The general rule is that you are not responsible for normal wear and tear. For example, if the dishwasher must be replaced because it has simply worn out, that's the landlord's responsibility.
If you or your guest cause damage by your unreasonable carelessness or deliberate misuse, however, you must pay for it. The cost of replacing the dining room carpet because your fish tank sprang a leak will properly come out of the deposit. You must leave a rental at least as clean as it was when you moved in.
Because "normal wear and tear" can be interpreted many different ways, disputes often arise. The bottom line is that the better you itemize and document the condition of your unit when you move in, the better case you'll have against a landlord who tries to gouge you on the way out.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Homeowners Association
An organization comprising neighbors concerned with managing the common areas of a subdivision or condominium complex. These associations take on issues such as salting and sanding a subdivision when it snows and collecting dues from residents.
The homeowners' association is also responsible for enforcing any covenants, conditions & restrictions that apply to the property.
A homeowners' association (abbrev. HOA) is a legal entity created by a real estate developer for the purpose of developing, managing and selling a development of homes.
It allows the developer to exit financial and legal responsibility of the community, typically by transferring ownership of the association to the homeowners after selling off a predetermined number of lots.
It allows the municipality to increase its tax base, but reduce the amount of services it would ordinarily have to provide to non-homeowners association developments. This article covers this type of HOA.
Most homeowners' associations are non-profit corporations, and are subject to state statutes that govern non-profit corporations and homeowners' associations. State oversight of homeowners associations is inconsistent from state to state.
Some states have a strong body of homeowner association law such as Florida and California, and some states have virtually no homeowner association law such as Massachusetts.
The homeowners' association is also responsible for enforcing any covenants, conditions & restrictions that apply to the property.
A homeowners' association (abbrev. HOA) is a legal entity created by a real estate developer for the purpose of developing, managing and selling a development of homes.
It allows the developer to exit financial and legal responsibility of the community, typically by transferring ownership of the association to the homeowners after selling off a predetermined number of lots.
It allows the municipality to increase its tax base, but reduce the amount of services it would ordinarily have to provide to non-homeowners association developments. This article covers this type of HOA.
Most homeowners' associations are non-profit corporations, and are subject to state statutes that govern non-profit corporations and homeowners' associations. State oversight of homeowners associations is inconsistent from state to state.
Some states have a strong body of homeowner association law such as Florida and California, and some states have virtually no homeowner association law such as Massachusetts.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Tenant Rights
Tenant rights can either refer to the rights tenants enjoy by law, or to the movement to acquire such rights. Tenant rights generally seek to protect renters from landlord neglect and unfair eviction, as well as secure fair, affordable housing.
Laws dealing with the landlord-tenant relationship vary greatly between jurisdictions. These laws may provide some or all of the following for tenants:
- remedies for bad conditions
- privacy protections
- protection from landlord retaliation
- protection from exorbitant rent increases
- protection for the right to organize
- Just cause eviction controls
1. Bring your paperwork.
I myself have an experience when we are (NPA) "No Permanent Address"period.
The best way to win over a prospective landlord is to be prepared.
To get a competitive edge over other applicants, bring the following when you meet the landlord: a completed rental application; written references from landlords, employers, and colleagues; and a current copy of your credit report.
The best way to win over a prospective landlord is to be prepared.
To get a competitive edge over other applicants, bring the following when you meet the landlord: a completed rental application; written references from landlords, employers, and colleagues; and a current copy of your credit report.
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