Can they do that Can maintenance just come in my apartment without warning Do I have to pay late fees for my roommate 50 for a light bulb Is that legal I hate my roommate can I move ID: 463035
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Slide1
The Lease
Can they do that?
Can
maintenance just
come in my apartment without warning?
Do I have to pay late fees for my roommate?
$50 for a light bulb! Is that legal?
I hate my roommate – can I move?
Do they have to repair my dishwasher?
Eww
! Spiders!
Can I make them spray
for bugs?
The answer to all of your
questions can be found in………Slide2
Renting: Rules of the GameAttorney for StudentsLBJ Student Center 5.105(512) 245-2370
http://attorney.dos.txstate.edu/Follow us on Facebook & Twitter @ TXST_AFSSlide3
OverviewWhat do you need in an apartment?How do you choose a new place?Lease – what is it, why does it matter
Requesting repairsCommon ProblemsQuestionsSlide4
Players in the GameTenant – you and your roommatesLandlord – owner of complex/houseLaw – minimum requirements a landlord must obey
Lease – contract with terms and conditionsSecurity Deposit – money the landlord requires you to pay before moving in; refundable at end of leaseSlide5
Choosing a new homeWhat do you need? What do you want?Slide6
BudgetHow much money will you have?Loans, scholarships, grantsParentsOther incomeWhat will you need money for?
RentApplication fee, Security Deposit Pet fees Estimate $250-$500 per petElectricity, Water, Gas, trashEstimate $100-$150 each month for your share of the bills
Cable & InternetEstimate $100 per monthMoving expensesFoodSlide7
Lease = Financial ObligationThink of the full cost and not just monthly rent12 months @ $450 per month = $5400
+ 12 months @ $100 utilities per month = $1200+ 12 months @ $100 cable & internet = $1200+ $250 security deposit & $50 application feeTOTAL = $8100 yearly obligationMonthly rent VS. Installment payments
Installments aren’t prorated and you owe money BEFORE you move in or get financial aid awardsSlide8
How long will you want to stay?Will you need a full year? GraduationStudy abroadSummer internships, work opportunities
Can you break the lease if….Leave school?Graduate early?Get married or divorced?Lose a roommate?Become ill?Die?Slide9
NO!!!Slide10
2 Ways to Legally Break the LeaseDomestic ViolenceCriminal charges filedProtective order issuedMilitary leaveActive duty
Must be for longer than 90 daysSlide11
Choose Roommates CarefullySlide12
Renting Together AgreementMemorialize your agreement in writing17 questions to consider/answerKeep a copy!Avoid future problems and disagreements
Free form on our website: http://attorney.dos.txstate.edu/Slide13
Amenities needed?Bus routes, public transportationComputer facilityLaundryStores in walking distancePet friendlyHandicap accessibleSlide14
How do I compare places?Research apartment complexesOnline review sites (apartments.com, rentals.com)Go in person and look at each complexWalk around, talk to people who live there
Request a copy of their lease – READ ITUse a free app like LeaseLobsterThink it over for a few daysSlide15
ACT Ally MembersACT – Achieving Community TogetherAlly Members – complexes and landlords that signed a contract with the University and pledged to treat students fairly and ethicallyhttp://www.lbjsc.txstate.edu/services/act
Texas State Housing Fair – February 2014Win cash prizes and a flat screen TVSlide16
Today ONLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $399.99 rent!* Sign up today for a FREE ipod!*
$399.99 price only available for current calendar year, management reserves right to cancel promotion at anytime without warning. Limit one device per lease, ipod or comparable device
to be provided to tenant after one half o the lease has been completed, tenant must pick up device at time and place to be determined, management reserves the right to substitute comparably priced gadget for ipod, $99 processing fee to be applied at end of lease
$399.99
Sign Now!Slide17
I found a place!
Now what?Slide18
How do I start the lease process?Fill out applicationKeep a copyPay application fee or deposit (fees are non-refundable, deposits may
be returned)Credit checkCriminal history checkLandlord has 7 days to accept or denyIf accepted, go back and sign the lease. Do not wait until the day of move in to sign the contract.
Guarantor or Co-signer may be requiredSlide19
Will I need a co-signer?Co-signer or GuarantorLL doesn’t trust you to pay the rent because you’re young and have little credit history to prove that you can pay bills on timeCo-signer or guarantor is a person who promises to pay the landlord if anything goes
wrongEven if it wasn’t your fault.Be careful!Landlord can make you pay but not let you stay if you fail to provide a guarantorSlide20
The LeaseThe most important document you’ll sign this year.Slide21
Leases – 2 TypesTraditional LeaseYou and your roommates are on the exact same lease. You are 100% responsible for yourself AND your roommates.Bob and Joe sign a lease. Joe quits school in December and moves back home with his parents.
Bob is now responsible for paying the ENTIRE rent or he will be evicted.Individual LeaseYou rent one bedroom in a large apartment and share a common living and kitchen area.Bob signs a lease for bedroom A in a 3 bedroom unit. Joe and Tom are assigned to be his roommates. Joe quits school in December and moves home. Bob doesn’t have to worry about what Joe does. The landlord can now move a new roommate into Joe’s old bedroom.Slide22
Things to Look for in all LeasesRent and deposit amounts are accurateOwner’s name and address providedEmergency contact numberSublease and early move out terms/conditionsPest control - who is responsible?
Watch out for:Non-refundable feesRequired cleaning or professional servicesList of possible charges/feesSlide23
Sign the Lease.Keep a copy!Keep a copy!Keep a copy!Slide24
Move In: More than just unpackingPick up the keys and immediately inspect the apartmentTake pictures of everythingBetter yet use an app like
RentRhinoFill out inventory form and turn in within 48 hoursKeep a copy!Slide25
Move Out: More than just repackingMust give written move out noticeLease should specify how many days (30, 60, etc.)Keep a copy!Clean everything!
Take pictures of your clean, empty apartment apartment (RentRhino)Ask landlord for walk-throughTurn in keys and give written forwarding addressKeep a copy!Slide26
Where’s my money?If you gave written move out notice and a forwarding address, the landlord must refund your security deposit within 30 daysForgot to give written move out notice? You might lose your moneyForgot to give written forwarding address?
You might lose your moneySlide27
Repairs & problemsPut it in writing!Slide28
Problems in your apartment?Slide29
Which of these must the LL fix?Loud train crossing keeps you up at nightBroken tanning beds or workout equipmentShuttle bus stops runningScuff marks on wallsStained carpet
Broken dishwasherRoaches or miceBroken air conditionerSlide30
Health or Safety“Material effect” on your health or safetyInconvenient or ugly vs. health or safetyCrowded parking lot vs. Unlit parking garageNoisy dishwasher vs. clogged sink drain
Seek the advice of an attorneySlide31
Requesting a RepairLaw requires that it be in writing AND mailedEmail does NOT count as writing or mailingTexas law gives two o
ptionsSend letter, wait 7 days. If no response, send letter again and wait another 7 days.OR, send first letter via certified mail with a return receipt. If no response after 7 days, see a lawyer.Landlord can require that you ALSO give them notice via the web or email
Hence, you have to tell them twice.Slide32
How to Request a RepairType a letterAddress it to ownerDate itTell them what apartment you live in and what the problem is, how long has the problem existed
Ask them to repair the problem within 7 daysMail it with a STAMP (or certified with return receipt)Keep a copy!How will you prove that you sent a letter if you don’t have a copy?Slide33
Making RepairsLaw says within 7 days of notice is reasonable amount of time to begin repairEach case is different and fact specific
Leaky toilet vs. Leaky roofProfessional landlord vs. Mom & Pop rentalDo I have to let the landlord fix it?Yes. Law gives LL several chances to correct the problem and maintain the lease.Slide34
Common ProblemsApartment not as picturedParking sucksLandlord won’t call you backHate the roommate you were givenRoommate didn’t pay bill
Your boyfriend is always there – should you pay more?Rent a house. Does master bedroom pay more?Roommate spent the security deposit checkSlide35
Renting Houses in San MarcosSingle Family OrdinanceHouses in these areas cannot have more than 2 unrelated people living thereLandlord does NOT have to disclose this to youCity of San Marcos CAN force you to moveSlide36
Technology to the Rescue!
Available on iPhone and Android Slide37
Questions?Attorney for StudentsLBJ Student Center 5.105(512) 245-2370http://attorney.dos.txstate.edu/
Follow us on Facebook & Twitter @ TXST_AFS