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Really, Ultrarunner? We've never been responsible for yard maintenance in CA. Utilities, yes, although occasionally the owner will pay for water. I think the only home where we had to take care of our own yard was in Massachusetts. Our current landlord, who is as cheap as they come, even pays for pest control. I have had to pay for that in other homes in order to keep the ants out of the house.
I think it's easier to think of the home as "yours" when it's a house and not an apartment. This can be good or bad. We often do repairs around the house without ever telling the landlord, just because it's easier. Plus, having been homeowners, it's just what we're used to. But it's also easy to forget that it's not yours- like a few days ago when our landlord was here and she mentioned that we had put a new sliding lock on the front door. Well, our toddler had opened the door and run down the street, and there is no way to secure the door, so of course we acted on instinct and went out immediately to Home Depot and bought a new lock for the door. It never even occurred to us that we needed to run it by the landlord first.
Other than that, all you need to know is that you don't need to worry about someone stomping their feet above you, or smoke coming in from the neighbor's apartment, or feeling like you have to tiptoe around in your own house. Enjoy it!
Before you move your furniture in, take dated pictures of the house. Every room. If there are any holes in walls, stains, etc, make sure you take a picture of that. Also request a walkthru sheet to be done with the landlord or if your going through a property management company, with their agent. This way at the end of the lease, you can prove that damages were already there and you won't be penalized for it.
If you have any further questions, you can DM me. I'll be more than happy to try and help you.
You'll need a lawnmower and weedwhacker. Utilities will be higher. As former homeowners, you should be able to handle everything else. You're less likely to get any deposit back from a house than an apartment... document everything. In addition to the dated photos, take a video throughout the house and yard - don't forget the ceilings, under the porches, etc. Sometimes a video will catch something you forgot to take a photo of. And do it before you move ANYTHING in. Follow up any and all maintenance requests with an email that you save. Do not let anything go verbally - again, anything they say "that's okay" to - follow up with an email recapping the conversation.
Enjoy the extra space and privacy!
PS Just a note:
Our new landlord has informed me that if we change the locks, we would be responsible for rekeying all his rentals... He has them all on a master key system. Food for thought.
I agree with what sskkc said unless lawn maintenance is included in rental price. IF you have any technical problems with house (ac not working, ovens not working, etc) put it in writing (not email) and send it certified mail and keep those postal receipts in an envelope somewhere. Don't throw them out. Always CYA.
If you are going to be renting in a neighborhood with Hoas make sure you get a copy of their rules along with your lease. There may be rules with the HOA that might not be included in the lease that you need to be aware of.
If you are going to be renting in a neighborhood with Hoas make sure you get a copy of their rules along with your lease. There may be rules with the HOA that might not be included in the lease that you need to be aware of.
Very GOOD point!
I have seen way too many 3-way problems between owner, renter and HOA. 99% of the time it has to do with something on the outside of the house... i.e. yard area. One case that got way out of hand revolved around the color of the window blinds the renter installed...
Everything from no motorcycles parked in public view to "Illegal" cactus garden
I have seen way too many 3-way problems between owner, renter and HOA. 99% of the time it has to do with something on the outside of the house... i.e. yard area. One case that got way out of hand revolved around the color of the window blinds the renter installed...
Everything from no motorcycles parked in public view to "Illegal" cactus garden
We got in trouble with our HOA for a 1 tuft of grass growing in the expansion joint in our driveway and for having a garbage sitting out front the day the stupid "inspector" drove by. It was crazy, we get this irate email from the landlady who lives in Ca by the way about how we need to fix this asap. (It took like 2 min. to pull up the grass and move the can) So silly.
HOAs can be such a PITA. I get their reason for existence, and they are a good organization in theory, but like many things in life, one jackoff lets the power go to their head and suddenly look out!
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