Free-Rentals Vacation Rentals

When sharing an apartment with a friend, be sure you understand the risks in case the living situation does not work out. Often, renters mistakenly believe they can move out whenever they want, choose another renter to take their place, and get their security deposit back immediately.
 
          However, a rental agreement is a binding contract. You and your roommate are equally responsible for meeting all terms and conditions. If you decide to move out before the end of the tenancy, you remain legally responsible for the rent. If any portion is unpaid, both you and your roommate may be subject to legal action.
 
          Even though someone you know is willing to take your place, the property manager makes the final decision. The manager should follow the normal application process, which includes reviewing credit and rental histories.
 
          If your roommate stays after you move out, the manager may retain the entire security deposit, including your share of it, until the tenancy ends. Your best bet is to work with your manager, former roommate and any new roommate to remove your name from all rental documents and obtain your share of the security deposit.

  If you are a renter, you should consider obtaining renters insurance to insure your personal property. You may be surprised by the cost of replacing your belongings as a result of an unfortunate accident. The value of your furniture, televisions, stereo equipment, computers, clothing and jewelry can easily add up to several thousand dollars.
 
         Many renters mistakenly believe their property owner or manager is responsible for replacing any personal property that may be damaged or lost due to fire, theft, water damage or some other catastrophe. However, accidents such as these often are caused by renters. Common accidents are fires caused by stoves or lit cigarettes left unattended. Unless the property owner or manager is somehow responsible for the incident, you will have to pay the cost of replacing your belongings, which is why insurance is so important.
 
         Even if other renters cause the accident, it may be difficult to collect any restitution since they may not have insurance or the financial resources to cover your losses. Likewise, if you cause the accident, you may have trouble paying for other renters possessions unless you have insurance.
 
         To find out more information about renters insurance or obtain a quote, check the yellow pages or search for companies and information on the Internet. When shopping for insurance, dont hesitate to ask as many questions as necessary until you feel comfortable with your final decision.
 
         Besides the premium or cost of the insurance, there are other important factors to consider, such as the maximum payments by the insurance carrier on claims, the deductible or reduction from such payments, and any exclusions or limitations of the coverage. Your policy also should include coverage for any personal injuries that may occur in your rental.
 
         Whether you have insurance coverage or not, it is a good idea to make a list of all of your personal possessions as well as take photographs of them. Give this information to a relative, friend or other reliable party for safekeeping. You do not want it to go up in smoke in case of fire in your rental.  

  Finding the right place to rent is an important decision. If you are renting for the first time, the ordeal may seem overwhelming. You probably have a lot of questions and may not know where to obtain the correct answers.
 
         To help first-time renters through this process, the California Apartment Association (CAA) is distributing a free, 16-page pamphlet entitled Renting: A User Manual. The pamphlet offers tips on finding a place to rent, suggests questions to ask when applying, and describes the forms and terms used during the process of renting.
 
         Free distribution of this useful resource is part of a statewide consumer education campaign led by CAA and its local chapters, including the Rental Housing Association of Sacramento Valley. The goal of the campaign is to help renters understand the process of renting a place to live as well as their rights and responsibilities.
 
         A free copy of the colorful brochure is available through a variety of sources. Renters can view the brochure on the CAA web site at www.caanet.org in the Residents section. The brochure can be printed directly from this web site.
 
         The brochure may be obtained from the Rental Housing Association of Sacramento Valley by calling (916) 920-1120, emailing your request to info@rha.org, or visiting the RHA office located at 201 Lathrop Way, Suite C, in Sacramento.

  The cost of renting is primarily affected by supply and demand. When there are more renters competing for a limited number of rental units, rents typically rise. On the other hand, when there are more vacancies than the supply of qualified applicants, rents usually drop.
 
         Currently, the rental market in the Sacramento Valley region seems to be heading in the direction of stable rents. One indicator of the changing rental market is the growing number of €œfor rent€? signs around town. Another indicator is an increase in the move-in incentives offered to renters. Although one month of free rent or lower security deposits are common move-in specials, some apartment communities are offering a free DVD player and even a chance to win a trip to Europe.
 
         One reason for the change is the large number of renters who took advantage of low interest rates and bought their first home. That reduced the number of renters in the market, and the slow economy and lack of significant job growth in our area has not yet replenished the supply of renters. The current competition for renters is forcing rental owners to lower rents and offer incentives.
 
         All of this is good news for renters. If you are new to the area or renting for the first time, take advantage of the incentives available to you. By signing a long-term lease for six months or one year, you may receive one month of free rent (usually the last month of your lease).
 
         For existing renters, if your lease is up or you are renting month-to-month, you may be considering a move to someplace with lower rent, or looking for more space for the same price you are paying now. However, before you make such a move, contact your current property manager or owner. If you are a good renter, they may offer to lower your rent or perhaps install new carpeting. In times likes these, they know that finding a replacement for a good renter might take awhile.

 When you apply to rent a place to live, you probably will be asked to pay an application fee.  By law, the maximum fee that can be charged is about $34 per adult over the age of 18.  This amount is based upon a state law that limits the fee to $30 plus annual adjustments of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) since 1998.
 
          The amount of the application fee charged by rental owners and property management companies varies.  The typical fee is $30, but many owners and managers charge less or nothing at all.
 
          The purpose of the fee is to cover the cost of obtaining and reviewing information regarding your credit history, employment, previous rental experience and other data relevant to assessing your ability to meet the particular renter criteria for the property you wish to rent.
 
          If your application to rent is denied based upon your credit history, the rental owner or manager is required by law to provide such notice in writing, including specific information regarding your rights regarding the accuracy of the credit data.  If you encounter rental owners or managers who are unfamiliar with this requirement, refer them to the local rental housing association or an experienced landlord-tenant attorney.

  When rental owners are considering your application, they place a lot of importance on references from the owner or manager of your previous rental. Therefore, your rental history is as important as your credit history.
            To see if you have a good rental history, ask yourself the same questions that most rental owners ask during the reference process. Although there isnt a standard set of questions that one rental owner asks another, here are the most common ones:

Nowadays, apartments and rental homes include many major appliances for the convenience of renters. Common appliances found in a typical rental include a range, oven, microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher and perhaps a washer and dryer. When any one of these appliances stops working, it can cause an inconvenience.
 
         Keeping these appliances in working condition is the responsibility of your property manager. However, you could be held liable for the cost of any repair or replacement if the problem was caused by your misuse or negligence.
 
         Here are some tips to avoid the most common problems with appliances. Clean them regularly. For instance, many range tops can be lifted up so you can clean the grease and food particles under the burners.
 
         Use appliances only as intended. Do not use dye in the washing machine because it will bleed onto future loads of clothing. Remove the lint from the lint trap in your dryer after every load. This will dry your clothes faster and prolong the life of the appliance. Do not put metal objects in a microwave because they will cause electrical arcs and damage the unit.
 
         If you have any questions regarding the use or problems with any appliance, contact your property manager. Your property manager would be wise to provide simple written instructions on how to use your appliances and respond to any maintenance concerns promptly.

  Keeping pests, such as ants and roaches, out of your rental unit requires teamwork between you and your property manager. Many property managers contract with a professional pest control service to apply pesticides to the exterior of your rental unit.
 
            However, when you discover these pests inside your unit, try to determine the cause of the problem before contacting your property manager. You unwittingly may be offering a banquet to hundreds of little free-loaders. If you caused the problem, you may be charged for any additional costs of pest control.
 
            The most common cause of a pest infestation is food left out on counters, improperly stored in cupboards, or placed in open trash cans for too long. Fortunately, the solutions are simple. Store leftovers promptly. Food placed in cupboards, especially sugar and other sweets, should be in airtight containers. Throw out trash daily, preferably at the end of the day. Use a trash container with a lid, but avoid putting it inside a dark cabinet, such as under the sink.
 
            In addition, avoid leaving wet or dry pet food dishes on the floor all day and night because they attract ants. To discourage cockroaches, put wet garbage down the garbage disposal rather than in an open trash container. Refrain from storing stacks of grocery bags or newspapers that attract silverfish.
 
            Once inside, pests migrate quickly. In apartment communities, they spread from one unit to another. By keeping your apartment free of pests, you are doing your neighbor a favor, too.

   If you have any type of pet, be sure to ask your rental manager about the pet policy for the property. Concealing that you have a pet or obtaining a pet at a later date without permission is a bad idea. It may result in your eviction for breaking the terms of the rental contract.  In addition, even if you find another home for the pet to avoid an eviction, you likely will be liable for the costs to clean and treat the carpet and repair any other damage.

 When sharing a rental with one or more roommates, make certain that everyone understands how to handle the payment of rent. Trouble begins when one roommate cannot pay his or her portion. 
 
          You and your roommates must understand that everyone included in the rental agreement or lease is equally liable for payment of the entire rent, not just their own share. If any portion of the rent is late, everyone is subject to any late fee.  If the rent remains unpaid, everyone may be evicted.
 
          That is the case even if you are willing to pay your share of the rent. Since property managers are not required to accept partial payments of the rent, most do not. Doing so would create confusion since a property manager cannot evict just one of the tenants for non-payment of rent. Therefore, if you try to pay your share of the rent, it probably will be rejected.
 
          Property managers should carefully evaluate prospective renters ability to pay the rent before renting to them. Likewise, you should carefully consider your roommates ability to pay before deciding to share a rental. Your best friend will not make your best roommate if he or she has trouble paying the rent. Unfortunately, many good relationships end when money gets tight.