As the country is beginning to emerge from the pandemic, some people have begun moving again.\u00a0 Whether you’re looking for a new apartment or looking to renew your lease, we’ve got some helpful tips for renters in 2022 to bear in mind. In no particular order, here are five helpful tips for renters to consider in 2022.<\/p>\n
There are many websites that outline renters’ rights, it is important to know that they vary from state to state and can change from year to year.\u00a0 If you do a search for tenants’ rights in Ohio you find specific meaning for terms like “right to habitability,” “right to return of the security deposit,” “landlord retaliation,” and your right to notice before landlord entry.\u00a0 Hopefully, you’ll find an apartment where none of this will become an issue, but it is good to familiarize yourself with your rights at least once per year to account for changes and review your lease for any discrepancies between the lease and the law.<\/p>\n
Sometimes private landlords will prefer to have some things written into the lease while other things are agreed upon verbally.\u00a0 Even if the landlord is a personal friend or someone who was referred by a trusted third party, it is always best to protect yourself by getting everything in writing.\u00a0 Ensure that every fee, responsibility for both parties, and policies are written on a document signed by both parties. Get a detailed list of everything from which bills you’re responsible for, to move-in\/move-out procedures, repair requests and expectations, security deposit, pet deposit, and more.<\/p>\n
This may seem like an obvious suggestion, but it is all too easy to let the batteries go bad on these detectors especially if the apartment has been sitting unoccupied for a while. Check your carbon monoxide detector and smoke alarms to make sure they work. Inspect your windows to see if they are lockable, check the deadbolt on your door, and see if there is a secondary lock such as a door chain.<\/p>\n
If possible, visit the house or apartment before moving in. If you do, check the sinks, toilet, shower, stove, oven, microwave, and fridge for any signs of defect or malfunction. You can ask the landlord to fix these before your agreed move-in date.\u00a0 There is nothing worse than a long day of moving only to find that your new apartment has an issue and you have to fill out a service request or contact your landlord before you’ve settled into your new place.<\/p>\n
In most instances, this can be bundled with auto or other forms of insurance and is usually very affordable.\u00a0 In Ohio, it is an average of $20 per month in 2022.\u00a0 If your rent is $1,000 per month then that is 2% of your monthly rent in exchange for added peace of mind.\u00a0 Renters insurance typically covers theft, water damage, natural disasters, property damage, and sometimes bodily injury.\u00a0 That is a lot of protection for very little money.<\/p>\n
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