Basics of Property Management: Screening Potential Tenants

Answering Questions About Common Issues With Apartment Rentals

17 June 2015

Jesse Obrien

There are many people that underestimate the complexity of renting an apartment until they have already encountered major problems. However, it is important to note that these are legally binding contracts, and as a result, disputes, problems or conflicts with these agreements can spell major problems for you. In particular, there are some questions that individuals may need answered to help enhance their understandings of these contracts. 

Are You Responsible For The Full Cost Of The Lease If You Need To Move Early?

When you sign a lease, you are likely expecting to stay at the property for the entirety of the contract, but life can throw changes at you that you were not expecting. In these instances, you may have no choice other than to move to a new home. However, this can present problems when it comes to getting out of your lease. 

Some people may assume that every lease will require them to pay for the full value of the contract in order to terminate the agreement. While there are many lease agreements that are constructed in this manner, some include more friendly options. For example, some leases will allow individuals to terminate the contract by paying a flat fee as opposed to the total value of the lease at the time you need to break it. In order to enjoy these protections, you must make sure that your lease contains them before you sign it, and this is another reason why it is important to carefully review these documents before you sign them. 

What Can Be Done About Disputed Damages?

At the end of your lease, the landlord or property manager will want to walk with you through the apartment to make sure that there are no additional damages done to it. Sadly, this can result in some disputed about whether damage was preexisting or occurs during the time you occupied the building. 

Luckily, there is a simple way that you can save both you and your landlord a lot of trouble if these disputes arise. By taking pictures of every room in the apartment before you move into it, you can create a record of the condition of the unit the day that you took it over. When taking these pictures, you want to make sure that they are clearly dated to make sure that there is no dispute over when they were taken. 

Renting an apartment is an essential but complicated task to go through. As a result, some people make mistakes that can cause major issues later. By understanding your options for terminating the lease before signing it and taking pictures of your unit before you occupy it, it may be possible to avoid some potentially serious issues that can arise when renting an apartment. For more information, contact agencies like Kimball Real Estate. 

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