Tenant Responsibilities Checklist

These responsibilities are written with an apartment, condominium, or townhouse rental tenant in mind, however, most of these responsibilities should also be applied when in a Rent to Own/Lease Purchase program. When you RTO/Lease Purchase you start out as a tenant until you have completed the deal’s terms and are now the homeowner. While you are a tenant under the RTO/Lease Purchase terms, utilize this check list of responsibilities and you will be an excellent tenant until you become the homeowner.

o   The number one issue the seller/landlord faces is rent collection. Pay the rent on time. Keep in mind that during this time you may be working to repair any possible credit score issues so you can get that mortgage and take homeownership of the property. Failure to pay rent on time may result in late fees, the basis for eviction and forfeiture of your deposit. Inability to pay rent because of job loss, financial hardship, or medical problems will not stop an eviction.

o   The biggest responsibility of the tenant/buyer is to abide by the terms of the Rent to Own/Lease Purchase agreement.

o   You must obey all health and safety provisions of the building codes.

o   Keep the property and the surrounding area clean and in good condition.

o   You must keep all plumbing clean.

o   You must use the facilities in a reasonable manner including electrical, heating, air conditioning, plumbing, appliances, and elevators.

o   Maintain the smoke detector, fire extinguisher, and carbon monoxide detector. While the seller/ landlord is responsible in most states for providing these, in most states the tenant/buyer is responsible for maintaining them. This means not removing them and replacing the batteries at a minimum yearly.

o   Notify the seller/landlord if you will be on an extended leave so the seller/landlord may make sure the property is secured and keep an eye on it (If the seller/landlord is local). You must keep the rent current while you are on leave.

o   Purchase Renters Insurance until you become the homeowner. The seller/landlord is not responsible for your personal belongings in the event of a disaster or break in.

o   Notify the seller/landlord immediately by phone and in writing if the property needs repair.

o   Give the seller/landlord permission to enter the property at reasonable times and with advance notice (24-48 hours is common) to inspect or to make any necessary repairs.

o   You must not disturb your neighbors’ peaceful enjoyment of the premises or surrounding area.

o   When you empty your personal trash in a condominium or townhouse environment, be sure it all goes in the big trash container or dumpster. If some of your trash falls on the ground, pick it up and put it in the dumpster.

o   Always use common sense and good manners.

The following responsibilities are aimed at apartment, condominium or townhouse renters:

Ø  Do not move additional people in without landlord approval.

Ø  Never sneak a pet in. It violates the terms of the rental agreement and isn’t fair to the animal.

Ø  When moving out, give the landlord proper advance notice. Read your lease agreement for the terms.

Ø  Remember to leave the home in the same or better condition as when you moved in. If you damaged the home or left it filthy, the landlord may charge you for cleaning or repairs he has to do after you move.

Ø  When requesting your Security Deposit refund, notify your landlord of your new address or an address to mail the security deposit to.

Ø  At the end of your lease, the landlord always has a legal right not to renew the lease and does not have to provide you a reason for this decision.

Ø  Be sure to return your keys to the landlord on the day you move out of the home. If you decide to mail your keys to your landlord, then you should send them via certified mail, in a padded envelope to ensure that the keys do not tear through the envelope. If you give your landlord the keys in person, request that the landlord sign a receipt showing that the keys have been returned.

Ø  If you move out before your lease ends, the landlord may charge you for the remainder of the lease until he re-rents the home. Your lease may also state that your landlord can charge you a set amount for breaking the lease.