Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - I need some help with family conflict and moving out

Poppinjay · 08-26-2008, 06:42 AM

I always go by the 25% of monthly income rent if paying a car loan. If the car is paid for, then rent can be 33% of your monthly income.

You'll also have some signifigant starter costs. I really think it's much easier to rent from a landlord than a rental corporation. A landlord may try to cheat you, but a corp will have myriad rules and regs to drain your bank account (amenities fees, two times rent deposits, carpet charges, paint charges etc.)

Be aware of state rules regarding replacement of carpet and painting. VA requires rental owners to replace carpets every two years. In the end, argue every charge if you think you're right. Don't take their word for it that the work has been done, they have to have records. Also, even if it's obvious the carpet is clean when you move in, you may see spots start to appear after two weeks or so. that means they did a surface clean, not that you're becoming messy.

We changed apartments in northern VA recently. The inspection consisted of a maintenance man coming to the front door, looking around from the stoop, and saying we would need partial paint, carpet, and cleaning. We had re-painted, the carpet hadn't been replaced in 7 years, and the place was spic and span.

Then we got a bill for it all, $1100. Fortunately for us, my SO is a frickin' bulldog when it comes to money. She argued it down to $200, which was still a ripoff. Our paintjob was better than the one we moved into, that was done by a supposed professional.

We also rent from a private owner down on the middle peninsula. First and last month's rent, no problems. And it's a non-smoking building.

08-26-2008, 06:42 AM	#12 (permalink)
Poppinjay You had me at hello Location: DC/Coastal VA	I always go by the 25% of monthly income rent if paying a car loan. If the car is paid for, then rent can be 33% of your monthly income. You'll also have some signifigant starter costs. I really think it's much easier to rent from a landlord than a rental corporation. A landlord may try to cheat you, but a corp will have myriad rules and regs to drain your bank account (amenities fees, two times rent deposits, carpet charges, paint charges etc.) Be aware of state rules regarding replacement of carpet and painting. VA requires rental owners to replace carpets every two years. In the end, argue every charge if you think you're right. Don't take their word for it that the work has been done, they have to have records. Also, even if it's obvious the carpet is clean when you move in, you may see spots start to appear after two weeks or so. that means they did a surface clean, not that you're becoming messy. We changed apartments in northern VA recently. The inspection consisted of a maintenance man coming to the front door, looking around from the stoop, and saying we would need partial paint, carpet, and cleaning. We had re-painted, the carpet hadn't been replaced in 7 years, and the place was spic and span. Then we got a bill for it all, $1100. Fortunately for us, my SO is a frickin' bulldog when it comes to money. She argued it down to $200, which was still a ripoff. Our paintjob was better than the one we moved into, that was done by a supposed professional. We also rent from a private owner down on the middle peninsula. First and last month's rent, no problems. And it's a non-smoking building. __________________ I think the Apocalypse is happening all around us. We go on eating desserts and watching TV. I know I do. I wish we were more capable of sustained passion and sustained resistance. We should be screaming and what we do is gossip. -Lydia Millet Last edited by Poppinjay; 08-26-2008 at 06:46 AM..