When you're figuring out how much rent you can afford for your next Houston apartment, don't forget to factor in the fees and deposits you'll need to pay during the leasing process, and fees you may be charged as you move out of your previous home. Some fees are to be expected. Other fees your potential landlord may try to charge are questionable at best, and may even be illegal. Here's a quick guide to apartment rental fees you can expect to pay, and fees that are red flags.
Fees to Expect
Apartment Guide offers this quick list of common—and perfectly legal—fees you might expect to pay when renting an apartment, depending on your situation. Expect to pay a reasonable application fee to cover a credit and background check, but be sure the check will actually be run (more on this below). You should also plan for a security deposit, some or all of which you may get back when you move out. Deposit amounts vary, but you could be required to pay up to twice the amount of your monthly rent.
For specific situations, you may be charged other common fees, including a reasonable pet deposit, fees for garbage removal, and a fee or extra rent for an on-site parking space. Your lease should also clearly explain any fees that may be charged if you're a less-than-perfect tenant, including fees for late rent payment, for replacing lost keys, for noise violations, and for undoing your extreme decorating choices (such as painting your walls black or doing major DIY projects) after you've moved out. Be sure to read your lease carefully before you sign. These fees should be clearly described in writing, and you should not sign your agreement unless you're willing to accept them.
Fees You Shouldn't Have to Pay
MSN Real Estate offers this list of common apartment fees that are abusive and often illegal. Overnight guest fees and fees charged when your landlord promises to hold your apartment are not legal. Also watch out for vague “administrative fees” and anything called a “nonrefundable deposit.”
Some types of fees are to be expected up to a point, but are often abused. Fees for late rent payment are to be expected, but unreasonably punishing fees are illegal. Rentlaw.com explains how “fair and reasonable” late fees should be figured. Application fees are not fair if the potential landlord has no intention of running a background or credit check. Make sure the check is actually run, or offer to provide a copy of your credit report, yourself. Fees for repairs, decorating, or cleaning (or money taken out of your security deposit for these reasons) should only be paid if you have been negligent. Otherwise, normal maintenance and preparing your apartment for the next tenant are your landlord's responsibility.
Posted by Melanie Belasco Levy on 04/07/11
