthly expenses and save on rent but if they bail on you it might mean you are in hot water. Even if both parties sign the lease you will (in most cases) be responsible for the entire rent if they run off to Japan. It is hard to determine a good roommate because sometimes even close friends and family members will put you in a bind but it is good to know the consequences before you sign on the dotted line. My suggestion: If you aren't sure if you can trust a roommate - go for an efficiency or super inexpensive 1 bedroom like the one here.
4. Your Past: If you've ever broken a lease or owe money to a collections agency it pays to take care of those outstanding debts ASAP! You will end up living somewhere less than ideal OR paying a much higher security deposit. If you've found yourself in either one of these predicaments there is good news: you can do something about it. Contact the management company for the apartment and find out how much you owe. If you are lucky you can make payment arrangements if not you will need to make a single payment to take care of it. Make sure you keep receipts of your payment and receive a confirmation from the management company as well. As far as leasing goes it is super beneficial if you don't owe outstanding debt to any utility companies. Once again, call them and find out how much you owe and start paying it off. Be sure to keep copies of all payments and conduct all agreements in writing. It wouldn't hurt to ask for a pay-to-delete from your credit bureau file. Here's an example of a pay-to-delete letter. In the end it will cost you for your past mistakes but it will save you lots of money in the long run if you take care of these items now.
5. Know Your Rights - Chances are you don't know your rights when you are leasing; most people don't. It may seem that the apartment complex has all the power and they will if you don't educate yourself. If you ever find yourself in a bind or feel as if there is something fishy going on at your complex check out the Austin's Tenant Council. They are on your side and will guide you with educational resources and proper knowledge of the situation.
In conclusion: know what you are signing before you sign it, get agreements in writing, and always know your rights. Need more information about leasing? Email me at julio@aplusapartments.com
This is super useful info, THANKS!
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