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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Real Estate and Landlording => Topic started by: Holyoak on August 31, 2017, 06:36:05 AM

Title: Explain these leasing terms...
Post by: Holyoak on August 31, 2017, 06:36:05 AM
Lately, I have been reading things in leases/listing descriptions I have never seen before:

"All appliances that are provided are maintained by the tenant."  Maintain to me sounds like normal cleaning, filter maintenance, etc.  But I think the LL means if it breaks, YOU repair it.  Oil changes for a vehicle is maintenance; replacing an oil pump is a repair.

"Tenant is responsible for repairs under $75"...  You gotta be effin kidding me?

And lastly a comment.  This was also part of a 10 page home (dump) rental lease I recently reviewed:

"When either the Landlord or tenant does not do something they have agreed to, it is a violation of the lease"...  Then explains for several pages what will happen to the tenant, but not one word about the LL if the lease is violated.

WTF is going on it seems lately?  I have rented houses/apts/duplexes/lived in off-post military housing for over 30 years, and have never seen the shit I have lately.  Thanks. 

Title: Re: Explain these leasing terms...
Post by: patchyfacialhair on August 31, 2017, 12:29:46 PM
I'm guessing your interpretation is correct.

Sounds like crappy lease terms to me, but I'm just an entitled millennial. IMO, renting a place means the landlord is responsible for maintenance, the tenant is responsible for literally not destroying anything outside of normal wear and tear.

It only sounds reasonable if the place is below market rent and the extra risk placed on the tenant is what balances the equation, and both parties recognize the status quo.
Title: Re: Explain these leasing terms...
Post by: Holyoak on August 31, 2017, 01:35:18 PM
I'm guessing your interpretation is correct.

Sounds like crappy lease terms to me, but I'm just an entitled millennial. IMO, renting a place means the landlord is responsible for maintenance, the tenant is responsible for literally not destroying anything outside of normal wear and tear.

It only sounds reasonable if the place is below market rent and the extra risk placed on the tenant is what balances the equation, and both parties recognize the status quo.

Well, for this forum I'm an old geezer, but feel the same, and how it has always been in my experience; I rent from you and don't harm your home, you as the LL fix what breaks.  IMO and experience, it's crazy to expect someone who is renting (don't own it) to pay for repairs/crazy "up to $75 repair comes out of the tenants pocket, I don' want to be bothered with nuisance crap". 

Sure, I have bought things that broke in rentals, was reimbursed the cost, and have MANY times fixed minor things for free, including the cost of materials (switch/smoke detector/walkway pads, well parts, faucets, etc.).  Heck, I have even diagnosed pretty seriously broken appliances, told the LL of the problem, he provided the part, I replaced the part deducting nothing for my time.  My time was free, saved him hundreds of $$$ in service visits, and I have done this in more than one rental.  Have also thawed out multiple frozen pipes, gone in the crawl space to close/open foundation vent doors, fixed gutters, etc all for free.  I never minded, as there was none of this weasel shit in the lease.

This 10 page lease place I looked at was a real dump; Everything was at least slightly broken, smelled like piss/mildew all over, foot high weeds in a whole length of gutters, FILTHY inside, dog crap all over the yard, huge open rotted hole in the corner of the roof/eves, roof covered in thick moss, concrete patio busted up with huge holes, with current tenants present while I was there looking it over...  Hey, how about after the tenants leave, clean up the place/fix some of the glaring problems, then show it to new prospective tenants.  Damn, this crazy rental market sure gives some LL's giant Eff you balls to ask $950/mo, considering location and condition of your shitbox.  lastly I discovered this resistance heated place cost the folks $400+/mo in the winter, with no central A/C, plus you had to share private road snow clearing at some undetermined cost.  This snow removal was not even mentioned in the lease, much less its cost.  Just south of Lake Erie is no joke when it comes to snow removal, so this last bit of BS, really did it for me.

I have to admit, I'm getting very frustrated...   

 
Title: Re: Explain these leasing terms...
Post by: patchyfacialhair on August 31, 2017, 01:40:04 PM
Eek. Good luck. Sounds like an easy "no" decision, but hopefully the more reasonable options aren't too much higher.
Title: Re: Explain these leasing terms...
Post by: tralfamadorian on August 31, 2017, 01:44:08 PM
Yep, it means what you think it means.  If you're running into this a lot lately, I would try to get a copy of a standard lease for your state.  In the three states I rent in, the state's realtor association gives out a detailed but fair lease that is up to date with all the state laws. 

Then if the landlords try to give you a funky DIY one ("does not do something" lol), then you forward them a copy of the state lease and tell them that you accept the state lease or equivalent.  It probably will not get you anywhere but at least they'll know that they are losing out on tenants because of unreasonable and very possibly non-enforceable leases.

Title: Re: Explain these leasing terms...
Post by: dandarc on August 31, 2017, 01:52:22 PM
So you're looking at a really bad unit.  And the lease terms make it look even worse.  So find someplace else to rent.  Or maybe now is the time to buy, unless purchase prices are just as inflated where you are.  What would the shit-hole sell for as-is?