FORECLOSURE INTERVENTION

Click Here to return to Housing Resource Guide

As a Renter in Leelanau County, Michigan

Questions to ask Be prepared to rent Renter's Inspection Checklist Renters Insurance Security deposits Guide to signing a lease Prohibited Lease Provisions After moving in Before moving in... Renting in Leelanau County is virtually no different than any other county. You must meet basic criteria, and you have certain rights and responsibilities. Being prepared ahead of time can save you time and money. The following Checklist is a guide for persons seeking to rent a house or apartment in Leelanau County. Following this guide may save you and the landlord many problems and headaches later. Entering into an agreement to rent a dwelling is an important responsibility. Tenants should follow these steps to meet their responsibilities and protect their rights when renting a home. QUESTIONS TO ASK return to top ♦ Can you afford the rent and the utilities? Are there any “extra fees? ♦ Are pets or smoking permitted on the premises? Pet deposits are security deposits? ♦ Do floors have to be covered by rugs? Are window drapes required? ♦ Is the dwelling furnished or unfurnished? ♦ Is the location convenient to work, school, stores, shopping, public transportation, etc? ♦ Is there a laundry room or where is the nearest Laundromat? ♦ Is the property secure? (Sturdy doors, lighted hallways, street lights, etc.) ♦ What work or repairs the landlord will do before you move in? ♦ When will you be able to move in? ♦ When can you get a list of existing damages?  BE PREPARED return to top ♦  Inspect the unit before signing the lease. Keep a written record of the condition  of the unit at the time of the move-in inspection. SEE Inspection checklist ♦ Read and understand your lease agreement with the landlord and be sure you can comply with the lease agreement. ♦ Amount of rent and the date rent is due and amount of the late payment penalty ♦ Start and end dates of the lease agreement ♦ Security deposit amount and interest paid on the security deposit ♦ Right of tenant to request move out inspection (see Security Deposits below) ♦ Right of tenant to list existing damages ♦ Utilities – who pays for gas, electric, heating oil, water, trash ♦ Repairs – who makes them and who pays for repairs ♦ Maintenance and upkeep– who mows grass, removes snow, changes furnace or air conditioner filters, provides for pest extermination, repainting, etc. ♦ Appliances – who provides range, refrigerator, air conditioners; are a washer and dryer allowed ♦ Emergencies/Problems – The landlord should include in the lease or post on the property the following information:(a) the name, address and phone number of the landlord; or(b) the person who is authorized to accept notice or service of process on behalf of the landlord. RENTER'S INSPECTION CHECKLIST return to top Ceilings/Walls/Floors: The ceilings, walls, and floors in each room should be in good condition. They should not have large cracks, severe bulging, water leaks or warping, or large amounts of loose or falling plaster. Electricity and Lighting: Each room should have at least two electric outlets (receptacles). One of these may be a permanent ceiling light fixture. Outlets and switches should not have cracks or missing cover plates. Do not accept frayed or broken wiring. Windows: Every window should be in good working condition and weather tight. The living room, kitchen, and bedrooms should each have a window. If the kitchen does not have a window, it should have an exhaust fan that blows air to the outside of the building. Basement windows that open need locks, storm windows, or rat-proof shields to protect against entry of animals and insects. Paint: Walls and woodwork should not have any chipping or peeling paint. Ask if the landlord repaint the rooms and how often. Are tenants allowed or expected to paint the rooms Locks: Locks should be in good working order on all windows and doors that can be reached from outside the building. Kitchens: The kitchen should have a place to store food, a place to prepare food, and a sink with hot and cold running water. Appliances: Make sure any appliances provided by the landlord, such as stoves or refrigerators, are in good working order. Check them yourself. Will the landlord clean them before you move in Bathrooms: Each bathroom should have a working flush toilet, a sink with hot and cold running water, and an opening window or exhaust fan. Every unit must have a shower or bathtub in good working order. Bathrooms should have a door that closes, making the room private. Roofing: Ask the landlord if the roof leaks. Look very carefully at the ceilings for dark or damp spots. A leaking roof can be one of the most frustrating problems a tenant faces. Make sure both you and the landlord are aware of any existing problems. Stairs and Railings: Make sure railings are firmly attached, and stairs are in good condition. Plumbing: Check for leaking pipes and faucets. Look under sinks for leaking drains. A damp spot on the first floor ceiling may mean a leak from the pipe under the toilet. Turn the sink and tub faucets on all the way and see if they leak around the faucets. If either faucet drips, it will waste water and drive up utility bills. Dripping hot water can increase the cost of heating water. Check water pressure. Run a tub or shower and then turn on the bathroom sink at the same time to see if water pressure drops. Do the drains work properly? Fill the sink or tub first and then pull the plug. Does the water drain quickly or slowly? Does water backup into another drain? This could mean the bathroom or kitchen drains are partially blocked. If the shower area is tiled, look to see if the grout (white lines between the tiles) is loose or missing. Missing grout can cause water leakage in the walls. Heating: If the landlord furnishes heat, ask other tenants, if available, is there adequate heat and hot water during the coldest months. Find out which months heat is provided, and the temperature setting. If the tenant pays for heat, find out: Does the heater work and what kind of fuel is used Does the landlord have the heater serviced each year? Who provides and changes filters used on the heating system? Is there a service contract with a fuel company? How much fuel was used last year and what did it cost to heat? Is the house well insulated and does it have storm windows? From October 1 to May 15, the house temperature should be at least 65 degrees in the day and 60 degrees at night. If you need more heat, be sure that is worked out in advance with the landlord. Gutters and Drains: These need to be secured properly to keep water from coming into the building. Garbage and Trash: The landlord should provide a leak proof garbage can, with a lid, that can be stored outside of the house. Tenants are responsible for keeping the house and yard free of trash and garbage. Trash pickup may or may not be provided by the landlord. Find out what days trash is collected, and where to set it out. Yards: Yards should be free of trash and garbage; they should not be overgrown with weeds, grassland plants. Smoke detectors: Generally, every sleeping area in every residential building must be provided with a working smoke detector, properly installed. The landlord should be responsible for installation and maintenance of smoke detectors. Tenants should not remove detectors and should inform the landlord if a smoke detectors not working. RENTER'S INSURANCE return to top Obtain renter’s insurance to protect against loss of your possessions. The landlord’s insurance does not cover your property.  SECURITY DEPOSITS return to top A security deposit is any money paid, including the final month’s rent paid before it is due, given to the landlord in order to protect the landlord against nonpayment of rent or damages. Important points to remember: ♦ The security deposit cannot be more than two month’s rent. ♦ The landlord must provide a written receipt for security deposits, which may be included in the written lease. ♦ Either the security deposit receipt or the written lease must inform the tenant of his right to receive a written list of all existing damages, IF the tenant makes a written request within the first 15 days of his occupancy. ♦ Security deposits, with interest, must be returned to the tenant within 45 days after the end of the tenancy. However, the landlord may keep any amount of the security deposit because of property damage beyond normal wear and tear, unpaid rent, or damages caused by breach of the lease the tenant. ♦ Tenants may be present at the “move out” inspection of the unit if they notify the landlord by certified mail, at least 15 days before the date of moving from the unit, when they are moving and the tenant’s new address. ♦ Tenants may sue landlords for failing to return security deposits and interest. Take your time in looking over the dwelling; this may be your only chance to inspect before signing the lease and making a deposit. ♦ Write down the condition of each room, the outside of the building, and any shed, garage, fencing, or yard included in the lease. Take dated photos if necessary. ♦ Write down any “existing damages,” or any repairs which need to be made. ♦ If the landlord requires a security deposit, the tenant has the right to receive a written list of existing damages. However, the tenant must make a written request for such a list, within the first 15 days of occupancy. ( NOTE:  Local laws may vary. Consult a professional in your area)  BEFORE SIGNING A LEASE return to top ♦ Read the entire lease carefully. Fill in or cross out any blank spaces. ♦ Understand what each part means and ask questions about anything you do not understand. ♦ Get a signed and dated copy of the lease and keep it in a safe place. ♦ Make sure that everything the landlord agreed to is clearly written in the lease, or on a separate sheet of paper (addendum). Any addendum should be signed and dated and attached to the lease. if the landlord tells you there will be NO WRITTEN LEASE, carefully repeat (and preferably write down) everything the landlord has promised. Be sure the landlord knows that you are aware of what he/she has promised. The tenant may want to provide the landlord with a note or letter stating the terms of any verbal agreement.  PROHIBITED LEASE PROVISIONS return to top Do not sign a lease with any of the following terms. They are illegal. ♦ “Confess judgment” – Tenant agrees to allow the landlord to file a judgment without going to court on any claim arising from the lease. ♦ Tenant agrees to any right or remedy provided by law. ♦ Tenant agrees to pay a late penalty of more than allowed by law. ♦ Tenant waives his/her right to a jury trial. ♦ Tenant agrees to accept a shorter period for notice to vacate than is provided bylaw (i.e., at least 30 days). (Both can agree to a longer notice period.) ♦ Tenant agrees to allow Landlord to take possession of the premises or tenant’s property without ending the lease or without the landlord going to court. ♦ The landlord is held harmless from injury or damage caused by the landlord in areas of the leased property not controlled by the tenant (such as stairways, halls, courtyards and elevators).  Before you move in, make sure that all promises made by the landlord prior to you moving in have been kept and work is completed.  AFTER MOVING IN return to top Pay the rent when due and follow the terms of your lease. If the landlord gives you a grace period to pay the rent, pay when agreed. Keep records of your rent payments and any letters you send to or receive from your landlord. Keep the premises clean and in good condition. Clean the unit when you move out, including the range and refrigerator. Report any problems or needed repairs promptly to the landlord. It is best to do this in writing. We hope you found this information useful

Housing Resource Guide | About Leelanau County | About REACH | Homes 4 Sale |Homeowners | Renters | Landlords | Foreclosure Intervention |Resource Links |Home
email: RCrummel@co.leelanau.mi.us
Address: Leelanau REACH, P.O. Box 546 Leland MI 49654 231-256-9812