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| Renting & Leasing |
Interior features considered standard for most Las Vegas apartments include heating, air conditioning, miniblinds, ceiling fans, fully equipped kitchens with a dishwasher and multiple phone lines.
Other features might include nine-foot ceilings, crown molding, oval garden tubs, bay windows, fireplaces or garages or covered parking. In addition, some communities have resident programs that include free and optional services, such as maids, concierges, aerobic classes, guest suites for visitors, free shuttle services and car detailing centers.
WHAT TO EXPECT
After searching, weighing your options and deciding on the property to rent, you will want to get settled into your new home as soon as possible. Luckily, many buildings offer Virtual Leasing Offices on their websites that allow you to start the application process 24 hours a day. Before applying for a rental, you may want to check out your credit record with a report from a consumer-reporting agency to clear up any problems or mistakes on your record. Identity thieves can wreak havoc on your credit without your knowledge, and correcting the damage will need to be started right away because it takes time.
Most apartment communities use standard leases and will require a security deposit ranging from a few hundred dollars to the amount of one month of rent. Under Nevada law, no more than the amount of three months’ rent is permitted. Standard leases cover 6 or 12 months although some communities now offer 7- and 13-month terms. Information and documents to have accessible during the application process include state or federal ID or driver’s license, current and former addresses, current and past employment with dates, credit references, copy of credit report (if available) and bank information.
TIPS BEFORE YOU RENT
Before you sign any rental agreement, make sure you’ve been given a tour of the exact home or apartment that you’re going to rent and not a standard model. If there are any problems with the house or apartment you’ll be moving into, provide a detailed list and give it to the landlord or owner. Indicate that you want these items repaired before you move in. If these items are not fixed by the time you move in, document the things that still need to be repaired or replaced in writing and with photographs. Send a copy to the landlord or owner, and keep a copy for yourself. These things should include any chips in the walls, broken appliances and anything in the space that looks worn or deteriorated. In the event that a deposit is withheld for any of these items, you now have proof that they were there before you moved in.
It’s a good idea to request that the locks are changed before you move into your new place. Once new keys are made, ask the landlord or owner to tell you who has copies of the keys. Usually, the only other people who should have access to your home are the owner or landlord.
TENANTS’ RIGHTS IN NEVADA
When you live in an apartment, you have both rights and responsibilities. Make sure you know what is expected of you and what you can expect in return. All pertinent information will be found in your rental agreement or lease.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
You have a right to demand that the landlord repair any condition that materially affects your health and safety. Under Nevada law, by renting you the property, the landlord guarantees that the unit will be a fit place to live.
ADDRESSING REPAIR ISSUES
Most apartment complexes employ full-time maintenance workers to handle the repairs and perform preventive maintenance, with some offering 24-hour emergency-repair services. If leasing from an owner, be sure to establish the responsibilities for repairs and maintenance.
Depending on your lease, the owner may or may not be responsible for minor problems, such as leaky faucets or issues with appliances. However, if the landlord will not make repairs needed to protect your health, safety or security and you follow the procedures required by law, you may be entitled to do the following:
If the owner or landlord is unresponsive to repairing major problems or avoids meeting with you for any other major dispute after you’ve moved in, take the following steps in this order:
In Nevada, the Silver State Fair Housing Council (www.silverstatefairhousing.org) advocates for equal access to housing in Nevada and provides education and outreach about fair housing rights, processes discrimination complaints and conducts investigations.
Other features might include nine-foot ceilings, crown molding, oval garden tubs, bay windows, fireplaces or garages or covered parking. In addition, some communities have resident programs that include free and optional services, such as maids, concierges, aerobic classes, guest suites for visitors, free shuttle services and car detailing centers.
WHAT TO EXPECT
After searching, weighing your options and deciding on the property to rent, you will want to get settled into your new home as soon as possible. Luckily, many buildings offer Virtual Leasing Offices on their websites that allow you to start the application process 24 hours a day. Before applying for a rental, you may want to check out your credit record with a report from a consumer-reporting agency to clear up any problems or mistakes on your record. Identity thieves can wreak havoc on your credit without your knowledge, and correcting the damage will need to be started right away because it takes time.
Most apartment communities use standard leases and will require a security deposit ranging from a few hundred dollars to the amount of one month of rent. Under Nevada law, no more than the amount of three months’ rent is permitted. Standard leases cover 6 or 12 months although some communities now offer 7- and 13-month terms. Information and documents to have accessible during the application process include state or federal ID or driver’s license, current and former addresses, current and past employment with dates, credit references, copy of credit report (if available) and bank information.
TIPS BEFORE YOU RENT
Before you sign any rental agreement, make sure you’ve been given a tour of the exact home or apartment that you’re going to rent and not a standard model. If there are any problems with the house or apartment you’ll be moving into, provide a detailed list and give it to the landlord or owner. Indicate that you want these items repaired before you move in. If these items are not fixed by the time you move in, document the things that still need to be repaired or replaced in writing and with photographs. Send a copy to the landlord or owner, and keep a copy for yourself. These things should include any chips in the walls, broken appliances and anything in the space that looks worn or deteriorated. In the event that a deposit is withheld for any of these items, you now have proof that they were there before you moved in.
It’s a good idea to request that the locks are changed before you move into your new place. Once new keys are made, ask the landlord or owner to tell you who has copies of the keys. Usually, the only other people who should have access to your home are the owner or landlord.
TENANTS’ RIGHTS IN NEVADA
When you live in an apartment, you have both rights and responsibilities. Make sure you know what is expected of you and what you can expect in return. All pertinent information will be found in your rental agreement or lease.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
You have a right to demand that the landlord repair any condition that materially affects your health and safety. Under Nevada law, by renting you the property, the landlord guarantees that the unit will be a fit place to live.
ADDRESSING REPAIR ISSUES
Most apartment complexes employ full-time maintenance workers to handle the repairs and perform preventive maintenance, with some offering 24-hour emergency-repair services. If leasing from an owner, be sure to establish the responsibilities for repairs and maintenance.
Depending on your lease, the owner may or may not be responsible for minor problems, such as leaky faucets or issues with appliances. However, if the landlord will not make repairs needed to protect your health, safety or security and you follow the procedures required by law, you may be entitled to do the following:
- End the lease.
- Have the problem repaired and deduct the cost of the repair from the rent.
- File suit to force the landlord to make the repairs.
If the owner or landlord is unresponsive to repairing major problems or avoids meeting with you for any other major dispute after you’ve moved in, take the following steps in this order:
- Submit a repair request in writing.
- If this is not acted upon, propose mediation with the owner. There are independent agencies that will hear both sides of a case and help the parties in the dispute come to a reasonable agreement.
- If mediation fails to bring about a resolution, report the owner and your rental home to a local housing authority or building agency. Most often this agency can apply the needed pressure for the owner to understand the importance of your issues and help rectify any problem.
- Only if there are no other recourse options should you consider suing the owner in small claims court. While the outcome could damage the reputation of the owner, if the lawsuit is financial in nature, it may also reflect negatively on your credit report.
In Nevada, the Silver State Fair Housing Council (www.silverstatefairhousing.org) advocates for equal access to housing in Nevada and provides education and outreach about fair housing rights, processes discrimination complaints and conducts investigations.
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Nevada consistently ranks high among the favored states ...
