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Homeowner's personal property insurance covers the contents within a house. Learn about homeowner's personal property insurance with help from a longtime insurance broker in this free video clip.
Breaking a lease requires you to use some very specific negotiating tactics. Learn about negotiating tactics to use when breaking a lease with help from a licensed realtor in this free video clip.
You typically need to meet certain criteria to qualify for a cheap apartment. Learn how to qualify for a cheap apartment with help from a licensed realtor in this free video clip.
The landlord or owner of a property occupied by a technology guild may qualify for a variety of grants to improve and maintain the property, especially if the tenant is a nonprofit organization registered under Section 501(c)(3). A guild is defined as an association of people who pursue a common goal or have a common interest and is usually registered as a nonprofit. Federal and state grants exist for various initiatives, such as the installation of renewable energy in a commercial building or renovations to historic premises.
Breaking your leasing contracts for an apartment is something you have to do in a very specific way. Learn about the legal rights to break leasing contracts for an apartment with help from a licensed attorney who specializes in financial information in this free video clip.
When you enter a lease agreement, not only must you pay rent, but you may also need to pay a security deposit. The security deposit serves as collateral in the case that you owe the renter money once you move off the premises. A renter can also be referred to as a landlord. If the landlord does not need the collateral, he must return the security deposit to you within a certain period time. This period of time varies by state.
Buying a rental property and investing in a REIT are two things that have both their advantages and disadvantages. Learn about buying rental property versus investing in a REIT with help from a real estate professional in this free video clip.
Ceiling leaks can be a long-term frustrating issue in apartment living. Often caused by faulty plumbing in other apartments, leaks can stem from a number of other sources and have multiple causes as well. Learn about the causes of apartment leaks so that you and other tenants can work more effectively with your landlord to solve the problem.
A landlord has a responsibility to ensure that tenants do not cause excessive noise and disturb the neighbors. Most rental agreements for residential and commercial properties contain a clause titled “quiet enjoyment.” Under this clause, tenants have the right to occupy a rental property free of external disturbances. In turn, tenants have to respect the same rights of other tenants, and it is the landlord’s duty is to implement the clause effectively. Landlords have the right to ask tenants to be silent if the noise level is excessive.
When a tenant enters into a lease, he is often required to provide a security deposit. This down payment is held by the landlord to pay for future repairs to fix damage in excess of normal wear and tear caused by the tenant. The amount left over is returned to the tenant when the lease ends. The District of Columbia, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania require landlords to keep security deposits in an escrow account. The allows the tenant to deposit money for the landlord in a way that ensures the appropriate amount is returned at the end of the lease. If…
Even if you have found the apartment of your dreams, a rude roommate can ruin everything. You may find that you are kept up at all hours of the night or that you are constantly surrounded by his mess. Instead of suffering through the term of your lease, consider how to get out of it instead. While leases are legally binding, there are circumstances that allow you to get out of them. Examine your options and see how you can get into a better place, both physically and mentally.
The law that governs landlord-tenant relations In the Commonwealth of Virginia is the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. If you’ve given your landlord a 30-day notice or your landlord issues you a 30-day notice, he has the right to show the property to prospective renters or buyers as well as to other specific individuals, provided that certain conditions are met.
Floor burnishing polishes floors to a high gloss. It's usually done in commercial and institutional establishments with large floor areas that get a lot of traffic. You can burnish floors in your home as well if you want them to have a bright, clean shine that you can't get with buffing.
You have a right to peace and quiet in your apartment. If you have neighbors who play loud music that encroaches on your living space, you have the right to complain and have the music stopped. The law is on your side. To stop the noise, you will need to follow a series of steps to show you've made a good faith effort to address the problem. By doing this, you can justify the more severe actions you must take if your early actions do not work.
A rent-to-own home is a lease agreement with an option to buy. The procedure involved in entering into such an agreement is a combination of the rental and home purchase processes. In a rent-to-own situation, you as the buyer have more power to negotiate payment terms with the property owner, allowing you more freedom in your decision to make a purchase decision at the end of your lease.
Tenants have a wide variety needs that the landlord will have to meet. Learn how to deal with complaining tenants with help from a licensed attorney and licensed California real estate broker in this free video clip.
Not every tenant is going to be a perfect resident. Deal with a lousy tenant with help from a licensed attorney and licensed California real estate broker in this free video clip.
If a tenant breaks a lease you can sue them, so long as certain conditions are met. Sue a tenant for breaking a lease with help from a licensed attorney and licensed California real estate broker in this free video clip.
Certain landlords will deduct painting fees from your rental security deposit. Learn whether the landlord can deduct these painting fees with help from a licensed attorney and licensed California real estate broker in this free video clip.
Earwigs get their name from the erroneous old belief that these insects burrow into the brain through the ears. Although earwigs are harmless to humans, they could damage your plants and eat your food if they make their way into your apartment. An earwig infestation is not a sign of uncleanliness, but thoroughly cleaning and searching the apartment can help you determine how earwigs are getting into your home in the first place.
A prospective tenant might sign a lease and change her mind about living in the rental home. After a tenant and a landlord have signed a written lease, the terms of their agreement often determine what happens if either party needs to back out of the arrangement. Breaking the lease may affect the tenant's right to reclaim a deposit or result in other financial and legal consequences under Texas landlord-tenant laws.
Clean, plush carpeting is a joy to walk on, but when it gets soiled or matted, it can make even a beautifully furnished room look worn. Carpeting often is a sticking point between tenants and landlords; most renters want worn or stained carpeting replaced, but it may be cost-prohibitive for the landlord. If you're a good tenant who takes care of the property, you stand a better chance of getting your carpeting replaced if you effectively communicate with the landlord.
Written leases become effective and legally binding upon execution. Once both parties to a lease agreement -- a landlord and tenant -- sign a lease, the lease becomes duly binding absent fraud, duress or mistake. In other words, absent extenuating circumstances, a tenant has a legal obligation to comply with the lease. If you have a justifiable reason for terminating your lease before possession, you may be able to break or end your lease without further liability for remaining rent.
Being a landlord has its challenges. If you properly screen tenants, they are more likely to pay rent on time and take good care of the rental unit. Is some cases, however, tenants experience financial setbacks that make it difficult to meet rent obligations. If you are a landlord and your tenant owes you a payment, there are several courses of action you can take to recover the payment, including legal methods that enable you to reclaim control of the property.
The Internal Revenue Service considers the sale of capital assets, including rental houses, as a taxable event for the seller. Rental home sellers will owe capital gains on their earnings if they turn a profit from the sale. They will incur a capital loss if they lose money when they sell. Rental home owners should carefully consider the tax implications of selling their properties in order to maximize the tax benefits of capital losses and minimize their tax obligations.
A rental lease is advantageous to both landlord and tenant. It provides the security of rental income for the homeowner and a guaranteed place to live for the tenant, as long as all clauses of the lease are followed. Although a lease is a binding contract and you can't merely wake up one day and decide to move to a new place, there can be instances when the lease must broken for valid reasons, such as relocating for a new job.
If the home or apartment of your dreams has turned into a bona fide real estate nightmare and you are simply renting, then you may be wondering whether or not you can break your lease. This can be tricky because Florida landlord-tenant law has some very definitive rules on the binding nature of a lease, though there may be some ways to get out of the contract without incurring a penalty.
A wall can be a great way to divide up space in an apartment, particularly if you want to add an extra room or divide the kitchen from the living room. However, building a full-fledged wall in an apartment is ill advised and quite possibly in violation of your lease. You may build a temporary wall to get around this, one that is fairly simple to construct and that can serve as a temporary divider in your smaller space. Constructing a temporary wall will require some basic carpentry skills and tools.
Some unscrupulous landlords have been known to keep deposits that rightfully belong to their former tenants. These landlords will rattle off a list of reasons why they should keep the deposit, in hopes that the former tenant will just give up and leave him the money. If you believe that you have a legitimate right to your deposit, it's worth the trouble to fight for it.
Every state has its own terms for evicting renters. In South Carolina, a landlord must meet basic rules before he is allowed to ask a tenant to move out. Knowing your rights, as either a renter or a landlord, helps create a smoother living situation and helps protect either your rental terms or your property. Certain specific terms allow landlords to evict renters in South Carolina.
California landlords must comply with the California Property Code. The code establishes the respective rights between California landlords and tenants. California tenants who become unemployed have a continuing obligation to remit their rent payments in a timely manner, and unemployment is not a justifiable reason for an early lease termination. If you become unemployed during your tenancy, you may be required to continue paying your rent and may not have a justifiable legal excuse to prematurely terminate your lease.
One of the responsibilities that come with moving to a new home is changing your address at the post office. You can accomplish the task using a special postcard available through your mail carrier as well. Not every tenant takes care of this errand before leaving town, however. The new tenant is thus left to handle the piles of mail left behind by the previous occupant. Fortunately, there are a few options available for handling the mail that a previous tenant left behind.
Many homeowners find themselves wishing for a new home, whether downsizing because of the children moving out or seeking a larger home for a growing family. Decreases in home values might prompt the need for homeowners to consider renting out their current home rather than selling it before purchasing a new home. Establishing a home as a rental property while searching for a new residence to purchase can be accomplished with careful coordination and financial planning.
A lease is a written, legal agreement between a tenant and a property owner. The lease should clearly state the duties and obligations both parties have, including the conditions under which the lease may be deemed null and void. As a rule, losing a roommate, becoming unemployed or accepting a job in another city are not grounds for a tenant to terminate a lease. Although a tenant may request to be let out of a lease, the landlord does not have to allow early termination under Georgia law except in a few, limited circumstances.
Squatters occupy a property without permission. Many properties in foreclosure or that are unable to sell through foreclosure auction are abandoned and thus susceptible to squatters. If you purchase, own or become the landlord of a property occupied by squatters, they can be thrown out, or evicted. Some states have laws concerning squatters' rights and the process to evict them.
Landlords often ask prospective tenants for references from employers or previous landlords. Many tenants become nervous when they are asked for references because they imagine that the landlord is conducting an intense investigation of their employment, their finances or even their lifestyle. While a landlord may be interested in your financial and employment situation, she is usually not interested in conducting a full-scale inquiry into your life. Rather, she just wants to ensure that you will be a good tenant.
Between 2005 and 2009, 5.73 percent of insured homes were the subject of claims filed against homeowners insurance policies, with losses averaging $7,876 over the six-year period, according to the Insurance Information Institute. You may have bought your homeowners or rental policy years ago and think you're covered if your personal property is damaged in a disaster, such as a home fire, or stolen by burglars. However, when it’s time to file a claim or collect on the policy you have had for years, you may discover that you haven’t been paying for what you thought and it’s too late…
Most people’s first place of residence after they move from their parents’ house is an apartment or dorm. After saving enough money to make a down payment on a house, the decision to continue renting or purchasing a home becomes a realistic choice. While the initial costs of owning a home may seem overwhelming, many benefits come with home ownership, even lower expenses in comparison to renting.
While prospective tenants should inspect a potential property before choosing to rent, sometimes safety hazards remain concealed or appear after the lease is signed. In most parts of the country — Arkansas and Colorado are the only exceptions — renters are fully protected by laws that guarantee the right to break a lease if the property is not safe to live in. When faced with problems that could potentially render a house or apartment uninhabitable, tenants must take steps in order to break a lease legally.
Rental homes allow renters an opportunity to live in a larger residence, with options for yard space for children or dogs, even though the family doesn't have the down payment to buy a home. The strength of the rental market depends on a number of factors, including the availability of rentals in the region and the mortgage interest rate for investment purchases. With the exceptions of major urban centers such as San Francisco and New York City, the amount for rent for homes varies widely during the year and with the geographic rental region.
Depreciation is a tax process that allows you to recover the costs of your investment in rental property over time. As a landlord, you can depreciate many of the expenses you incur as a result of owning rental property. By depreciating expenses, you will reduce your tax burden for many years and increase your profits from your rental property.
A lease agreement is the basis for the majority of relationships between landlord and tenant. The language in this agreement dictates what constitutes a breach of the lease, and may also define the rights of the tenant and landlord if either party wishes to break a lease. A breach of a lease involves the tenant or landlord failing to fulfill his obligations per the lease agreement. Breaking the lease refers to ending this agreement. In most cases, neither the landlord nor tenant can opt to break a lease without some liabilities.
Rental property ownership can open the door for individuals to claim a number of valuable tax deductions each year. For example, costs to operate rental property like insurance and interest expenses on a mortgage are fully deductible. However, one of the most beneficial deductions for rental owners is the ability to write off depreciation expenses.
Owing your landlord rent can cause an uphill legal battle. Landlords create lease agreements to ensue that they receive a certain amount from tenants each month, but occasionally, a tenant will ignore a lease agreement and walk away from the lease early. Breaching a rental lease gives landlords the right to prosecute for unpaid rent.
Renting out a home or an apartment may be a lucrative investment for a property owner, but being a landlord does require some administrative work. Unless landlords hire a management company, they will spend a portion of their time on collecting rents, deposits and maintaining the property. When multiple renters occupy a dwelling, the administrative part of a landlord’s duties increase. Multiple tenants on a lease can potentially lead to problems when someone decides to leave. Planning ahead and addressing these issues in the lease can provide a smoother transition when tenants leave.
If you're renting a home, there's always a chance the owner might sell it. If this occurs, the homeowner is required to give you notice of the sale in most states; this is true of rental homes and apartments. If your state doesn't require the homeowner to notify you of a pending sale, you're typically entitled to a notice of a rent increase or lease termination.
If you have an immediate interest in buying a home in Georgia, you may opt for a short-term rental until you find your dream home. However, you may already be locked into a long lease when you close on a new home. When this happens, you can take steps to break the lease, but you may not be able to do so without penalty. Breaking the lease generally allows you to avoid making rental payments when you are living in your new home.
As a landlord, you likely require your tenants to pay a security deposit at the beginning of a lease period. This deposit covers any damage done to your property while the tenants live there that was their fault. At the end of the lease period, you must return any unused funds from the deposit to the tenants. In the meantime, you should put the money into a bank account, though it is important you choose the right type of account to keep the finances in order.
Often, when a lease agreement ends, the tenant wants to stay in the rental property. Landlord and tenant laws may require a landlord to renew a lease agreement for a responsible tenant, but state laws typically allow the landlord to decide if he wants to renew the lease. The landlord also has the option to change the terms of the lease.
A deed in lieu of foreclosure is a document the owner of a property gives to his lender releasing his interest in the property. The result is the same as a foreclosure, except the legal action does not take four months. The property transfers to the lender as soon as the deed records. If you are a tenant in the property, you have new rights under the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act enacted in 2009.
