SLS at VT - Leasing Tips

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PHOTOS AND CONDITION REPORTS

Before you move any furniture into your new home, take pictures of everything--especially any damaged areas. You want to be able to prove to a judge that the damages your landlord billed you for already existed when you moved in. If your landlord has you fill out a move-in condition report, note every problem and keep a copy for yourself. If the landlord doesn't require a condition report, do one yourself and send him a copy. Unless the landlord gives you a form, feel free to use our Move-In/Move-Out Condition Report.

After you move out, take pictures again so you can prove that you left the premises in good shape. Also, if the landlord didn't give you a move-in condition report when you moved in, take the copy you made of the one you did at move-in and complete the move-out portion. Then send a copy of your completed form to the landlord.

ROOMMATE AGREEMENTS

Consider signing a Roommate Agreement. Even if you're good friends with your future roommates, consider signing one anyway. Just looking over our sample Roommate Agreement together and discussing it with your roommates might help everyone avoid misunderstandings later on.

CHECK FOR COMPLAINTS

Don't be shy about asking current residents of the property what they think of the property and their landlord.

SUPPORT THE TENANT'S ASSOCIATION OF BLACKSBURG (TAB)

TAB is a program of the VT SGA. Check out the TAB website.

CONSIDER RENTER'S INSURANCE

Many landlords require their tenants to have renter's insurance while some just recommend it. Students are sometimes covered under their parent's home owner's insurance and don't need a separate renter's policy. Basic renter's insurance pays you if your property is damaged. Most students don't have enough valuable property to make basic renter's insurance worth getting. You can also get liability coverage that will cover your landlord's property and the property of other tenants in case you damage their property through your negligence. If you or your roommates are accident prone, you should get liability coverage; otherwise, you might end up paying for an entire apartment building and its contents if it all burned up in a fire that you accidentally caused.

GET IT IN WRITING

Don't rely on oral promises. If it's not in the lease, you probably won't be able to enforce it. If you and the landlord agree to something that's not in the lease, handwrite it in; then you and the landlord should initial and date the change. (A written lease doesn't have to be typed. Many multi-million dollar contracts have been handwritten on the backs of cocktail napkins.)

MAINTENANCE REQUESTS

Unless the lease says otherwise, it's perfectly acceptable to make maintenance (and other) requests by phone or email. However, if you don't get the response you're looking for, put the request in writing. Send a letter by certified mail (or get a certificate of mailing) or hand deliver the letter and request a receipt when you deliver it; otherwise, your request might not be legally recognized.

RENT RECEIPTS

At the very least pay by a means that will provide proof of payment. Be careful when paying by personal check. While you will have proof of payment once it is cashed, you won't have proof that it was delivered on time. If you are having problems with your landlord, hand deliver your check and ask for a receipt.

GET A COPY OF THE LEASE FOR REVIEW

Don't sign a lease without spending the time to really look it over. If a landlord is unwilling to let you take a copy of the lease home to review, you shouldn't rent from him. If you look the lease over and don't understand something, make an appointment with the SLS Attorney for a Lease Review.

 

 

DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website may not be current or valid. You must not rely on the information contained here without first speaking to a licensed attorney. Always speak to a licensed attorney regarding any legal issue you may have.

 

This page is located at http://www.legal.sga.vt.edu/leasetips.htm.

This page was last updated June 13, 2006.