American Tenant

Product Details

The Expert Guide to Finding Your Best Deal as a Tenant.

Whether you're a first-time renter or a seasoned tenant, it's crucial to know your rights and find the best deals on rental properties--especially at a time when renting is a more popular option than ever. Backed by decades of real estate experience, American Tenant lays out all the issues you need to know--the questions to ask, what to expect, and how to interpret and negotiate leases. Drawn from years of experience helping thousands of clients, American Tenant delivers everything you need to know to get the most from your tenant/landlord relationship.

Everything U Need to Know About Your Rights as a Renter:

• Information on credit and background checks.
• Tools and techniques to negotiate your lease.
• Explanations of your civil rights.
• Agreements about maintenance and repair.
• Ways to handle roommates, evictions, and many other issues.

BONUS CD-ROM FEATURES: Rental forms PLUS Landlord-tenant laws for all 50 states!

Biographical Note:

Trevor Rhodes is the founder and CEO of AmerUSA, the nation's trusted partners in real estate to both homeowners and investors, and is a nationally recognized leading authority in real estate.

Table of Contents

• Introduction.
• Chapter 1: Discovering Your Inner Tenant: Getting to "Know Yourself" Before You Apply.
  • The Landlord-Tenant Relationship.
  • Consumer Credit Report.
  • Criminal Records.
  • Eviction Records.
• Chapter 2: Renting 101: Looking for a Place to Live.
  • Where to Look.
  • Functional, Not Fanciful.
  • Budgeting Yourself.
  • Location, Location, Location.
  • House Vs. Apartment.
• Chapter 3: Before You Sign on the Dotted Line, Part I: The Pre-Leasing Tour of the Property.
  • What to Look For.
  • What Questions to Ask.
  • What to Agree To.
  • What Not to Agree To.
• Chapter 4: Before you Sign on the Dotted Line, Part II: Negotiating a Lease Agreement.
  • A Sample Lease Agreement.
  • Understanding Each Clause.
  • How to Negotiate Your List of Demands.
• Chapter 5: Moving In: Why the First 24 Hours Is Critical.
  • Capturing the Moment.
  • Assessment of Condition.
  • Addressing Issues.
• Chpater 6: Pets and Other Animals: How to Rent with Your Little/Big Roommates.
  • Fish Tanks.
  • Cats.
  • Dogs.
  • Exotic Animals.
  • Pet Agreements and Deposits.
  • Pet Owner Responsiblities.
• Chapter 7: The Monthly Rent: Paid as Agreed.
  • Making the Payment.
  • Being Late.
  • Bouncing Your Rent Check.
  • Rent Increases.
  • Rent Control.
• Chapter 8: Moving Out: What to Do Before It's Time to Say Goodbye.
  • Notifying Your Landlord.
  • Cleaning Up After Yourself.
  • Reassessing the Property's Condition.
• Chapter 9: Security Deposits: How to Get Your Money Back.
  • Security Deposit Limits.
  • The Right to Accrue Interest.
  • Deadlines for Returning Security Deposits.
  • The Top Reasons for Losing Your Security Deposit.
  • Life Expectancy of Common Household Items.
  • How to Handle a Security Deposit Dispute.
• Chapter 10: Basic Tenant Rights: A Safe, Secure and Enjoyable Place to Rent.
  • Privacy.
  • Security.
  • Noisy Neighbors.
  • Habitable Living Conditions.
  • Discrimination.
  • How and Where to Get Help.
• Chatper 11: Minor Maintenance and Repairs: Getting the Small Jobs Taken Care Of.
  • Who's Responsible for What?
  • Provide a Written Request.
  • Taking Action Against your Landlord.
  • Filing a Small Claims Lawsuit.
• Chapter 12: How to Break a Lease: ...Without It Breaking You.
  • What to Do.
  • What Not to Do.
  • Possible Consequences.
  • Lawful Reasons.
• Chapter 13: Eviction: Knowing When to Hold 'Em or Fold 'Em.
  • What Is an Eviction?
  • The Eviction Process.
  • How to Defend Against and Eviction.
  • Options after the Verdict.
• Chapter 14: Becoming a Homeowner. Renting Vs. Owning.
  • Qualifying for a Mortgage Loan.
  • Leasing with an Option to Buy.
  • How to Shop for a Home.
• Conclusion.
• Appendix A: Landlord-Tenant Laws: A Summary of State Guidelines.
  • Returned Check Fees.
  • Security Deposit Limits.
  • Security Deposit Interest Requirements.
  • Deadlines for Returning Security Deposits.
  • Notice of Entry Requirements.
  • Late Fees.
• Appendix B: Government Forms and Publications: Landlord Responsibilites.
  • Are You a Victim of Housing Discrimination?
  • Fair Housing: Equal Opportunity for All.
  • Lead-Based Paint Pamphlet.
  • Lead-Based Paint Disclosure.
  • FCRA Summary of Rights.
• Appendix C: FHA: The Fair Housing Act.
  • The Fair Housing Act.
• Appendix D: Bonus CD-ROM: The American Tenant Resource Center.
  • Installation Instructions.
  • Terms of Use.
  • How to Personalize a Rental Form.
  • The End Result.
• Index.