10 Fees Landlords Use Before and During Your Lease

Your rental unit fees are usually set by guidelines or rules put into place by a particular community. These fees are put into place for many reasons so it's always a good thing to familiarize yourself with the rental contract before you make a costly mistake. Always keep your contract/lease where you can easily obtain it in case of disputes or other problems.

There are actually 10 fees that rental unit owners will enact before and, more specifically, during your lease. It's your job, as a renter, to keep abreast of these changes. This is why it's vitally important that you keep your lease handy.

10 Fees Landlords Enact On A Renter's Contract

Before The Lease Is Signed

Application Fee - Not all places will ask for an application fee. However, places that do ask for it won't charge you much at all. These fees are generally one-time only and can be waived as move-in special.

Deposit - All rental units ask for a deposit. Though not usually seen as a fee, it's money that you must give your landlord as safe keeping of your apartment and for his/her safety in case you fail to pay rent or cause damages.

Deposits can vary depending on where you live. If you want to save money, look for specials in this area such as zero dollars on deposit. Some landlords will use this as a gimmick for you to sign the lease.

Pet Fee and Deposit - You know your beloved cat/dog that you have roaming around your home? When you go looking for a new place to live, chances are you're going to be paying much more than you paid to purchase them. Many landlords charge a pet fee, anywhere from $200 to $750.

However, some landlords will charge you a monthly pet fee, which adds more to your rent as well. You want to be sure that your pet doesn't cause any damage because if they do, chances are you won't see a nickel of that money back. Cleaning the carpets is likely to come from your pet deposit so also be aware of that fact.

You can, if you play your cards right, negotiate this fee/rent so ask questions and weigh them. For instance, de-clawing your animal could lower the rate. Many landlords are flexible when it comes to cats.

After The Lease Is Signed - During Your Stay

Late Fees - It's pertinent that you pay your rent on time so make notes of when it is due. If not, you could pay extraordinarily large late fees before you get the eviction notice. Some landlords will charge by the day so be sure you read your lease to find out how you will be charged or talk with your landlord regarding the reason for the late rent payment.

Garbage and Patio Fees - Don't allow trash to accumulate at your door. Some communities will attach fees to homes that don't keep up the property. Save money and exercise by getting to the dumpster to throw away the trash.

Some apartments have a pick-up service so find out which days trash is picked up and set it out and pick it up within 24 hours. If you don't pick it up within that time period, you could have an added fee to your rent.

Feces Fine - It's very important that you clean up after your pet when they are through doing their deed. When you don't, you're liable to pay a fee for the leftover mess.

Parking Fee - Some apartments will charge a fee for you to obtain a parking sticker. However, a majority of them offer this service for free.

Key/Lock Replacement Fee - There isn't one person who hasn't lost a key so apartment managers will assess a fee to change the locks and replace keys so you are still safe while in your home.

Noise Fines - If your neighbors complain too much about the noise level coming from your apartment, chances are you'll have some violations to take care of. Some apartment complexes will add an additional fine for when police are called out to take care of the noise level.

Redecoration Fee - You won't leave the apartment the same way you moved into it. For that, landlords will use the deposit to take care of what needs to be done. If there is a lot of damage to the apartment, you are likely to be charged a redecoration fee to cover the costs.

How can you avoid this from happening to you? Make sure not to place unwanted holes in the wall, keep carpets as clean as possible and tidy up the apartment as you move out.

There are all kinds of fees and fines that landlords will enact to recoup loses they may get hit with. However, these are just 10 of the commonly seen fees. Read your lease thoroughly to find out if there are other fees tacked on.

You certainly don't want to get hit with a fee you didn't know about. If you have any concerns, ask questions. Above all else, remember that knowledge is power.

Seed Newsvine

Bookmark this article in your preferred program

Comments

Add Comment

Popular Articles in this cathegory

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.