| You've been looking around for a certain house in | | | | must be under a certain weight. There is often a |
| a certain area. Location, square footage, number | | | | separate security deposit that will be required that |
| of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, and the | | | | is often termed a pet deposit. |
| type of yard all meet your specific needs. Finally, | | | | 4) Is there a clause in the agreement to release |
| you believe you've found the perfect match. | | | | you from the timeframe agreed upon in case of |
| There are a few things to check out before | | | | an emergency, such as unexpected job |
| making the big commitment of signing on the | | | | relocation? It is helpful to know this in advance so |
| dotted line. | | | | that you can plan appropriately. Some landlords will |
| 1) What is the length of the lease? Is this a place | | | | let you sublet the space. Some will make you pay |
| you plan to live in for a long time or just as | | | | for the entire length of the lease, whether you |
| temporary living quarters? Different options | | | | move or not. Some will allow you to pay a "break |
| usually include a month-to-month arrangement, a | | | | the lease" penalty fee. Check the language in your |
| six month lease agreement or a one year lease. | | | | agreement carefully. |
| Quite often the shorter amounts of time are | | | | 5) Make sure the monthly rental amount and the |
| offered at a higher monthly rate, but it might be | | | | date that it is due is spelled out in black and white |
| worth the extra money for more flexibility if | | | | in your contract. There should also be language |
| there is a possibility of needing to move again | | | | which reflects whether there is any grace period |
| soon. | | | | for late payments and what the cost of late |
| 2) What amount of security deposit is required | | | | charges will be, should they ever occur. |
| and what are the stipulations for getting it back? | | | | 6) If you are dealing with an individual landlord |
| This deposit usually covers breakage or damages | | | | owner rather than a property management |
| that are not considered normal wear and tear. Be | | | | company, you may want to check the county |
| sure to carefully inspect the property and record | | | | records to assure that this is indeed the property |
| any existing flaws, such as dented cabinets, a | | | | owner whom you are turning large sums of |
| stain on the carpet, a broken curtain rod, etc. Any | | | | money over to. There have been cases where |
| damage that is found should be documented in | | | | prospective tenants have been victimized by |
| writing so that you won't be charged for it when | | | | giving cash to a person who didn't have the right |
| you move out. | | | | to be leasing out the property at all. |
| 3) Do you have pets? You will need to find out if | | | | When all of your questions have been answered |
| they are allowed and if so, what types. Some | | | | satisfactorily, then go ahead and sign on the |
| rental houses allow dogs, for example, but they | | | | dotted line and start packing! |