HOW MUCH CAN YOUR LANDLORD CHARGE YOU FOR YOUR SECURITY DEPOSIT

•Lease Up Here s How To Leave
Lease Up? Here's How To Leave   by dan the roommate man When leases end, landlords typically continue to rent the home or apartment on a month to month basis until one of the parties indicates otherwise. If you want to end the lease and you want to keep most of your security deposit, you will need to make the transition easy on your landlord.Let Your Landlord Know Your're Leaving: Just because you know you're planning to move at the end of the month doesn't mean your landlord does! Look at...

•MOVING INTO YOUR FIRST APARTMENT KNOW ALL THE COSTS
by dan the roommate manWhen you move in to a new apartment, the landlord may charge you more than the first month's rent. Before you sign the lease, make sure you understand exactly what you're going to be charged, and get it in writing.Security Deposit: This is mini-landlord insurance. The deposit is equivalent to about one to two month's rent and can cover anything from a broken window to stained carpet. At the end of your lease, the landlord will conduct an inspection and see whether or...

•WHAT A LANDLORD MUST THINK ABOUT BEFORE HE ALLOWS PETS
by dan the roommate manPeople always ask what kind of deposit does a landlord request if the tenant has a pet. There is no set amount or set rules to determine how much because every situation is different. The size of the dog, the breed of the dog all this goes into determining the amount of the deposit.A landlord must consider his other tenants and neighbors before he decides to allow pets into his rental property. All of the following applies:* Will the owner be responsible and clean up...

•WHAT DOES THE TERM LAST MONTH S RENT REALLY MEAN
WHAT DOES THE TERM LAST MONTH'S RENT REALLY MEAN?   by dan the roommate manQUESTION:After fives years in a rental house, I have been given a 30 day notice to vacate the premises. This was done mid-month after I paid and the property manager cashed my check for the current month of rent. I also paid last month rent when I initially rented this place, plus a security deposit. Since I have paid and the property manager has accepted rent for the next 45 days, is it still possible to be given the...

•HOW SAFE IS YOUR SECURITY DEPOSIT
HOW SAFE IS YOUR SECURITY DEPOSIT?   by dan the roommate manWhen you move into an apartment, you and your landlord have to have a lot of blind faith for each other. You could be Mr. Nice Guy, or Mr. I'm Going To Throw Parties Here Every Night Guy.Tenants are usually not into maintenance, therefore they aren't as careful with their rented property as they would be if they owned it. They also tend to see maintenance as the landlord's job. So, in order to assure the landlord that any damages made...

•HOW TO CHANGE ROOMMATES OR NAMES ON
by dan the roommate manSteps:1. Ask permission to change roommates or names on a lease by submitting a written request to your landlord.2. Include some background information on your prospective roommate, such as employment status and rental history, in your written request to the landlord.3. Obtain a rental application for your prospective roommate if the landlord agrees to your request.4. Realize that your landlord will probably require you and your new roommate to sign a new lease or...

•What Are The Responsibilities of a Tenant
What Are The Responsibilities of a Tenant?   by dan the roommate mans a tenant, you have many advantages over homeowners... you don't have to mow the lawn, or paint the house, or repave the driveway. It may seem like you haven't any responsibilities above and beyond getting the rent check in on time... but you do.Through the landlord-tenant laws, you are required to do several things:# Keep your apartment or house safe and sanitary.# Dispose of trash and garbage in a sanitary manner. While...

•WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN YOU INSPECT YOUR APARTMENT
by dan the roommate manMOVE-IN DAYYour landlord will give you or should give you a move-in inspection sheet on the day that you take possess of your new apartment. It is very important that you take about 30 minutes and do an inspection of your new home before you move-in. Indicate on the move-in condition sheet any pre-existing damage i.e. spots on the carpet, wall damage, the general condition of the appliances.Promptly return your completed form to the landlord and be sure to sign and date...

•HOW LONG DOES THE LANDLORD HAVE BEFORE HE HAS TO RETURN YOUR DEPOSIT
HOW LONG DOES THE LANDLORD HAVE BEFORE HE HAS TO RETURN YOUR DEPOSIT?   by dan the roommate manHere's the amount of time landlords have to return a tenant's security deposit after the tenant leaves. For details on your state's specific procedures for returning security deposits, see your state's landlord-tenant statutes.State Deadline for Returning Security DepositAlabama No statutory deadlineAlaska 14 days if the tenant gives proper notice to terminatetenancy; 30 days if the tenant does not...

•8 THINGS TO DO WHEN YOUR LEASE IS UP
by dan the roommate manWhen planning to move out of your apartment there are certain obligations that you have to your landlord.1. GIVE WRITTEN NOTICE - Generally a 30 day notice is required but check your lease as some counties allow for a 60 day notice.2. GIVE NOTICE ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH - This can be tricky so be careful. In some cases if you give your notice even a day late you can end up paying for an extra month's rent. Find out what your landlord's policy is.3. YOU MUST GIVE...