Those who live in a rental property may have questions regarding how they should care for their domicile. While treating the property with respect and not intentionally doing damage to the property should be understood there are other gray areas where renters may not be sure what their rights and responsibilities are in the rental situation. In most of these cases, these questions can be resolved by carefully reviewing the rental agreement. This can provide the renter a great deal of insight regarding which items will be corrected by the leasing agent and which items are the responsibilities of the renter.
Treat the Property Like it Is Your Home
The heading to this subsection is certainly appropriate in theory but in reality it may not be true. The theory behind treating a rental property like it is your home is that you should treat the rental property in the same way you would treat your own home. This means the renter should not intentionally damage or otherwise neglect the rental property. It also implies that the renter should care for the rental property by making necessary repairs as they arise.
However, the reality of this heading is not true because renters are often not free to treat a rental property like it was their home. Homeowners are free to make modifications at any time to their property. Renters do not have this option and are only allowed to make modifications which are permitted by the contract agreement. These permissible modifications are usually rather insignificant in nature.
Seek Assistance from the Property Manager When Warranted
Renters should also seek assistance from the property manager when there are repairs which fall under the jurisdiction of the property owner or manager. Such repairs might include items such as unclogging drains, fixing appliances and making modifications to the residence such as installing lighting features. Although the renter may be capable of performing some or all of these actions, the rental agreement may specify these items are the responsibility of the property owner or manager. Renters who attempt to fix these items may be held liable for damages which occur during these attempts.
Similarly, the rental agreement may imply, by omission, that certain items are the responsibility of the renter. These may be small items such as changing light bulbs or similar items. In these cases the renter is free to make the adjustments. However, in other situations where the rental agreement specifies the apartment manager will handle certain complaints, these complaints should be called to the attention of management.
When the Property Manager Isn't Doing His Job
Renters may encounter a problem where the apartment manager is not being responsive to his complaints and is not addressing situations which are brought to his attention. When this occurs the renter may have no choice but to bring this to the attention of the property manager's supervisor. When a property manager is required to make certain repairs and address certain issues and fails to do so, he is creating a hazard for the members of the community. This is why the renter should not allow these transgressions to occur. The renter should also not be fearful of retaliation by the property manager because the contract will likely specify the renter's rights to complain to a higher authority about the quality of service they are receiving.
Latest Real Estate Articles
Small is Beautiful
By: Carol Freyer | 06/10/2008
One major bonus of Shafer's homes is the low cost of heating. Heated with propane, his own home—a smaller model—costs him $170 per year to heat, and that's in Iowa, where winters are winters. Plus, a smaller home requires less maintenance. Everything is smaller and therefore the amount of work to be done is less: less to dust, less to vacuum.
Realty Remodeling Rules
By: Carol Freyer | 06/10/2008
If you are living in a lower price area and put in a swimming pool and an outdoor kitchen before you list your house, it will most certainly bring the buyers to your home. It will no doubt bring in offers for your home and all this is good news.
Get Your Heating Bill Down
By: Carol Freyer | 06/10/2008
Some statistics say that as much as 80% of the hot air can be lost up the chimney. If that is added to the amount of cold air that is pulled from the atmosphere, then the old log fireplace could almost be said to be mainly a visual experience.
Astrology, Feng Shui, Magic Spells... and Selling Homes
By: Carol Freyer | 06/10/2008
Astrology has been used to divine the future since before the Common Era. Many people today view it as a harmless amusement. Move.com even has a section for "homestrology" profiles. Realty Times did an article entitled, "Look to the Stars for Decorating Advice", featuring astrologer John Marchesella, who claims that knowing your Sun Sign can help you choose colors for your home.
Americans Want Green Homes!
By: Carol Freyer | 06/10/2008
Heating takes a large chunk of our money during the winter months; have you thought of installing a wood stove with an outside chimney (the easiest to install)? The new stoves that leave almost no residual wood and are almost 'smokeless' are part of a grant scheme offered by some governments.
Real Estate in the Top 4 Louisiana Public School Districts
By: Andrew Stratton | 06/10/2008
Louisiana Public School Districts are great areas to live as they offer excellent school system, security, and lot of enjoyable activities. A realtor can help buyers make a good deal.
The R.E.I. Revolution On The Internet
By: Damian Lanfranchi | 06/10/2008
Understand it and thrive. Ignore it, get left behind. I want to make sure that you truly grasp how the internet is revolutionizing the Real Estate investing world. It's absolutely critical to the success of your business. It's something that a lot of the Real Estate investors and gurus are missing the boat on when it comes to their real estate investing website.
Cyprus Property is Hot! But is it Getting Too Crowded?
By: Steven Clarke | 06/10/2008
The recent interest in Cyprus property has initiated a housing boom on the island. It doesn't matter where you go on the island, you can often hear the sound of construction in the background. Developers are scooping up land at an alarming rate trying to keep pace with the growing...
More from David Riewe
Do Not Let The Furnishings Fool You
By: David Riewe | 29/03/2007 | Real Estate
Renters who are viewing apartment complexes are often led to furnished models which have been tastefully decorated. Although the furnishings in these model apartments are usually very aesthetically appealing they also usually serve another purpose as well. This other purpose is to make the room appear larger than it is....
How Much Apartment Can You Afford?
By: David Riewe | 29/03/2007 | Real Estate
Deciding how much apartment they can afford is one of the most important decisions a renter will have to make. This decision will help to determine a number of factors include the size and location of the potential apartment as well as the types of amenities offered. Those who are...
Decorating A Rental Apartment
By: David Riewe | 29/03/2007 | Real Estate
Those who live in a rental apartment are usually quite limited in the amount of decorating they are able to do. This can have the impact of making a rental apartment not quite feel like a real home. In many cases the rental apartment is painted a bright white and...
Dealing With Neighbors In An Apartment
By: David Riewe | 29/03/2007 | Real Estate
One of the major disadvantages to renting an apartment is the potential for conflict with the neighbors. While some renters may foster incredible relationships with all of their neighbors and never once have a disagreement with a neighbor this is not a likely scenario. Most renters experience at least one...
Consider The Amenities
By: David Riewe | 28/03/2007 | Real Estate
The amenities on a rental property can often be the deciding factor for many renters. The available amenities may make a less affordable property seem more appealing. Conversely a property which is more expensive may be considered worthwhile if the amenities offered are considered valuable enough to compensate for the...
Breaking A Lease On A Rental Agreement
By: David Riewe | 11/12/2006 | Real Estate
Most rental agreements have a section regarding the renter breaking the lease agreement. While there is also likely a section or several sections regarding when the leasing agent can evict the renter, the section on breaking the lease should be of particular interest to those who might be in a...
Benefits Of Renting
By: David Riewe | 11/12/2006 | Real Estate
While there are some renters who view renting an apartment or a house as a failure, there are others who see the benefits there are to be gained from renting a property as opposed to purchasing a property. Some of the benefits of renting include the ability to save money...
Before Renting An Apartment
By: David Riewe | 11/12/2006 | Real Estate
Renting an apartment is a very serious decision which warrants a great deal of attention before a final decision is made. When choosing an apartment to rent, renters have a variety of factors to consider including, but not limited to, price, size, location, amenities, whether or not they want a...
Finance 
