Your responsibilities as a Tenant

Carefully read your lease agreement. The print may be small but when you sign on the dotted line you are legally agreeing to adhere to the stipulations included within. Most leasing agreements are written in language that is beneficial to the landlord or leasing office, therefore, it’s important that you have a clear understanding of what the agreement entails. If there are terms you wish to negotiate, do so before you sign the lease. Make certain that both your copy and the landlord’s copy have the new terms. Ignoring stipulated ‘notice periods’ for the termination of your lease and the ‘breaking of the lease’ clause may have costly repercussions. You cannot assume the notice period to vacate your apartment is 30 days, when it may in fact be 60 days (2 months). Most lease agreements stipulate that if you do decide to break the lease, you will be responsible for the remainder of the lease or until the apartment is re-rented in addition to the loss of your deposit.

Be sure to pay your rent on time or you’ll face late fees or even worse, eviction. If you cannot pay your rent due to unforeseen circumstances, e.g. like the loss of roommate or perhaps financial difficulties, approach your landlord and inquire about an extension or if you have the option of making a partial payment. Just realize that an additional late fees penalty may be applied. However, if your landlord is not agreeable, you’ll need to quickly make alternative arrangements by either seeking a loan or searching for an inexpensive apartment. If you’re in a 2 bedroom apartment but you no longer have a roommate, moving into a 1 bedroom apartment maybe more financially realistic.

Try to keep up the maintenance of a tidy apartment as well as the surrounding outdoor areas, e.g. patios or entryways. This may be as simple as getting a few extra hampers for laundry and trash receptacles. You will be rewarded with peace of mind when your apartment has unexpected visitors or inspections by your landlord.

Keep noise to a reasonable volume level out of respect for your neighbors. Also, during weekdays try to keep your noise levels downs before 8am and after 8pm, in deference to your neighbors’ – and roommates! – personal schedules.

Make sure you do a walk through of the apartment with your landlord. Make a checklist of any damages you encounter along the way. Take pictures of the apartment and mail or email the picture checklist to your landlord and keep a copy for your own files. If you sent an email, keep a copy of the sent email and it’s receipt in a folder in your email. Once you vacate the property your landlord may attempt to bill you for damages to the apartment and opt to keep your security deposit in lieu of them. A checklist with supporting pictures will serve as your proof if you do not want to face repercussions that can later affect your security deposit.

Keep copies of all correspondence to and from your landlord. Be sure to make notes, including the day and time, regarding any verbal conversations you have. You can make requests of your landlord in person if that is easier, perhaps you wish to have 24 hours notice before your landlord enters your apartment, but make sure to write a letter as to the specifics of the conversation. A simple: ‘as we discussed earlier on (date), I will receive 24 hours notice before you enter my apartment to perform routine checks and maintenance.

Make certain you keep your rental insurance up to date for your personal belongings. Heaven forbid that you suffer an unexpected loss due to fire or natural disaster or theft without recourse. It is not your landlord’s responsibility to insure your personal belongs. However, in some states the landlord must refund your security deposit within 72 hours if a hazardous condition, such as faulty or leaky gas equipment causes a tenant to vacate the property.

Seek permission from your landlord in writing before you move in a pet or another person as you could be subject to a fine or even worse, eviction.

By Leanne Naidoo

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