Renting A House, Anything I Need To Know?
 

Some people who rent houses are weirdos. If you are renting from a company you are probably allright. Otherwise the person you are renting to might think that he can come onto the property whenever he wants and even store stuff there. They don't always understand renters rights.

Read the lease more carefully. (not that you should never read one carefully)

If it's a house it's more likely that the owner may just be renting it while he's trying to sell it. So check carefully for termination conditions. Sometime they try to slide something by you.

Originally posted by Patroklos
As for storing stuff, the house was fine but they did have a lot of stuff in the detached garage. They said they would get rid of it when I asked though. Make sure it's gone before you sign the lease. And make sure they never try to store one little thing there.

Originally posted by Patroklos
Sounds like you might have encountered this problem before http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/wink.gif I have a couple of friends who did. It can get pretty bad.

Originally posted by Patroklos
Maybe if I start pawning the stuff they bring over I can make enough to pay the rent. Sounds like a good system http://www.discussworldissues.com/im...ons/icon14.gif That's brilliant. Also, I would keep it on a very business level. There's lonely old people out there, and they can be very bothersome. The last thing you want to do is rent a house from them. That's where my friends got into trouble.

But you should be cool since you have to deal with a management company. http://www.discussworldissues.com/im...ons/icon14.gif

Signed up for renter's insurance, yet?

Originally posted by Patroklos
http://ctarmls.com/CharlestonReports...289_163749.jpg That looks like a very nice place.

I hope you can get a powerful enough AC though...

Originally posted by Patroklos
Best part is it has a little back yard. I have been wanting to get a dog for 4 years but with me deploying all the time and living in small apartments I didn't think it was a fair way to force an animal to live. funny, I waited through 10 years of apartment living to get a dog. Finally got one when I rented my first house with a little yard last July. What kind you gonna get? Shelter dog?

I'd second Kid's comments about having that stuff gone from the garage by the time you move it. A) if they don't get it done by then, they probaby won't get it dont at all. B) You just don't want your landlord stomping around moving the stuff after you've moved in. Really, you want your landlord around as little as possible in my experience.

AFAIK, there is no real difference between renters insurance for house vs. renters insurance for apartment. Usually the homeonwner's insurance covers the physical property. Your renters just covers your stuff.

I looked a the shelter a bunch of times, but for a variety of reasons ended up getting a dog from a breeder. I run into a couple of the dogs I had considered from the shelter fairly often at the dog park -- I really respect the people who adopted them, because, unfortunately, some of those dogs are still a little dog aggressive.

Labs are awesome dogs, no doubt about that. My brother and brother and law each have a lab. I got a GSP instead. Awesome dog.

I'm with you on the grill issue, that's one of my favorite parts about living in a house vs. an apartment.

Originally posted by Patroklos

Also, my last place wouldn't let me have a grill. If I have one I cook EVERYTHING on it. Steaks, fish, lobster, spagetti ( http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/cute.gif )...

Rebate check = grill http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...milies/nod.gif $600 grill? Awesome. http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...es/biggrin.gif

Originally posted by Alinestra Covelia


QFT. On those warm Southern evenings when your passion is up but so's the mercury, you want to make sure your AC doesn't blow out halfway through. http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/wink.gif Always check under the sinks for woodrot. If the plumbing is leaking, this is where is will most likely be. http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...milies/nod.gif

Who does the gardening?

Oh yeah! Pets! Make sure that pets are allowed on the lease (if you are going to have any that is). Pay attention to this also as when I make up my leases, I specify the number, size and type of pets allowed (usually whatever they have at the time of signing).

That is one of two reasons why I let tenents have pets. I'm to lazy to make sure they are following the rules (the other is putting "Pets Allowed" in the newspaper add brings in the applications!).

Originally posted by Donegeal
Well, here is a different perspective. I am a landlord that rents out a house (nice how Apolyton can give you such a wide variety of people).

I don't use a management company, but thats because my business just isn't big enough that I can't handle it by myself. However, since this guy does use one, he will be more of the hands off kind of guy. Almost everything you do will be through the management company. The stuff in the garage, getting rid of it is up to you. If you don't mind that its there, then who cares that it's there (and no, Kid, I don't have things at the house I rent out). If you want it out, say so from the get go and lodge complaints with the management company. They should keep good records of complaints.


Good luck! We've been renting for over a year now, and have yet to hear from our landlord, management company has been easy to deal with also.

http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ies/tongue.gif ACK!