Renting a home will give you freedom and flexibility. You don’t need to worry about the long-term commitment of buying a house.
However, it comes with its own set of responsibilities.
As a tenant, you need to have a clear understanding of your rental responsibilities. Your landlord is expecting that as well.
Read this guide, and we will help you to refresh your knowledge on the rental responsibilities you hold.
How to Document Your Apartment’s Condition When You Move In
Your very first day in the new rental home will usually be busy. You have to unpack your belongings, arrange furniture, and even learn how everything works.
This is why you need to take it as an opportunity to document the condition of your apartment. Here’s how you can do it.
Do a slow walk-through
You can start off by walking through every room at the rental home. It is better to do this before bringing boxes or furniture. Take a closer look at floors, walls, ceilings, doors, and windows.
You can also turn on lights, test faucets, and flush toilets. You need to take note of everything that is damaged or not working.
Take clear photos and short videos
With your phone, you can take photos of every room. It is better to take photos from different angles. The photos should carefully highlight issues such as peeling paint, carpet stains, and cracked tiles.
A quick video tour can help you see what the property looked like on the day you walked in.
Use a move-in checklist
Your landlord will usually provide you with a move-in inspection form or a checklist. If your landlord doesn’t provide one, you should create your own. In the checklist, you need to list every room in your property and every major item you have.
Make sure to indicate whether each item is in good or bad condition.
Share your notes with your landlord
You need to share all the notes that you take with the landlord. On top of that, you need to request an acknowledgement as well.
Behind every well-maintained rental in the city, there’s a team of skilled Atlanta property managers making it happen. If your rental unit has such good property managers, you will not encounter a lot of problems.
What Is Normal Wear and Tear After 2 Years? Tips for Renters
Understanding what is normal wear and tear after 2 years can help prevent disputes between landlords and tenants. Here’s a list of normal wear and tear that you can find after a couple of years:
- Slightly worn carpets in high-traffic areas
- Small nail holes caused by hanging pictures
- Light scuffs on walls from day-to-day living
- Faded paint
- Minor wear on appliances
You should also be aware of what is included under heavy wear and tear. Your landlord could possibly charge you for these damages.
- Large holes in the walls
- Broken doors or windows
- Deep stains in carpets
- Burn marks and pet damage
- Torn flooring
- Missing fixtures and damaged locks
- Mold caused by not reporting leaks
You need to understand what is considered heavy wear and tear. Along with that, here are some tips that you can follow to avoid disputes that such wear and tear can create.
Treat the space like your own
You need to act as if you own the rental property. This is where you should clean the spills right away and refrain from dragging furniture across the floors. You may also use felt pads under chair and table legs.
Report issues early
When you see leaks, electrical problems, or broken items, you need to report them to the landlord as soon as possible. Then you can show that you are the type of person who takes responsibilities seriously.
Moreover, you can help prevent minor problems from becoming big repairs.
Avoiding Disputes Over Security Deposits
Security deposits are one of the most common sources of tension between landlords and tenants. A security deposit is money you pay at the start of your lease.
It will protect the landlord in the event of unpaid rent, major damage, or extensive cleaning needs.
Your landlord will return the security deposit at the end of your lease. Here are some tips that you can follow to avoid disputes over security deposits.
Understand the terms of your lease
You should carefully go through the terms of your lease before signing. This is where you will find information related to the security deposit.
It will clearly outline the amount, the conditions for a refund, and when you will receive it back.
Keep records of rent and repairs
It is important to save proof of every rent payment you make. You will also need to keep copies of emails or messages for the repair requests you make as well.
They will verify that you paid your rent on time and raised issues in a timely manner.
Give proper notice before moving out
Your lease contract will outline how much notice you need to give when moving out. It is usually 30 days or 60 days. After that, you need to serve your notice on the landlord on time.
Otherwise, you may not get the full security deposit back from the landlord.
Clean before you leave
You should also do a cleanup before moving out. This is where you need to wipe down surfaces, scrub the bathroom, and vacuum the floors. Make sure not to leave any trash behind. If there are any tiny nail holes, you need to patch them.
Do a move-out walk-through
When possible, ask your landlord to walk through the apartment with you before you hand over the keys.
During this walk-through, you can discuss any issues and even fix small things on the spot. Take new photos so you have “before” and “after” records.
Final Words
Every renter holds a set of responsibilities. Understanding these responsibilities can help you protect your wallet.
That’s why you need to carefully review the rental agreement and ensure you fulfill your responsibilities during your stay.