Looking to rent my first place

[JimG]

Well, I'm graduating college (hopefully) in a little over a month; so me and one of my friends are looking to rent a house. She has a dog ... soon to be 2 dogs , so apartments are out. So the plan is to rent a house. I was just wondering if anyone here rents a place, and if so, what advice would you give a first-time renter? Also, what can you say to convince the owner to let you have pets?

[kenyg]

take pictures of anything thats wrong with the place.

sometimes, an extra months security deposit will help them get over their pet problem. Better to find a place where they're just plain allowed.

[Knothead]

Being a first-time renter can be a little tough, as many landlords nowadays want references.... maybe you sort of, you know, fake 'em....

Pets are a problem. Landlords hate them because they tend not to be toilet-trained, and as such, cause physical damage to the house.

Maybe you can duct-tape an old modem card to 'em, plus some sunglasses and convince the landlord that they are actually....

....a new type of ROBOT PET!


boy, will they be impressed with YOU!

[JimG]

kenyg,
Interesting idea, didn't think about extra security deposit ... some of the places list with "pets negotiable", those are the ones we would need to convince. I guess the extra money is the negotiation.

Knothead,
Currently her mom rents the house she lives in ... so I'm sorta thinking references there if we need them.
As for the pets, 1 is already toilet-trained, and the other one better be by the time we move in (her pet, her problem). Hehe, I like your idea with the robot dog ... I got plenty of spare modems

Also wanted to know about renter's insurance, like do I need it ...

[kenyg]

You don't HAVE to have renters insurance - the landlord should have insurance on the house - but that won't cover your property. If you're concerned about your stuff - then price it - it's usually not very much.

[Knothead]

On the renter's insurance deal:

It's not to cover the house itself, (as KenyG notes, your landlord is responsible for the property insurance) it is to cover replacing your own property should there be a burglary/fire/disaster.

You'll have to evaluate the likelihood of such in the area....also the value of your possessions. When you add it up, sometimes it isn't worth it, sometimes it is.

And yes, have the g/f's mom give you a sterling reference!

Just make sure the names don't match.

[J-Excel]

I 2nd the taking pictures thing. Landlords don't like to pay back security deposits, and they'll even try to charge you for stuff that was wrong when you moved in.

[Gomer]

renters insurance is pretty cheap.

[Sweet]

...taking the picture thing a step further, just before you move in, take a video camera and do a rundown of everything, open cupboards to get plumbing, walls, outside too....

...pay rent on time so you can get your first solid rental reference...

...check clause for sub-letting... if you get a job and must move, can you re-rent the unit?

...when looking at places and talking to the owner, show a pretty picture of the pet at the appropriate time...

...painting a rental place is one of the cheapest ways to really clean up a place, is it allowed? who pays, u labor, them paint?

...do you own a lawnmower? garden hoses? is that ur responsibility?

...just some thoughts for ya....

Have fun househunting!

[JimG]

Ok, so pictures/video of the place prior to moving in is very important ... thanks, that's a great idea and I like it. Probably videotape cuz I don't own a digital camera, and taking pictures on a roll would require a few rolls.

Renter's insurance is a potential idea ... I'll have to think about it ... most valued possession next to my truck is my desktop, but it's about 40 lbs to carry around.

Sweet,
Both of us have jobs ... so sub-letting won't be an issue. I'll have my job at least 2 years before I decide to switch.

Personally, I'd like to paint it ... only because I KNOW I did a good and proper job of it. Also, as for outside, my dad owns a lawn mower However, I'm gonna save up and get my own. Rest of the stuff I'll either buy or borrow. I'd rather it be my responsibility to take care so I can also show that I'm a good tenant.
The other issue is a fence around the backyard ... dog(s) can't be allowed to run free. I can do it myself, but obviously I need permission and all that.

And yes, have the g/f's mom give you a sterling reference!

Just for clarification ... she's my friend, not my girlfriend. We just get along well together and can't deal with lazy or dirty people (i.e. past or current roommates at college). And I should add she already has a b/f