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Living
off campus begins many new relationships that you
otherwise might not have. Among these new relationships
is the one that will exist between you and your
management or property owner. As with any relationship,
it can take many directions. Some tenants have an
excellent rapport with their management/property owners;
others have not been so lucky.
The resources listed below are designed to assist you in
upholding the expectations that are established for you
as a tenant. By following the guidelines and suggestions
that are highlighted, you can be sure to make the
relationship that you have with your management a
productive and professional one.
Annotations
to the Texas Apartment Association (TAA) Lease
The paragraphs will clarify and explain
some important sections in the Texas Apartment
Association Lease Contract. The paragraph
numbers correspond to sections in the TAA lease.
There are 43 sections that are discussed. Subjects
covered include parties, contract term, security deposit,
keys, rent and charges, utilities, security rights,
repair requests, and many other very important areas. The
highlights that are provided here will help anyone who
signs a TAA lease better understand the agreement.
Average
Security Deposit Deductions
Any damages that occur to the property
while you reside there will be deducted from the initial
security deposit. Averages of these deductions are based
on the lists provided by different apartment complexes
and property managers in the Bryan/College Station area.
Prices will vary from management to management. Use
this only as a guide during your move-out process.
Remember to use the Move-In/Move-Out Condition Inventory
forms for assessing damages.
Forms
Helpful forms, sample letters, templates and printable documents that relate to
off campus living.
Getting
Your Deposit Back
If you have fulfilled all of the
conditions for the return of your deposit, then your
manager is required to refund your security deposit
and/or to provide you with a written, itemized list of
any deductions within 30 days after you vacate.
Leaving Before Your Lease Term is Up ("Breaking Your Lease")
If you find yourself needing to move out before the term of lease
expires, you need to be well informed of the possible consequences of breaking
your lease. A tenant should thoroughly investigate his or her options before
terminating a lease before its closing date. This page describes many of the
decision factors that come into play in these situations and describes three
options that exist: negotiation, subleasing, and re-leasing.
Move-In/Move-Out Condition Inventory
This form or one provided
by your management should be completed within 48 hours of
move-in and upon move-out. Preferably, it should be
completed while the apartment is still empty. After
you have completed this form, each resident and the
manager/leasing agent should sign it. A copy should
be submitted to the manager/leasing agent and one should
be retained by each resident for their records.
This is to record the condition of your property when you
move-in and when you move-out. It will assist you in
retaining the amount of the security deposit that is due
you.
Moving Out
Necessary things to remember as a tenant moves out are outlined here.
Notice to Vacate
At least 30 days before you plan to move out (some leases may require
60 or 90 days), notify your
manager or property owner of your intentions, even if it
is when your lease expires. This form may be
provided by your management, and they also are available
in our office. It is a good idea to get the owner's
acknowledgement of this notification in writing for your
own records.
Subleasing
A sublease is an agreement in which you rent your apartment to another
person with the property owner’s permission. Before you consider this
alternative, be sure to ask your manager if subleasing is allowed. If
subleasing is allowed, you become a sub-manager. You will still be held
responsible for the apartment, including damages and rent. You are not entitled
to receive your security deposit back until your lease term ends. Some property
owners have agreement arrangements designed for such circumstances.
The
"How To's" of Repairs
Read your lease and locate the clause
concerning repairs and maintenance. The lease will state
what responsibilities, if any, the owner will assume
concerning repairs and maintenance. Not all leases
require that the manager/property owner make ordinary
repairs. This page outlines what steps are
required by most TAA leases to get repairs made. Also,
information on the channels to take when repairs are not
made also is provided.
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