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Renting a House


Typically, renting a house does not guarantee free maintenance services. Ask the landlord who is responsible for repairs (you or the landlord). In some areas, the landlord is supposed to guarantee a livable environment for his renters, which includes doing repairs. Check your local renter/tenant laws about the responsibilities of the landlord. You can usually find these at the local library. If the landlord is not responsible for repairs, you may be on your own. Can you handle it?

Questions to Ask the Landlord
  Here are some questions you should ask before signing the lease.

  • What is the length of the lease. Are there any penalties for breaking the lease or getting out the lease early?
  • Any deposits required? Are the deposits refundable?
  • Who does the yard work and the outdoor maintenance?
  • Who does the indoor maintenance?
  • Can you paint or repaper the walls? Can you hang paintings (with nails)? Can you alter the landscape (such as to install a garden)?
  • Is the house insured against fire and damage (homeowners insurance)?
  • Who pays the electric bill, water bill, telephone bill, etc?

Last Word
  Just some other things to think about…

If the landlord decides to sell the house (which is actually a pretty common event), by law he must give you a certain amount of time to vacate the property. Oftentimes, the new owners will want you to continue to rent from them. Check your local laws to see how much time you are allotted to vacate. In some areas, you have until your lease is up.

If you decide to install anything (such as a new light fixture, a ceiling fan, satellite dish, etc), you must get your landlord’s permission first. Often enough, the landlord might mind, but sometimes they don’t want their property altered in any way.

You might want to consider renter’s insurance. If something happens to the house, you want your stuff to be insured. The landlord should already have his own homeowners insurance protecting the property as well. You should ask him.

The copyright of the article Renting a House in Apartment Living is owned by Wendy Waid. Permission to republish Renting a House in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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