Re: Help with possible new rental questions

[Guest guest]

On Sat, Jan 10, 2009 at 6:14 PM, <Jsverdlove@...> wrote:

> We're desperately seeking a safe rental and I have a few questions about a

> place I saw:

If it was me, I wouldn't gamble with my health.

Not in this buyers market. Did it perhaps seem like he already warned you?

Of course, this has already been hashed out many times here,

warning signs like " this building has been *flooded* but " cleaned up " . "

or " This building has been through a *fire* "

Buyers and renters really have to watch out these days for places that

may have been *foreclosures* or *abandoned*.

When a building is vacant, things can go very wrong, very fast.

Often it takes a fire before anybody notices things are " off " .

That can be months or even years

after the problem (like flooding) started.

Did you make any inquiries with neighbors or other tenants in neighboring units

about the fire, or about how good the landlord is about making repairs?

Another thing that potential tenants can do is check with the local

Building Department

(ask to see their files on the building, and ask if the landlord is

good about making repairs

when code violations are reported.

(assuming that they regularly inspect buildings, which they should)

many cities now allow you to look up an address or lot number and see

the permit and violations.

Increasingly you can also look up the landlord's last name and see all

the lawsuits they

may have been in. If they are in court a LOT, even if it appears that

they seem to always win,

its a very bad sign because good tenants tend to want to STAY in well

maintained buildings...

Also, check with local tenant advocacy groups.

Some landlords are good at keeping their side of the bargain,

others are notoriously known for constantly ripping off deposits, etc.

Hang in there!

[Guest guest]

Great information Live. While I think I already know all this, it is a great

printout as a reminder and will make a nice flyer with a few touches that I will

hand out to various people.

 

Thanks

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

   Atheism is a non-prophet organization.    

> We're desperately seeking a safe rental and I have a few questions about a

> place I saw:

If it was me, I wouldn't gamble with my health.

Not in this buyers market. Did it perhaps seem like he already warned you?

Of course, this has already been hashed out many times here,

warning signs like " this building has been *flooded* but " cleaned up " . "

or " This building has been through a *fire* "

Buyers and renters really have to watch out these days for places that

may have been *foreclosures* or *abandoned*.

When a building is vacant, things can go very wrong, very fast.

Often it takes a fire before anybody notices things are " off " .

That can be months or even years

after the problem (like flooding) started.

Did you make any inquiries with neighbors or other tenants in neighboring units

about the fire, or about how good the landlord is about making repairs?

Another thing that potential tenants can do is check with the local

Building Department

(ask to see their files on the building, and ask if the landlord is

good about making repairs

when code violations are reported.

(assuming that they regularly inspect buildings, which they should)

many cities now allow you to look up an address or lot number and see

the permit and violations.

Increasingly you can also look up the landlord's last name and see all

the lawsuits they

may have been in. If they are in court a LOT, even if it appears that

they seem to always win,

its a very bad sign because good tenants tend to want to STAY in well

maintained buildings...

Also, check with local tenant advocacy groups.

Some landlords are good at keeping their side of the bargain,

others are notoriously known for constantly ripping off deposits, etc.

Hang in there!