HOW TO BE A GOOD TENANT
Basically, being a good tenant is treating the home as if it were your very own. To be a good tenant is to PLAY FAIR.
PAY THE RENT ON TIME.
LEAVE THE HOUSE EXACTLY AS YOU FOUND IT WHEN YOU ARRIVED. IF YOU HAVE MOVED SOME FURNISHINGS OR PORCH FURNITURE, TAKE THE TIME TO PUT THEM BACK.
ASK THE LANDLORD HOW TO HANDLE HOUSE REPAIRS. BE SURE YOU HAVE THE NAMES OF THE SERVICE PEOPLE WHO HAVE NORMALLY WORKED ON THE HOUSE. IF THE LANDLORD IS REACHABLE, TYPICALLY THE TENANT CALLS THE LANDLORD FIRST, THEN CALLS THE SERVICE PERSON. MOST LEASES CALL FOR THE TENANT TO PAY FOR THE FIRST $100 OF THE REPAIR. THE LANDLORD MAY KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITHOUT SPENDING MONEY.
YOU SHOULD KEEP IN MIND YOUR LANDLORD LIKES THE HOME AND WANTS YOU TO BE HAPPY THERE. TRY TO WORKOUT YOUR HOUSE NEEDS, BUT IF YOU CAN’T SOLVE A PROBLEM, GIVE YOUR LANDLORD A CALL.
FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE LEASE.
ALWAYS CONFESS IF YOU HAVE BROKEN SOMETHING. MOST LANDLORDS ARE VERY UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATIVE OF KNOWING THAT SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED.
INVENTORY THE HOUSE PRIOR TO MOVE IN. BEST OF ALL DO THIS WITH YOUR LANDLORD. PICTURES OR VIDEOS CAN BE A BIG HELP.
READ ANY SPECIAL HOUSE INSTRUCTIONS AND KEEP THESE INSTRUCTIONS IN A HANDY PLACE FOR EASY REFERENCE.
Your Security Deposit
Here’s How to Get It Back!
The main reason for a security deposit is to assure that a resident takes reasonable care in his/her use of a rental property. This also provides the landlord with a better cash on cash return if something were to go wrong, incentising them to provide lovely accommodation for many others. Reasonable care means that the property should be returned to the owner in nearly the same condition as it was when originally rented.
This assumes that the resident will need to spend some time and effort in cleaning and repairing the property prior to vacating so that the owner can re?rent it quickly. The owner much prefers returning your security deposit for a clean home to using portion of the deposit to have the home cleaned.
The following is a checklist of those items that the landlord expects the resident to complete in order to have the security deposit returned:
Walls
All Nails from hanging pictures removed from walls, and dirty or marked walls cleaned. Excessive damage to walls and ceiling should be repaired.
Woodwork
Woodwork, such as doors and door frames, should be washed clean of fingerprints and smudges.
Floors
All tile floors must be swept and mopped clean after the house is empty.
Carpets
All carpets must be spot treated and then professionally shampooed after the house is empty.
Kitchen
Sinks and faucets must be scoured clean, and free of calcium and deposits. Stove top units must be washed and free of grease. Ovens must be clean and free of grease and spatters. Counter tops, shelves and drawers must be wiped clean. Refrigerator must be washed clean and free of any grease.
Bathrooms
Sink faucets and counter tops must be scoured clean and be free of any calcium deposits. Medicine chests, shelves and drawers must be wiped clean. Shower and tub must be scoured clean of dirt, black mildew and soap, including soap tray and window sill. Toilet must be scoured clean of any calcium deposits or stains including the base, bowl and seat area.
Windows and Sliding Glass Doors
All windows and sliding glass doors must be washed clean inside. Window and door tracts must be vacuumed clean of dirt, insects, etc. Any damaged window screen must be replaced or rescreened.
Storage Areas
All storage areas must be swept or hosed clean of dust, dryer lint, etc.
Garage or Carport
Must be swept or hosed clean. Garage door openers/transmitters should be left in the kitchen on the counter.
Yard, Front and Back
(Not applicable if the unit is in a complex with no private area)
Yard must be clean of all paper, litter and trash. Gravel yards must be free of weeds. Flower beds must be free of weeds. Lawn must be in reasonably healthy condition, be mowed close to the ground or scraped clean. Tumbleweeds and other large weeds must be pulled or removed.
Pets
All pet trash must be removed and any damage repaired.
Note:
Some normal wear from living in a home is expected. Normal family use should not necessitate major inside painting more often than every three or four years. A professional service will be used in the event any of the mentioned areas are left in a unsatisfactory condition. Charges for this service, as well as any damage, will be deducted from your security deposit.