Renter’s Advice and Resources

Lease documents vary in size and complexity, depending on the landlord. The general purpose of lease documents are to set forth laws and regulations designed to protect the landlord, and to a lesser extent, the tenant. When reading the lease documents, there are some important pieces of information you should pay special attention to. Things […]

Before you terminate a lease, you should be sure to know your rights as a tenant. These rights will vary depending upon the jurisdiction where you live. Despite what may or may not be written into the lease, you will have certain rights under the law. There could be any number of reasons why you […]

Whether you are preparing to move to a new community, or considering an extension of your current lease, plan ahead and you may find better value or savings by timing the opportune moment to negotiate a lease. Most businesses, including rental communities, have a slow season and may be effected by other variables that will make the timing […]

If you’re preparing to write a lease termination letter, there are some specific items you must include to ensure your request is approved, and that you protect yourself while still fulfilling your obligations under your current lease agreement. What Is a Termination Letter? Should you have serious issue with your current residence, lease terms or management, you […]

Month to month rentals are not as common as a year-long lease, but they can be found. Perhaps you are waiting to move into a new home, are in an unpredictable living situation, or just want to move to a new area for a summer.  Open ended leases allow you to move on short notice […]

There are many factors that play into how much rent is charged for an apartment. The neighborhood, amenities, and even whether you have a pet can all affect the rent for a particular place. These variables can make it hard to be sure that a landlord is asking for a fair rental amount for an […]

The need for flexible leasing may be important for a myriad of reasons. Contract employment, college graduation, marriage, or any number of issues may cause renters to realize the need for a month-to-month lease. Short-term, month-to-month, or flexible term leasing may not be as difficult to obtain for an applicant as first thought, despite the fact […]

Depending on your lease, your water bill can look very different. In some apartment buildings, the landlord receives the water bill for the whole building and simply divides it among the tenants. In other buildings, there may be a submetering system that allows the landlord to bill you for the actual amount of water used. […]

For anyone who is reviewing a lease agreement prior to move-in, it helps to be able to identify some warning signs of a bad landlord tenant relationship that is waiting to happen. Sometimes, the clauses of a lease can be bad omens, where tenant rights hinge on a good reading and negotiation of “landlord laws” […]