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What Standard Renter's Insurance Policies Cover
Most standard renter’s insurance policies cover your personal property for the following scenarios:
fire or lightning
windstorm or hail
explosion, riots or civil commotion,
aircraft or vehicles damage
smoke
vandalism or malicious mischief
theft
damage by glass or safety-glazing
volcanic, falling objects, weight of ice and snow
water related damage from utilities, and electrical surge damage
Flood, earthquake, and hurricane insurance should be added on if you live in an area where this might be of concern.
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Rentals.com Tip: Rentals in the South: Atlanta Houses for Rent
As one of the main hubs of the South, Atlanta is an area rich in culture and professional opportunities. Homes for rent in Atlanta are considered to be very affordable and offer all types of accommodations from bungalow style to mini-mansions to vacation-style properties.
Directory listings with Atlanta houses for rent, such as RealRentals.com provide a comprehensive list of rentals in the south, including Atlanta homes for rent. Whether you are searching for Atlanta properties for rent in downtown, midtown, or in town or you are searching for houses for rent in the Atlanta area, including Buckhead, Lenox, Morningside or Virginia Highland, this directory offers detailed information about what is available. For landlords that have houses for rent by owner in Atlanta, this service also provides an excellent opportunity to connect with prospective tenants. Those who want a house for rent in Atlanta beyond just a single-family dwelling can also find condominiums, townhomes and duplexes.
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Completing The Rental Application
You will usually have to fill out a rental application to be considered for the rental home. The rental agreement helps the potential landlord or agency get to know you and collect contact information on you and your references. Make sure you answer the application truthfully and be honest with accurate information.
The application usually includes all the tenant's particulars needed to check credit, income and references. It will ask questions about the names of tenants, number of occupants, pets (if any), address of unit, occupancy date, amount of rent, when rent begins and when rent is due to the landlord. A tenant who violates any of these conditions can be evicted. Be sure you sign the application stating all the information is correct. The rental application is “Subject to Landlord Approval” and is not a legally binding document. It is important to thoroughly fill out the rental application and get it back to the landlord or rental agency promptly to be considered an interested responsible potential.
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Rentals.com Tip: Eviction Rights on Rental Homes
One of the most difficult aspects of managing rental homes is dealing with evictions. While San Diego homes for rent may have different eviction rights than those in Atlanta or Portland, all areas of the U.S. share some common features. Eviction rights include the right for a tenant to be heard before a law officer physically removes them from the property.
Most eviction rights on rental homes first involve a notice that provides the tenants with the chance to take certain actions or move out of the rental homes. As part of eviction rights, this notice for tenants alerts them to the fact that they are not upholding tenant responsibilities by moving out when requested to do so.
Eviction rights for tenants are provided under a certain number of laws that can be found on the Internet, in landlord books, and on information websites so that landlords of rental homes can ensure that they are complying with eviction rights while those renting can understand how they should uphold their tenant responsibilities.
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Keeping It Habitable
Since rental units face yearly turnover, it's the landlord's responsiblity to maintain the rental property and its condition. A landlord should always be accessible to their tenant and must maintain the following:
Keep the rental property up to all local safety and health codes
Maintain the roof, walls and structural components of the rental
Keep common areas reasonably clean and safe to tenants and visitors
Provide a reasonable program and methods for control of pests
Provide necessary facilities to supply heat, electricity, and hot and cold water
Provide reasonable and adequate locks for the rental
Maintain appliances furnished with the rental unit
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Rentals.com Tip: Home Inspections for Home Rentals
To create a sustainable and profitable business with home rentals, it is important to continually invest in the home rentals so that they provide good quality accommodations. All home rentals should include home inspections as part of the process of marketing and renting a property to ensure that the home is in excellent condition for renters.
While a landlord can conduct their own house inspections on home rentals, it is recommended that a professional home inspector be hired to inspect the premises of home rentals and supply home inspection reports that will be credible documentation for interested renters. The home inspector has received certification to conduct home inspections and knows exactly what to look for in terms of the best home inspection services.
The home inspector can check home rentals for the overall condition of the structure, including the integrity of the roof, walls, doors and windows, ceilings, floors, staircases, plumbing, wiring, heating and cooling, and garage. Other home inspection services that are important for home rentals include tests for carbon monoxide, air quality, lead, and asbestos. The final home inspection reports will provide recommendations for repair or maintenance that will help a landlord maintain their home rentals and maximize their return on investment.
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Ask All Your Questions
When you meet a potential landlord it is a good time to start asking some questions and find out more of what is involved in the rental home. Prepare a list of questions you would need answered in order to consider renting the home. Some sample questions are:
What is included in the rental?
What utilities are you (the renter) responsible for?
What is th length of the lease?
Are pets allowed?
What is the neighborhood and the neighbors like?
Who will maintain the property?
Where can you park?
Is there additional storage included?
Is there a security system?
When the current tenant is leaving?
When looking for a rental home a lot of things need to fall in line and be similar to what you want and need, asking questions is the only way to determine if there is a fit.
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Rentals.com Tip: Key Rental House Questions
Those searching for rental homes can get frustrated or feel panicked and end up taking the first one they see, leading to further problems. When renting a house, it is important to clarify rental terms and get specific answers about the house and the owner. Before you accept a rental house and sign a lease, there are a number of questions to ask to ensure that this is the right decision to make. This is especially true with so many scams now affecting the rental house market.
One question to be sure to ask the owner is if they are current on their mortgage since many houses for rent are now going into foreclosure, leaving the tenant without a place to live. If the ad does not state anything about pets, ask about their pet policy before arranging an appointment to avoid disappointment. During the walk-through, ask about recent improvements to ensure that the rental house is not a "lemon” and inquire about the maintenance policy. Ask the landlord if they can provide a checklist that verifies everything is in working order. Be sure to also get answers about neighborhood safety and how to reach the landlord.
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Covenants, Conditions, And Restrictions (CC&Rs) Of Condo Living
A condominium complex has multiple owners who own separate areas individually, and common areas collectively. Decisions about common areas are made by the homeowner's association (HOA) or it's board of directors. Condos have covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs), which govern everything from the elections of HOA officers to the allocation of parking spaces. Condominium landlords should give their tenants a copy of the CC&Rs for reference and tenants should take the time to read the CC&Rs and ask for clarification of any rules they don't understand. Condo rental agreements should also have a paragraph stipulating that the tenant has been given the CC&Rs, and agrees to abide by them, and will be financially responsible for any fines levied against the owner as a result of the tenant's actions. If you are renting a condo, make sure you get to read the CC&Rs before signing the lease.
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Association Dues And Assessments
One of the greatest areas of concern for condominium tenants arises when the owner/landlord fails to pay the association dues or assessments. Current tenants may not have any idea that the owner is late or has missed payment(s).
In some cases, the Homeowner’s Association (HOA) can be taking action against the owner without the tenant knowing. Depending on the situation, it is possible the condo may be in foreclosure and the tenant may not be aware until a notice is placed on the front door. This can be very confusing and unfair for the rental tenant of the condo unit. It is best to pay your rent when due and have an open relationship with the owner and keep your eyes open for signs of an irresponsible or troubled landlord.
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