Padzilla Blog: Tenant Tips for Living Large and More

It’s true. Some landlords are always going to be picky; however, my experience has been that most are very grateful if their tenant does a thorough job of cleaning. In fact, when you turn-over the keys, there will be a smile on their face if they find the following:

1. A clean, empty fridge and clean stove
2. All rugs and floors vacuumed
3. Bath tub, sink and toilet scrubbed
4. All, I mean all, furnishings removed

All told, once you move out your furniture, the cleaning described above in numbers 1-3 might, might amount to 3 hours good work. Let’s say your security deposit is $900.00. That means you are really getting paid at a rate of about $300/per hour for that work. Not bad! No taxes on it either.

Remember, clean means all the crumbs out of the stove, and all grease and stains removed as well. It means take all food and other items out of the fridge, and properly dispose of them. Do not leave a big bag of trash for your Owner! Take 3 minutes and walk it to the dumpster…

If you handle these 4 things, most landlords will happily return your security deposit without deduct (assuming there has been no damage).

Flip it around, if you fail to do these things, the landlord will due the work or pay someone to do they work, and they will make the $300/per hour. Can you afford to easily part with 900 big ones?

Think of it this way, when you go looking for an apartment, what places in the apartment can make or break the deal for you. Yes, the bathroom or kitchen. Did you ever rent a place with a filthy, unclean bathroom, or kitchen? I bet not. Well, whoever is renting after you will be looking at those same places in your former unit.

Since re-renting your former unit as quickly as possible is critical to most Owners, the above list details for them what are the most crucial issues related to your leaving. By tackling these four in an expert, thorough fashion, you are making the Owner’s life easier. And, they will, in most part, reward you for it.

Tim Murphy
Padzilla.com

PS: always turn off all the lights, and remember to lock the door when you leave.

Few things guarantee the filing of an ugly Tenancy Report with my company, Tenant-Net, than the willful destruction of an Owners property or apartment. See a sample report here.

OK, your Owner said something you didn’t like. Or, he’s threatened to file an eviction, or he has filed and you have a Court date. You think: I”LL SHOW HIM!

You take every light bulb, or you flip dog doodoo against the wall, pee on the rug, or you pull out the toilet. Believe me, it’s not a new idea, someone has already done it before, and probably regrets doing it…

STOP, THINK, PAUSE, AND NOODLE.

Ever hear of the golden rule? It’s simply wrong to vandalize property!

OK, maybe that doesn’t persuade you. Try this…

We have an expression here that says: It’s cheaper to obey the law. In other words, look at it from a dollars and cents point of view, meaning your dollars! Many laws are designed to financially punish folks who violate them.

You are responsible for everything that goes on in the unit whether you are there or not. In other words, they do not need film of you damaging the unit. It’s your apartment. You are liable for all that happens there.

In short, it could well cost you money, serious money, to enjoy the privilege of damaging an apartment. You’ll lose your security deposit, and you will probably get sued for damages. Any idea what lawyers cost? I can tell you… a lot!

So, save yourself a ton of DOUGH! Never, ever damage a unit. Living Large requires having respect for the rules of civil society.

Tim Murphy
Padzilla.Com

If getting paid is your apartment owner’s top priority, a close second is a peaceful building.

KEEP THE PEACE AT ALL TIMES!

Creating a disturbance, holding loud parties, and, especially bothering (or threatening) any other tenant, are about the fastest way to irritate your owner. Owners want the occupants to get along quietly and peacefully.

Owners absolutely hate disturbances, fights, visits by the police, etc. An adjunct of this is never, ever, conduct any illegal activity at your apartment or from your apartment. It is a guaranteed way to get evicted should the details emerge.

Remember if you signed a lease, it likely contains a peaceful use clause. That means you promised to live quietly with your neighbors, at all times.

The fact that your buddy is just in from California, and it’s the weekend, and you’ve got this new killer stereo, and the latest Lady GAGA CD, is not sufficient warrant to breach the quiet use condition.

In other words, a disturbance of others by you is most likely a BREACH OF YOUR LEASE. Cause enough problems, particularly with other tenants, and your owner will file for an eviction.

As an attorney, I know and can assure you Courts have little sympathy for troublemakers. Worse, you’ll end up spending money on lawyers. Trust me; there are better, smarter ways to spend your time and money.

If you want to LIVE LARGE, and who doesn’t, then getting there requires keeping calm, cool, quiet and collected…

Tim Murphy
Padzilla.Com

OK, so you know that timely payment is key #1. But what do you do if you cannot pay… honestly, cannot pay.

Key #3. Owner-managers want folks to pay on time, but sometimes that is impossible. If it is impossible, tell the owner why.

NEVER EVER LIE. TELL THE REAL REASON.

That will get you some time as almost all the manager-owners I know will have some limited patience/flexibility. But, here is the deal if you need to do this. Landlords do not want to be abused.

Follow this plan: First, pay something. Do not or expect to pay ZERO. Even if its 50% of the rent, or 33% of that month’s rent, pay something! Most important, set up a plan with your Owner that you can meet, a plan that shows how the next month gets paid, and how the arrearage gets paid.

KEY #3.1 faithfully follow the plan. Do everything in your power to catch up.

Do not buy a big screen TV, or go on a Carnival Cruise, while you are asking your Owner to take a hit! That’s called: BAD FAITH. It s breach of the trust your owner has extended by the late payment agreement.

If you get extra funds, and can catch up, quickly pay them to the owner. All this can play to your ADVANTAGE. If you follow through as promised, and you catch up, your Owner will gain RESPECT for you.

Everyone has lean times, it’s how you act and treat people that wins or loses points. LIVING LARGE, in other words, depends on acting in good faith.

Tim Murphy
Padzilla.Com