Rental Lease Terms You Should Know During The Hunt For The Ideal Athens OH Apartments For Rent

By Amy Robinson


Browsing through rental listings is not easy, even if you know the precise kind of property you are after. For you to be able to quickly wrap up your research and move into a suitable apartment, you need to be well conversant with what you are getting yourself into. If you hardly understand the standard information on the leasing contracts of potential Athens OH apartments for rent, you will be at greater risk of making a wrong choice.

Understanding the terms commonly used in leasing contracts will make it easier for you to dodge potential issues. You will also be able to know the pertinent questions you must ask before signing the dotted line. Even when searching for a suitable apartment, information is power and you need to stand out as an informed tenant.

The term grace period is likely to appear in just about every prospective apartment that you can find. Your landlord will look forward to receiving your rent payments each month before a specific date. In case your rent is late, a late fee could be imposed. You will however not be kicked out of your home or locked out because of minor delays. The extra time you receive before things start going south is known as the grace period.

Somewhere in your leasing contract, you are likely to find the term security deposit. Your landlord will be waiting to receive this deposit as soon as you sign the leasing agreement and before you move into the property. This is a form of insurance that enables property owners to protect themselves in case of unexpected developments such as unpaid rent or even contract violation.

In most states, there are no laws that dictate how much a property owner can ask for as a deposit. This means that your landlord can ask for as much or as little as he or she wants, though you should expect the deposit to be equivalent to one or two months worth of rent. You can have your deposit back once you leave the property in the same state you found it.

If you are a newbie in searching for an apartment, the clause which gives your landlord permission to access your home could come as a complete surprise. Well, there are inspections that take place once or several times a year and the property owner has to enter your home and examine the efficiency and stability of various components. You will even so be informed of the visit early in advance.

Renter restrictions are guidelines by which the tenants of a specific property must abide. For instance, the landlord may restrict balcony furnishing, remodeling or outdoor patios. In fact, it is standard protocol to get permission from the property owner if you want to sublet your apartment or even paint it.

Another term you should know about is renters insurance. It is not mandatory to purchase coverage, though having a policy could give you priceless peace of mind. The insurance protects your assets in case of an emergency such as a fire. Most landlords will have coverage for the building, but not for the belongings of their tenants.




About the Author: