Home Responsibilities

1. Am I responsible if something breaks?
If you are renting a place, you are only responsible for handling very minor repairs such as carpet stains or broken light bulbs. If you accidentally damage the property significantly, such as breaking a sliding glass door or hitting the wall and creating a hole, the landlord needs to fix it but it will likely cost you for him/her to make the repairs. If the problem is related to the unit, such as a broken bathroom fan or a leaky faucet, you should be able to safely call your manager or landlord to fix it for you at no cost.

2. How much are pet deposits?
It depends on the size and breed of the pet. Pet deposits can range from $75 - $250 and they are usually due within the first month or two of residency. The amount of the deposit varies to how much the landlord thinks the pet is likely to increase wear and tear of the unit, or cause damage to the premises.

3. What costs are different for apartments and houses?
When you rent a house, the deposits usually cost more because the rent payment is typically larger. You will also be paying for garbage, recycling, water and sewer services. Some apartments include heat, but for houses you will pay for all heating and electricity use too.