When you rent a home, you are paying someone to live in their space. You have no legal rights to the home other than being the tenant. However, there are many out there who believe that they are able to do anything they want within those walls. Although being a tenant does have its privileges and rights, there are many things you need to get permission for before you act within the walls of the property belonging to someone else.
1. Construction - When you are renting a home or an apartment from a person or company, you need to leave that apartment in the same condition as when you arrived. It is not up to you to question the designing aesthetics of the residence. Some owners may be OK with you tearing down a wall, building shelves, or removing the carpet. Just make sure you have permission before you whip out your tools. In some cases, the owner may even pay you for your troubles.
2. Pets - Many owners don’t want to be troubled by repairing damage pets can cause. Even if you are the cleanest pet owner in the world, it’s still the owner’s call. Some landlords will insist on pet deposits, which usually cover the cleaning costs after you move out. However, sneaking an animal in is not only forfeiting any of that deposit back, but you could be held accountable for breach of contract. If you sign a lease, you could be liable to pay the entire lease off while being evicted from the home.
3. Maintenance Costs - Most contracts you agree to will have the landlord’s responsibilities drawn out. When you’re built-in dishwasher breaks down, is it the landlord’s responsibility for repairs or yours? These are the kinds of things you need to detail before you rent. If you don’t agree to the maintenance plans set up by the landlord, find another place to live. You don’t have to be bound to a location you don’t like.
4. Insurance - Most landlords will have a kind of homeowner’s insurance placed on the residence itself. However, some of these may not include any valuables you have within the home if tragedy were to strike. Break-ins, natural disasters, and other circumstances could wipe your personal belongings off of the face of the Earth. Don’t assume your landlord’s policy will cover those expenses. Make sure you understand what kind of insurance you have or need when renting.
5. Wear and Tear - Many people can become confused on the principles behind “wear and tear.” Normal living can cause things like carpet replacement, door latch failure, and other items that could become faulty through regular use. Normally, you don’t have to pay for these. However, putting your fist through the wall isn’t considered normal wear and tear. Neither is cutting up your carpet in order to run speaker wire under it for your surround sound system.
This shouldn’t discourage you from renting. There is an ongoing debate on the freedoms of renting versus the responsibilities of owning. It boils down to personal preference. However, this doesn’t give you the right to knock down walls because you feel the room becomes brighter in the aftermath. Keep in mind that the owner has to pay for any damages you produce and it could wind up taking your paycheck if the court order you to reimburse him or her. It’s a shocking reality when you get your check and there is an automatic garnishment attached.
This article is contributed by Madoline Hatter. Madoline is a freelance writer and blog junkie from ChangeOfAddressForm.com. You can reach her at: m.hatter12 @ gmail. com.
