hopefully signing my lease tomorrow...some questions (apartment, lease agreement, tenant) - Apartments, houses, lease, tenant, landlord, agreements, termination - City-Data Forum

bentz69 · 02-24-2009, 01:47 AM

I found an apartment that I like so I'm going to make the move there. Its the first floor of someone else's home and includes all utilities, cable and internet for a great price compared to other places in the same area.

The landlord seems very nice and very handy so all things look good. I asked what term lease he usually does and he said that he does a month to month and if i were to move out he would appreciate at least a months notice before hand. He wants first and last months rent plus security up front and said he would give me receipts for everything. It didn't sound like he was going to write up a lease agreement but i could be wrong. Instead just give me a receipt each time i paid the rent. Is that normal? I don't know if the apartment is legal.

A few questions..
If i want to change the address on my license, what do i need to show to dmv for proof of residence? Would a lease agreement be sufficient? I wouldn't have any bills since everything is included.

If I wanted to change little things in the apartment, such as a shower head, sink faucet, toilet seat, new blinds etc. do i need the landlords permission or not?

Any tips on what to include in the lease (if he chooses to do one) that I should be aware of? This will be my first apartment.

Thanks

VegasGrace · 02-24-2009, 02:20 AM

Be careful. I see trouble already- you are under someone's feet.

Hopefully it will work out but be prepared for sleepless nights and no peace and quiet during the day. Be greatful it's a month to month and don't stop looking for another place.

I wouldn't change your address on your license or start contacting your creditors to update your credit files....you may be moving soon.

Yes, you do need permission-get everything in writing.

bentz69 · 02-24-2009, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VegasGrace

Be careful. I see trouble already- you are under someone's feet.

Hopefully it will work out but be prepared for sleepless nights and no peace and quiet during the day. Be greatful it's a month to month and don't stop looking for another place.

I wouldn't change your address on your license or start contacting your creditors to update your credit files....you may be moving soon.

Yes, you do need permission-get everything in writing.

The man that owns the home is about 50 and lives by himself. He is single with no kids. He told me that my bedroom is under another bedroom that is not being used and the living room/kitchen combo is attached to the house with nothing above it. I work nights and he works days. I thought about all the stuff you mentioned when i was looking at the place.

STT Resident · 02-24-2009, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VegasGrace

Be careful. I see trouble already- you are under someone's feet.

Hopefully it will work out but be prepared for sleepless nights and no peace and quiet during the day. Be greatful it's a month to month and don't stop looking for another place.

I wouldn't change your address on your license or start contacting your creditors to update your credit files....you may be moving soon.

Yes, you do need permission-get everything in writing.

Why so negative from the get-go?

bentz69: It sounds like a nice set-up but do get some sort of a rental agreement even though it's only on a month to month basis. If problems do arise it's so much easier on both parties if the basics are understood via a contract. In these agreements there's usually a clause which addresses "alterations" and usually, for instance, where it pertains to hanging things on the walls, it'll note that landlord's permission must be obtained.

As far as things like replacing toilet seat, drapes, etc. you would of course want to ask the landlord's permission out of courtesy but generally if you safely keep what is the landlord's, you can change out these things at the end of your stay. Shower heads and kitchen faucet are another story and this you definitely need to discuss with the landlord as these are permanent fixtures.

Yes, if you do change your address you will need to show a copy of the rental agreement.

Hope this helps a little and good luck!

GypsySoul22 · 02-24-2009, 07:17 AM

Get the lease agreement in writing. This nice 50 year old man could wind up meeting someone who will move in. People do tend to be nice when you begin to rent but some landlords will become 'dragons' when they see how even one tenant can make the heat, gas or electric 'go up.'

Also, sometimes you don't see things (as a tenant) till later on.

When my husband & I first got married we had the downstairs of a high ranch..or actually part of the downstairs.

Low and behold we discovered little things like 'the garage door opened over our heads' every morning...didn't know that before. Every morning "Mrs" would vacuum by 9 am...not very late now but then we were newly married, both worked and liked to sleep in.

By April the woman decided we should shut off the heat and keep it off (a note she pinned to our door). Also, she said because we didn't clean out the sink it leaked into her laundry room?? How that is her business or our fault, I don't know.

We also found out the fuse box was in our apartment so the landlord thought he could come in and out anytime he wanted. (wrong but we were dumb kids at the time and didn't know).

So, years later, and a little smarter, I say, 'get it in writing.

Donn2390 · 02-24-2009, 12:47 PM

What gypseysoul said...!
That nice old man might turn out to be the LL from Hell..! Do a walkthrough and note the condition of everything. Both keep a copy to use for your exiting walk through.
You don't have to show the DMV anything to change your address, but I wouldn't hurry to make the change until you know it's going to work out.
Changing things like you mention are no big deal, as long as you change them back when you leave. Don't change anything that is permanent, without written permission.
After you've been to court a few times, you will discover absolutely everything needs to be in writing...

bentz69 · 02-24-2009, 01:41 PM

Thanks everyone. So something written on paper is the way to go

wheelsup · 02-24-2009, 03:58 PM

How are you giving him first and last months rent if you are month to month? Umm, hell no! Security deposit and current months rent is all I would give him, just IMO.

bentz69 · 02-24-2009, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheelsup

How are you giving him first and last months rent if you are month to month? Umm, hell no! Security deposit and current months rent is all I would give him, just IMO.

well i guess if im moving in the first of march and plan to leave the end of august (or any month for that matter), then august first i wont be giving him the rent for the month of august. does that make sense?

bentz69 · 02-24-2009, 08:34 PM

just a follow up..I went and signed the lease today. I stopped at staples and got a copy of a rental agreement. when i went to the place, the landlord had something very basic written on paper that included the deposit amount of 100 dollars, monthly rent, the address and signature. I presented him with a more formal one that we filled out together and both signed.

Next monday I should be moving in. Thanks for the help