- Don’t rent without driving by the complex on a Friday or Saturday night to check on the nighttime environment (including parking).
- Use an apartment locator when you have Rental History, Credit problems, Criminal Convictions, or New employment – the service is FREE and a good locator can save you from losing deposits and application fees.
- Don’t sign a long term lease when they believe they will need to change locations soon.
- Don’t agree to take an apartment on the 2nd or 3rd floor when you need a ground floor unit. Your will regret it everyday.
- Don’t try to “hide” an animal without paying the pet deposit or pet rent.
- Don’t try to hide someone on the lease who is over 18 – TX law requires everyone to be on the lease who is 18 or over even “grown children”.
- Don’t rent under someone else’s name to bypass the Rental criteria – this can not only get you “kicked out of the unit” but you may cause the person who rented the apartment FOR YOU to be hit with a Broken Lease or Eviction AND THEREBY OWE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO THE COMPLEX.
- Don’t break a lease – better to give Notification that you are leaving and make payment arrangements to pay off your debt (and usually cheaper in the long run).
- Know how to complain about an apartment – the right way will protect your rights and protect your “pocketbook”. Seek out the local apartment association or Attorney General of Texas’ website – see Tenant Rights.
- Don’t file a fraudulent application for an apartment. The apartment can and will keep your deposit, application fees, administrative fees, and may evict you or charge you with a Broken Lease.
*Bonus Tip: Don't rent without checking with the local police department on the crime rate in the area the apartment is in. It takes a little work but this can save you BIG TIME.
Posts
