Hi there!
LawGuru.com offers a linked list of questions for both tenants and
landlords:
"1. Are all rental agreements alike?
2. Must rental agreements be in writing?
3. Can I change a written agreement?
4. Do I owe any money besides the rent?
5. What happens when my lease runs out?
6. Who should make repairs in my home?
7. Can the owner come into my home without asking me?
8. What are the owner's rights?
9. What are my rights?
10. Can I report the owner if the home is unlivable?
11. What can I do instead of reporting the owner?
12. Can the owner sue to evict me?
13. Can the owner lock me out?
14. How do I handle an eviction suit?
15. What can I do if I lose the suit?
16. What can I do about discrimination?"
Renting and Leasing
http://www.lawguru.com/faq/15.html
If you follow the URL above, you'll arrive on the linked list.
Clicking each question will take you to the answer for each, and the
answers include examples.
HoustonApartmentRealty lists these as commonly asked questions:
"How long will I need to sign a lease for?
How long does it take to get approved for a lease, and what
information is needed?"
Commonly Asked Apartment Rental Questions
http://www.houstonapartmentrealty.com/faq.htm
...and another list is available here:
Frequently Asked Rental Questions
http://www.leadingham.com/rental_questions.htm
...and the State of Georgia has published a comprehensive FAQ which,
while answers are specific to Georgia, offers a full list of questions
to ask:
QUESTIONS FREQUENTLY ASKED BY TENANTS AND LANDLORDS
http://www.dca.state.ga.us/housing/landlord/contents.html
I'm in the middle of moving to another state myself, and these are the
questions I've been asking potential landlords:
1. How much is the rent?
2. When is it due?
3. Is there a grace period? If yes, how long is it?
4. Are there any late fees? If yes, what are they?
5. Is a pet deposit required?
6. Is extra rent for pets required?
7. How much is the security deposit?
8. Gas or electric heat?
9. What is the average heating bill?
10. Is the school district highly rated?
11. How secure is the neighborhood?
12. How close is the fire department? Police station?
13. Are there laundry facilties on the premises?
14. Is there a pool? What are the pool rules? Do I have to pay an
extra
deposit to use the pool?
15. Is 24 hour maintenance available? If no, is there an emergency
number?
16. Do you perform yearly maintenance inspections? When?
17. Is a parking permit required?
18. Are there guest parking spaces?
19. Is the parking lot patrolled? How often?
20. Do you employ a private security company?
21. How close is the property to public transportation?
22. Where is the nearest grocery store? Pharmacy?
In the case of residences located on leased land, the above questions
are certainly still valid, as well as:
1. Who owns the land? What is his contact information?
2. When does the lease on the land expire?
3. Do you plan to renew the lease?
4. What happens to the building if the current lease expires while
I'm living
there?
5. Will I be notified when the land lease expires? How far in
advance?
For further reference, LawGuru.com offers a searchable question and
answer datatbase, and includes the ability to ask your own questions
to be answered by an attorney. Select your state and category
(landlords and tenants in this case), and you're on your way:
LawGuru.com Search Datatbase
http://www.lawguru.com/cgi/bbs/user/search.cgi
Good luck!
--Missy
Search terms: [ leasing questions ], [ rental questions ] ...and a lot
of current, first hand experience. |