Information and Tips all Renters Should Know

The following are some tips and information to help renters be prepared and protected when entering into a new rental agreement.

1. Have all paperwork ready to go

 To get a head start 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.

2. Carfully go over the Lease agreement

  Before you sign, know what you are signing and getting into. If you have to, have a lawyer look it over to protect yourself now and in the future.  

3. Get everything in writing.

   To avoid disputes or misunderstandings with your landlord, get everything in writing.  Also keep all correspondence and keep records of oral agreements.

4. Be sure to get repairs done in a timely manner.

 You have a right to live in a decent home and so many landlords tend to neglect certain issues like heating, water, and electricity; and clean, sanitary, and structurally safe premises. There are steps you can take to ensure your needs are met.

 5. Obtain renters' insurance.

  Renter's insurance is so vital to a renter's life. If the home burned down, the landlord's homeowners insurance would only pay for the rebuilding of the home and not the replacement of any of your personal items. Get them protected as well.

6. Protect your safety.

  Get to know the neighborhood and where and if it's safe. Get copies of Alabama's laws that require safety devices such as deadbolts and window locks, check out the property's vulnerability to intrusion by a criminal, and learn whether criminal incidents have already occurred on the property or nearby.

7. Know how to Deal with an eviction properly. 

   Know when to fight an eviction notice and when to move. If you think the landlord is clearly is the wrong (for example, you haven't received proper notice, the premises are uninhabitable), you may want to fight the eviction. But unless you have the law and provable facts on your side, fighting an eviction notice can be short-sighted. Losing a lawsuit can cost thousands and may just not be worth it. This can also damage your credit rating and your ability to rent from future landlords.

Let us know if you are interested in finding a home in the Daleville real estate area to rent. We can supply homes, townhomes and apartments in the area by local landlords.

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