Be a Great Tenant and Reap the Benefits

Living in a rental property affords convenience and flexibility to tenants, but also places on them legal and societal accountability. Taking care not to cause damage to a rental property is an obvious responsibility associated with renting a home, but making the extra effort to be a great tenant requires more. Establishing yourself as a model tenant involves meeting the obligations outlined in your lease agreement while maintaining a courteous approach to living in close quarters with your neighbors. The following tips are designed to help you establish a positive reputation and relationship with management and other residents of your apartment community:

-Remember: the lease is King. The lease you enter into is a contractual agreement between yourself and the management company or landlord of the property. Your lease dictates the specific terms to which you are accountable, so it is important to have a thorough understanding of its requirements. Being a good tenant means abiding by the terms of the lease in every way throughout your residency.

-Be courteous to neighbors. Even if your lease does not contain a provision about noise, it is a good idea to be conscious of how your actions may affect others in your apartment community environment. If you would not appreciate your upstairs neighbor hosting an all night soiree in his unit, it is best to refrain from participating in such behavior yourself. If you are inconsiderate of those around you, someone may file a complaint against you and mar your reputation with the landlord or manager. By being respectful of your neighbors, you will build a good name with the landlord and enjoy the respect of your neighbors in return.

-Leave no room for ambiguity. It is generally considered wise practice to put repair requests and other correspondence with management in writing. Your lease may even stipulate that you do so. Having a dated record of all correspondence between yourself and the landlord or management can protect your interests in the event that there is a misunderstanding or simple oversight. Maintaining proof of communication can be particularly beneficial if your property guarantees that repairs will be made within a designated timeframe, such as 24 hours. Besides safeguarding against discrepancies, making requests in writing may just earn you quicker service from a manager or landlord who knows he or she has an obligation to respond to your request.

-Pay rent on time, every time. Not only does paying rent on time each month go hand in hand with adhering to the terms of your lease, it shows your competence and contributes to your reputation as a dependable tenant. Failing to pay rent on time each month can leave your landlord with a negative perception of your competence as a tenant, which may contribute to an overall bad impression. If you have a reliable track record of paying on time each month, you will portray yourself as a model tenant and instill a positive impression, not to mention avoid consequences such as late fees or eviction. In the event that an uncontrollable circumstance does cause a delay in your rent payment, discuss the situation with your landlord or manager before the date rent is due. Having a perfect track record of paying on time will increase the chance that your landlord will work to accommodate you should adverse circumstances arise.

Being a respectful, courteous tenant may not only help you stay on good terms with your landlord or apartment manager, it speaks volumes of your character to your neighbors. Fellow tenants will appreciate your efforts to be a respectful and polite neighbor, and you may even make some new friends in the process.

About the Author: Kim Shufelt is the CEO of www.Dallas-Apartment.com, one of the leading Dallas apartment finders offering free personalized apartment listings for Dallas and all other areas of the Dallas Metroplex. For more information, please visit http://www.Dallas-Apartment.com.

Signing an Apartment Lease – Skimming is not enough!

The search is over and you are finally signing the lease for your new apartment. Just a few pen strokes are all that separate you from your new home. When signing a lease for an apartment, it can be tempting to merely skim the numerous pages of fine print before adorning each with your signature. After all, you have signed a number of leases in the past without a problem.

Neglecting to understand a lease thoroughly prior to committing to its terms can be detrimental. All leases are not created equal, and in fact they vary greatly in terms and stipulations. Leases are sometimes biased to protect the interests of a landlord or management company, making it even more important to read and understand yours thoroughly. Some important provisions to pay attention to are:

-When is rent due, and what penalties are assessed for late payments? The specific rent amount should be noted on the lease, along with the day by which rent is to be paid, the frequency (monthly, weekly, etc.), the start and end date of the lease and any penalties assessed for late payment or a bounced check. These terms can vary greatly among different lease agreements. For instance, one lease may specify that rent must be received by the first day of each month, while another lease may outline a grace period until the fifth. Also helpful is knowing whether rent must be received by the due date, or whether it must be postmarked by the specified date.

-What is the course of action for early termination? Most people intend to stay in an apartment home for the duration of their lease, and thus many neglect to read carefully the section of the agreement outlining the terms of breaking the lease. But the need to break a lease usually stems from unexpected circumstances, so it is helpful to know in advance if and how you can terminate the agreement early should the need arise.

-Are all agreements you have made with the lessor incorporated into the lease? Make sure your lease document or an addendum reflects any verbal agreements large or small between the landlord or manager and yourself. Even a landlord with the greatest of intentions may have a lapse in memory about your discussions. Whether you have been promised that a hole in a wall will be repaired or that a washer and dryer will be installed, ensuring that everything is in writing leaves no room for disagreement in the future.

-Who is responsible for repairs? Usually, the owner of the property is responsible for making repairs unless damage is a result of your negligence. That is to say that responsibility for a faulty air conditioner would probably fall on the property owner, while you would assume responsibility for breaking a window. But do not assume that you are free from responsibility until you read the terms of the lease agreement in full. Some lease agreements specify that a tenant is responsible for damages which result from a failure to report a problem to management early, such as mold growth or water damage.

Leases often contain pages upon pages of fine print, adding to the temptation to skim, sign and be done with it. However, regardless of whether you read all of the provisions, you are contractually bound to abide by them when you and the landlord sign the agreement. When signing a lease for an apartment, ensure that you read and understand every condition to which you are agreeing, asking for clarification if necessary. Developing an understanding of the conditions of your lease will protect you from unpleasant surprises long after you have signed on the dotted line.

About the Author: Kim Shufelt is the CEO of www.Dallas-Apartment.com, one of the leading Dallas apartment finders offering free personalized apartment listings for Dallas and all other areas of the Dallas Metroplex. For more information, please visit http://www.Dallas-Apartment.com.

Perks of Renting vs. Buying a Home

To rent, or to purchase? Many people find themselves confronted with this decision at some point in their lives. Though owning a home undoubtedly brings with it numerous benefits, millions of people still prefer the perks of renting an apartment, house or condo over purchasing a home.

Many renters enjoy the freedom afforded by rental home living. For people seeking the ability to move with little cumbrance, renting provides the simplest means to do so. Although advance notice is usually required prior to vacating a rental property, and potentially an early termination fee, moving out of a rental home pales in comparison to the time, expense and uncertainty associated with selling a home. When looking for a new job, for instance, renters are not confined to a particular geographic area because it is close to home. Renting rather than buying also affords growing families the flexibility to upgrade to a home that is better suited to their evolving needs.

The benefits associated with rental property maintenance cannot be overemphasized. Many new homeowners are unpleasantly shocked at the expense incurred by home and appliance upkeep. When you own a home, you are responsible for maintaining every aspect of the property. If a pipe bursts, guess who will have to foot the bill for repairing it as well as any damage it may have caused? If the heater fails in the dead of winter and costs $3,000 to replace, who will be sleeping in frigid temperatures until the repair is possible? You guessed it—the homeowner. Renters, on the other hand, have all of the benefits of using the home and appliances without the financial responsibility to perform repairs. Without having to deal with unexpected home maintenance costs, a renter can enjoy more stability in monthly expenses than a homeowner who is spending time and money maintaining the rattling refrigerator, the leaky faucet and the broken toilet.

Another perk of renting rather than purchasing a home is access to amenities that may otherwise be cost prohibitive. Many apartment properties provide amenities such as fitness facilities, tennis courts and pools, luxuries that would be costly and rare to find in a home for purchase. Apartment communities are providing more amenities than ever in order to compete with one another, and renters are reaping the benefits.

Many renters choose to take advantage of the stable living expenses associated with apartment living while they save up to purchase a home. Still others are attracted to the convenience of renting and have no intention of ever buying a home. The decision of whether to rent or purchase a home is a personal one, and many people do both during the course of a lifetime. Finances and lifestyle usually play a major role in determining whether renting or buying a home is the best arrangement for an individual or family.

About the Author: Kim Shufelt is the CEO of www.Dallas-Apartment.com, one of the leading Dallas apartment finders offering free personalized apartment listings for Dallas and all other areas of the Dallas Metroplex. For more information, please visit http://www.Dallas-Apartment.com.