Renting a Home
Steps to Renting a House
Debbie Kaplan, of Urban Igloo, an apartment-finder service in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia recommends that “you shouldn’t spend more than one-third of your take-home pay on rent”.
Work with your Realtor® to find a home in your budget with all of the features you are looking for.
Landlords will require you to submit a rental application in which credit and background checks may be run.
Once your application is approved you will pay any deposits and sign the lease.
The move in date will be agreed upon and stated in your lease.
Home Renting FAQ's
A security deposit is money that is given to a landlord, lender, or seller of a home or apartment as proof of intent to move-in and care for the domicile.
Fixed-Term Leases: is a type of rental agreement where the renter agrees to stay and pay rent for the time indicated in the written contract.
Month-By-Month Leases: It is an arrangement where the lease may be altered or terminated by either party. Parties must give “proper notice” to end or change a lease, typically at least 30 days in advance.
Month-to-month agreements allow for more flexibility and often require less of a deposit. However, a fixed-term lease usually is the best option for tenants who do not plan on moving for at least a year (or whatever the lease term happens to be).
The law requires your landlord to repair conditions that affect the physical health and safety of ordinary tenants. These could include things like roaches, rats, sewage leaks, roof leaks, faulty electrical wiring, and normal wear and tear to the unit (such as ripped carpeting or broken flooring).
Typically when renters are responsible, however this may vary depending on the lease agreement.
Most residential leases and rental agreements in Texas require a security deposit. This is a dollar amount, usually one month’s rent, that’s intended to cover damage to the premises beyond normal wear and tear, and to cushion the financial blow if a tenant skips out early on the lease without paying rent.
