If You Read Nothing Else, Read This…
- Small lease violations often create surprisingly large bills.
- Check the rule before testing the exception.
- Good renters know their responsibilities before problems appear.
Real-Life Story
Lauren had just moved into her off-campus house and couldn't wait to decorate. She had found some vintage photos of campus and framed them herself for the walls. The room was coming together when she realized she wanted to rearrange some of them. Lauren had used double-sided adhesive hanging strips advertised as easy-to-remove without leaving sticky residue or causing peeling. As she stretched the first tab, it quickly snapped like a rubber band, taking a big piece of paint and drywall with it. She removed a second and SNAP! Lauren now had two large areas of damaged drywall and another dozen of these adhesive tabs still on the walls. She called the landlord to submit a maintenance request when he quickly pointed out Page 28, Section 9 of her lease – "Do not use sticker type hangers. Adhesive is difficult to remove from these walls without damaging the wallboard itself. We prefer you use finishing nails and will repair holes for free at move-out." Request denied! Lauren was still moving in and was already on the hook for repair costs to fix and repaint the wall. This was not the decorating experience she had imagined! "Why didn't I check the lease before I started.", she cried.
Your Lease, Your Responsibilities
Most renters focus on the big items: rent, security deposits, and move-in dates, typically found on the first page. An average lease is made up of 65 pages outlining the many smaller responsibilities buried in the agreement outlining who is responsible for everything from changing light bulbs, replacing smoke detector batteries, landscaping, and preventing pest problems. Many leases even specify what can be attached to walls, where grills can be used, or how many people can be on the balcony. Although these responsibilities seem minor, they definitely are not. If your lease outlines an air filter policy, your neglect to change it can contribute to HVAC problems that your landlord may hold you responsible for. Something as simple as hanging decorations the wrong way can result in repair charges and eat at your security deposit. The most expensive lease violations are often the ones renters never realized were violations.
House Rules At Your Finger Tips
The good news is that most lease problems are completely avoidable. The key is knowing the rules before making assumptions. LeaseWisely helps renters quickly identify the responsibilities that apply to them through both the House Rules section and the Responsibilities section within Lease Details. Instead of searching through dozens of pages of lease language, renters can quickly review the expectations for both the landlord and the tenant in this relationship. Need to know who changes the smoke detector batteries? Check the lease details. Thinking about hanging pictures or making a small change to the property? You guessed it - check the Lease Details tab. LeaseWisely also includes an easy-to-use Search feature that helps renters locate rules and policies in seconds with a simple keyword search. Instead of scouring a detailed and dense document, you can quickly find the information you need to make an informed decision. A thirty-second search today can prevent a three-hundred-dollar mistake tomorrow.
The Bottom Line
Most renters get into trouble simply because they don't know the rules. Your lease is full of policies and responsibilities that can affect your wallet, your security deposit, and even your ability to stay in good standing with your landlord. LeaseWisely makes it easier to learn the rules, avoid mistakes, and rent with confidence.