Looking for a rental home or apartment can be exciting and frustrating.
However, you are more likely to find success when you follow a plan and
know your rights.
Several Wisconsin and federal government web sites provide important advice.
We provide some basic information below. You should refer to the Wisconsin
and federal government sites for more information.
- Know your fair housing rights. Federal
law prohibits housing discrimination based upon race, religion,
sex, family status, or disability. For more information, visit
our page concerning rights and responsibilities.
- Figure out how much you can afford. Some
experts believe that you should budget about 25-30% of your
income on housing. You may need financial assistance to
afford a home. Visit our financial assistance page
for information about the Kenosha Housing Authority financial
assistance services.
- Determine your housing needs. How many
bedrooms do you need? Do you need to live close to schools?
Do you desire easy access to bus service? Make a list before
you start house hunting.
- Shop for the apartment or rental house. Visit
several rental units. You can find apartments or rental homes
through the newspaper, the web, and by visiting the apartment
manager's office. You may need an appointment to visit some
rental homes. Make sure you ask questions concerning who pays
for utilities and responsibilities for repairs. In addition,
to determine whether the department comes with furniture and
appliances. Visit the following sites for more information
related to finding an apartment.
- Don't Rent Trouble.
Our web guide for inspecting a home.
- Apartment
Checklist. Homestore.com's apartment inspection checklist
and comparison form.
- Decide upon a home. Determine the home
that is within your budget and best meets your needs. Use your
checklist to help with the comparison. If you are using some
sort of financial assistance, someone from the assisting agency
may also need to visit the home.
- Fill out the rental application. The
application typically requires information that is used to
perform a credit check. This information may include bank account
numbers, recent pay stubs, employer's phone number, a phone
number of a close relative, and a photo ID.
- Inspect the rental home or apartment. Perform
a detailed inspection of the rental unit. The landlord will
probably have an inspection form that should be filled out.
Alternatively, you can download a form from the HUD site. Make
sure that you write down all blemishes to the rental unit.
In addition, write down any items that should be fixed immediately
by the apartment manager or owner of the unit.
- Sign the lease. The lease is a contract
that defines the terms of the rental arrangement. The terms
usually specify the rental time period (for example, one year),
the monthly payment, your responsibilities as a tenant, and
the landlords responsibilities. The lease will probably require
a security deposit and first months rent. The security deposit
is held until you move out the apartment. After you leave,
the landlord will inspect the apartment, determine the cost
of cleaning and fixing the apartment and then deduct the amount
from the security deposit. The remaining portion of the security
deposit is returned to you.
- Determine whether you desire renter insurance. Renters
insurance can be obtained from many insurance agencies. Renters
insurance protects your possessions in the case of damage (fire,
flood) or theft.
- Move in to the apartment. Moving is a
major project. Local moving companies can help but there is
a significant fee. Consider asking for help from friends or
relatives.
- Maintain your home. Maintenance of your
home is vital. A properly maintained home is a safe home and
is an important part of your lease and possibly a condition
of any financial assistance.
- Obey your lease/rental agreement. Make
sure that you pay your lease and your utilities on time. Obey
any other conditions of your rental agreement (for example,
allowance for noise and guests).
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