Tenant Tips: Everything You Need to Know About Renting a House

When you want to rent a house, you need to understand your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. You don't own the home, but you must treat it as the owner and take responsibility for looking after it. At the same time, you also have certain rights, such as a right to privacy, that the landlord should not violate. The tenants' rights vary from state to state, so you need to know what applies to your state or city. You need to be aware of some facts before renting a house.  

Thoroughly inspect the property.

You need to inspect the house you plan on renting as you don't want to move in and find you have all kinds of problems. Check that the house is structurally sound, clean, and sanitary. Check that heat, water, and electricity are available, and that the plumbing works properly (flush all the toilets!). Check the house's safety by ensuring all the locks on doors and latches on windows work correctly. 

Ask the landlord about the maintenance of the house. Landlords who use property management services have an advantage because these services help maintain the property. Evernest, APM, and Mynd offer hassle-free property management services in Colorado Springs. Property managers will do a walk-through and check that the property is ready to rent. Evernest also provides a maintenance guarantee and carries out annual maintenance inspections. 

Read the lease carefully.

Before you move into a house, you and the landlord will have to sign a lease which is a legally binding contract. Read through it carefully so you fully understand your rights and responsibilities. Make sure it is evident on the use and refund of security deposits. You can avoid paying the security deposit upfront by opting for a Direct Deposit. which allows you to pay the security deposit in installments with a flexible payment structure. Does it include excessive late fees? Check that the lease doesn't contain any clauses that could be unfair to you. You may not want to sign a lease if it includes provisions that prohibit design alterations, ban pets, restrict guests, or state that the landlord can conduct weekly property inspections. It would be best if you also considered insurance for renters policy to help you avoid unnecessary expenses and protect your personal property in your rental unit.

Do a walkthrough with the landlord. 

To avoid any disputes with a landlord, it is essential to get any potential issues ironed out right from the start. Do a walkthrough with the landlord and record any existing damage to the premises. Document any issues with photos if you can. If you request repairs, don't just do this verbally but keep everything in writing. You don't want the landlord to accuse you of damage and take money out of your deposit to do repairs.  

Prioritize paying rent over other expenses

Landlords need to make a steady and reliable income from their investment, so you should pay your rent in full and on time. Landlords usually accept payment in various forms, although paying cash is not encouraged because it leaves no paper trail. Paying your rent online is a quick and convenient option. 

It is not a good idea to withhold rent from a landlord who isn't doing the repairs you request. Rather talk it over and see if there are other ways to resolve the issue. If you are having financial difficulties, it is always best to be upfront with the landlord and try to work out an arrangement together.  

Establish a good relationship with your landlord 

Establishing a good relationship with your landlord doesn't mean you must be best friends. It would be best if you always were cordial and polite. You are more likely to get a quick response to any requests if you develop a good relationship. If landlords have property managers, develop a relationship with them. 

Thinking of your landlord as an adversary can cost you money, time, and stress. When it comes time to renew the lease, it helps to have a good relationship with landlords, and they may even be willing to renegotiate some terms to keep you if you're a reliable tenant. 

Landlords can only enforce what's written in the lease. 

Landlords have a right to perform property inspections but don't have the right to harass you. You have a right to privacy, and the lease should state whether the landlord has a right to enter the property or not. In most cases, they are required to conduct inspections at reasonable times and give tenants notice. 

Landlords can't take action outside the court process to evict you even if you fail to pay rent. They must serve you with a legal notice first and give you a set amount of time to pay your rent. Shutting off utilities, changing locks, or removing your possessions isn't permitted. Even if the landlord wants to terminate your lease without cause, you must be given time to move out, and this time period can vary from state to state.