When it comes to matters that involve renting, different people have different beliefs about just about everything. Take the Rental Agreement, the rental laws, or the tenants’ rights, for example. All of these differ from one rental to another. Not to mention from city to city or even country and state. Something may not be right in your apartment, but your landlord refuses to acknowledge it and help you out. But does that justify you to, maybe, sit on your rent or break your lease? Well, maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t. But who knows?
There are many myths and misconceptions that couples renting apartments that if you aren’t too careful, Keyrenter, Dallas property management warns you stand the chance of falling victim to one or two of them. And if you do so, then there is a high likelihood that you might get into trouble with your landlord or state in very extreme cases.
When renting an apartment, your Rental Agreement should guide you on approaching your landlord if there is an issue in your allocated premises. The Rental Agreement also tells you whether you are in line or out of bounds in anything you intend to do. That is all the reason you need to have a peaceful life in your rentals.
Check out these renting myths that have got some tenants in trouble with their tenants and even the law.
You Are More Likely To Lose Your Security Deposit If You Live Somewhere For Too Long
Absolutely not true. There is absolutely no reason for your landlord or renting agency to deny you your security deposit whether you live a year or ten in one apartment. Provided there aren’t any damages to speak of. It is your right to get your security deposit back. Not unless you agreed in your Rental Agreement that your security deposit becomes void if you rent up to a certain period. Which is unheard of and plain illogical. Otherwise, never think that you now have to kiss your security deposit goodbye because you’ve lived in one apartment for over 20 years or so.
As long as your Rental Agreement is still intact and you have it, you have the right to get your security deposit back and in full.
The Landlord Is The One Responsible For Repairs And Maintenance Of Rental Apartments
Again, absolutely false. Not unless it is explicitly mentioned in the Rental Agreement. Your landlord’s responsibilities vary depending on the rental apartment you live in and what your Rental Agreement says. Your landlord is, of course, on the hook for handling things like general maintenance, plumbing issues of the building, pest control, and noise complaints. However, there are other things that your landlord can only handle out of courtesy. But not as an obligation, especially the problems caused by you.
Rental Prices Never Change
The truth is that you never really have that much bargaining power when paying your rent, especially in the hot rental markets. However, each landlord is different. So, if you believe you can sway your landlord to scrape some few bucks off your rent, then go for it. Who knows what might happen? Rental prices are not set in stone after all.
You Waste A Lot Of Cash Renting
Okay, so buying a home is always a good investment, no doubt about that. However, there are also tons of reasons why renting is not a bad investment either. If anything, renting can even be better for you financially speaking. Renting also allows you ample time to save enough cash for a down payment of your dream home. After all, there’s nowhere you will possibly get the cash to pay for the down payment and other huge bills that come with acquiring a home if you don’t have the income or savings to back it up.
You Can Never Get A Good Apartment If You Have A Bad Credit Score
Indeed, the truth is that bad credit can make things more challenging when looking for an apartment. It gets even more challenging if you are looking for rentals in competitive rental markets. However, having bad credit doesn’t usually automatically disqualify you from landing a good rental. Other factors also come to play when applying for a rental. Not just your credit score. Factors such as providing proof of pay stubs, letters of recommendation from previous landlords, or applying for a roommate can also improve your chances of landing a good rental apartment.
Your Landlord Or Property Manager Has The Power To Evict You For Any Reason
There is no truth to this at all. In fact, if you are on a signed Rental Agreement, then your landlord typically can’t just up and decide to evict you. First, the landlord must have sufficient evidence that proves you have broken the Rental Agreement. Only when this happens will your eviction be justifiable. The rules, however, tend to be a little fuzzy if you opt for the rentals that go month to month.
You Have The Right To Deduct Rent If You Do Your Own Repairs
It’s no doubt that it seems easy to deduct the amount you use to repair or maintain your rental apartment. However, doing this can also end up doing more harm than good to you, especially if this wasn’t in your Rental Agreement.
Always leave the repair and maintenance work to the landlord. You can, however, send them an itemized list of what the repairs and maintenance might require. Or request them to have an expert come and check your apartment out. But never assume that you have the right to deduct it from the rent because you repaired a leaking pipe or sealed a caving ceiling.
Landlords Can Access Your Rented Space Whenever They Want
Even though your landlord may want to enter your rented space for many reasons, they cannot just enter your apartment whenever they feel like it. If your landlord doesn’t have sufficient reason to enter your rented unit, then you stand the right to deny them entry. There are, however, some exceptions that might not require that they request your permission. For example, when there is an emergency such as a fire or severe water leakage. Landlords stand the right to access your home for these emergencies and more, especially if you are not around.
Final Thoughts
Many myths and misconceptions surround renting apartments. If you are not careful, then you stand the risk of falling victim to some of them. And doing so can be a terrible move on your part, especially if it clashes you with your landlord of the law. Check first and make sure that you do not get duped into believing something wrong before making a move you will live to regret.
