* Take a walk through the unit that you are renting to make sure it is in good repair.* Be sure to read the lease completely. All leases are not the s...
* Take a walk through the unit that you are renting to make sure it is in good repair.
* Be sure to read the lease completely. All leases are not the same.
What should be included in your lease:
* All verbal promises should be reduced to writing within the lease.
* Are there provisions for a job transfer within the lease?
* How and when do you give notice to move? Must you give notice even when the lease expires and you wish to move? Can you go month to month at the expiration of you lease?
* How long does the landlord have to return your security deposit once you have moved.
* Who is responsible for the repairs to the apartment? If you move into an apartment complex, there are usually maintenance people to take care of all needed repairs. On the other hand if you are renting from a private landlord, you may be responsible for part or all of the repairs.
* Are late fees addressed in the lease?
* Who is responsible for the utilities?
* What happens if you cause damage to the apartment?
If you want to make a change to the lease, cross out the clause in question. Then both you and the landlord must initial the change for it to be binding.
Moving Your Pet
Getting through the emotional stress of moving is difficult enough for adults and children. But what about pets, a species with whom we can't even level? Pet owners are often baffled by their pets' behavior during and after a move. Sometimes it's a personality change, a regression in housebreaking habits or a sudden unexplained illness. Even if you don't notice something that dramatic, there's no question that your faithful companion is feeling stress. How do you move your pet and keep the strain to an absolute minimum -- both to yourself and your beloved pet?
Is That Apartment Hazardous to Your Health?
When you sign a lease committing yourself to a unit in an apartment complex or building, you're agreeing to live in close quarters with strangers. You're also making the assumption that your building will be properly managed and maintained. That includes such factors as air quality and adequate pest control. As a tenant, you have rights, of course, but some of the most serious threats to your health -- such as carbon monoxide -- are ones you can't even see or smell.
Does The Landlord Have To Clean The Apartment Before I Move In?
QUESTION:What can I do about a landlord who promised a clean and newly painted apartment before we moved in, but didn't deliver? We have moved in because we had nowhere else to go, but I am concerned about our children's health and the total well-being of our family. Can I report the unhealthy living conditions to the health department? Please let me know of my legal rights or how to go about this problem in a dignified manner.
