Proper etiquette for renting houses?

Question

I know this is a weird question.. but.. I am currently renting a house my in laws got for us when we were out of state.. so I never have been through the whole renting process.

The thing is.. I want to move. So, I have a few questions. Firstly, do I give my landlord some kind of notice? When should I move out?

Then.. when you are seeing a house you are renting, and you look it over, are the people expecting you to tell them you want the house right then or wiat a while and call them and tell them? And if you call them and tell them you want the house, will they have to say yes or no or will they just give it to you and tell you when to move in?

I dont know.. if somebody can just give me a rundown on how the whole process works that’d be great.

I know it isn’t that big of a thing but I am a worrier and need to know everything that I’m to expect before leaping in!

Answer 1

Let's break it down:

MOVING OUT: If you have a lease agreement with the landlord you need to look at it. The lease agreement will specify how much notice you need to give and will also indicate whether you are liable for unpaid rent or other expenses if you back out of the lease early. If you're simply renting a house and paying rent every month with no lease or contract or other written agreement, you should give them at least 30 days' notice if you plan to move out (60 days would be better, but is not always possible).

MOVING IN TO A NEW PLACE: You can tell someone right away that you like the place and you want it, but you don't have to. There's nothing wrong with telling someone that you want 24 hours to think it over or that you're looking at several rental properties and you'll let them know -- just bear in mind they may try high-pressure tactics like saying "There was someone else looking at this place yesterday and they said they were very interested" (which is a lie 99% of the time). When you look at a rental property, you should always ask when it's going to be available so you can plan accordingly, and the landlord will tell you when you can move in. If you call them back and tell them you want the property, they will either (a) tell you that the property is no longer available if someone else got it before you did, or (b) they'll ask you to come in and sign the paperwork -- meaning the lease agreement.

Answer 2

First of all you need to tell your current landlord that you are planning on leaving around such and such a date so they can start lining up new renters as well. When you go see the house if you know you want it tell them right away, don't let someone take it away from you. If you aren't sure then tell them you need to think about it. If you see things that worry you discuss it with them, they may be willing to fix it for you. Tell them when you have to be out of the other place and ask when they want rent and deposit and all that fun money stuff. Once you pay the keys are yours to move into it at your leisure. You need to read the contract thouroughly and make sure how long the lease if for. You can break a lease if you need to leave for some reason but it is better not to so that you get a better reference when you move on. That's about the run down. It will all work out, you just have to do it one step at a time. Good luck.

Answer 3

Yes, when moving out. You should give 30 day notice. If you are on a month to month. If you are on a lease, then you need to read your contract. There might be a fee for breaking the lease. On a month to month there is no fee. 30 day notice is what you need to give regardless of what contract you are on.

As far as renting a new one. If it is something you like, express your interest right away. If someone comes in behind you and express their interest you may loose out. The owner will then give you an application to fill out, usually then run your credit to see if you have had any evictions. Some even asking you for a holding deposit. Which means you give them 150.00 to hold the house until they run your credit application. IF you are approved, then the 150.00 go to the deposit, first, security etc. If you are not, then the check is returned to you. Also, if you are approved and change your mind, then the owner keeps the check for taking it off the market.

After you fill out an application, I would wait 24 hours. If you haven't heard anything, then you call to follow up.

Answer 4

It's good that you 'worry'. First thing you need to do is ascertain whether you are renting under the terms of a written lease. You will have requirements about how and IF you can terminate such a tenancy before the expiration date of any such lease. If you are month-to-month (absent a written lease) then you are under a 'statutory lease', the terms of which are governed by the laws of the state in which you reside.

In either case, a minimum of thirty days notice from any rent due date is required to effectively terminate a lease. In the case of a written lease, it may well be longer.

As far as seeking other accommodations is concerned, you simply visit the premises for rent and make your decision on whether or not you desire to rent. THEN you make arrangements with the landlord to rent based upon the notice required of you to vacate the previous premises.

Answer 5

Check current agreement and give the required amount of notice stipulated in the agreement.

Check out some houses. Find one you like.

Some agents or landlords will require you to fill out an application. You will need referees etc.

They will then let you know if you get the property or not.

If you do they may require a deposit or bond. You'll need to sign a rental or lease agreement and set a move in date.

Answer 6

It sounds as if you are renting the current property on a month to month lease even though you have not signed a lease. If you are paying every month, this is the case. If so, when you want to move out please give the landlord one month's notice to move.

The new landlord may want to get some information from you on their application to consider you for rental. When you decide you want to rent the new place, they will get information such as your employer's name and phone number, current landlord information, references, and your consent to check your credit score. Once everything check's out then the landlord would offer the place for your rental.