NOTE: This is a Web Sampler. Information about the complete publication and how to order it is available here.

See our other RentWise products:
08310 RentWise: Guia & organizador para inquilinos (Spanish version of Workbook)
08401 RentWise: The Game CD
08435 RentWise: Protecting Your Properties

Introduction

The RentWise: Renter's Workbook and Organizer helps you be a successful renter. It is a unique and practical resource for experienced and new renters alike. There are two parts to the Workbook and Organizer. The Workbook (the book you are currently looking at) includes nine sections with basic, easy-to-understand information:

• Communication and Conflict Resolution
• Managing Your Money
• Finding a Place to Call Home
• Getting Through the Rental Process
• Your Credit Report
• Moving In
• Taking Care of a Home
• Energy Actions to Save Money and Increase Comfort
• When You Move Out

There are notes pages at the end of the Workbook for your convenience.

The Organizer (the folder surrounding the Workbook) provides a file to store important rental records such as the lease, rent receipts, letters to and from the property manager, and other important records. The checklist on the back pocket lists items that should be kept. Good record keeping makes it easier to look up information in case of a problem or an emergency. The Organizer includes six Worksheets and a Resource Guide in the front pocket. The worksheets help you develop a plan to manage your money, figure out housing needs, record the move-in condition of your rental unit, and pull together a rental history. They include:

• Estimating Monthly Income (Worksheet 1)
• Estimating Monthly Expenses (Worksheet 2)
• Determine Your Housing Needs (Worksheet 3)
• Rental Survey (Worksheet 4)
• Sample Rental Application (Worksheet 5)
• Sample Tenant's Resume (Worksheet 6)
• Rental Condition Checklist (Worksheet 7)
• Resource Guide

Topics in this publication are taught more extensively in a nine-hour RentWise course as part of the RentWise Tenant Certificate Education Program of the University of Minnesota Extension. Individuals who complete this program earn a certificate to show potential property managers their desire to be good tenants. For information on RentWise training programs in your community, contact your property manager, the local housing authority, or your Regional Extension Center.

Table of Contents

Communication and Conflict Resolution

Without good communication skills it is difficult to maintain a positive working relationship with your property manager and your neighbors. Maintaining positive relationships is important because it makes renting and living close to each other more enjoyable. You need to get along with your property manager because you need good references to rent another apartment. The following information can help you know who to talk to about a problem, how to get your point across, how to be a good listener, and how to settle conflicts.

Property Manager or Neighbor: Who Should I Talk to about the Problem?

When problems come up, it may be hard to know who to talk to. Some problems, such as a leaky sink or a broken security door should be reported to your property manager. Problems such as noise, tenants parking in the wrong parking space, or kids running in the hallway should be discussed with your neighbor. Tenants should try to resolve neighbor problems between themselves. Involve the property manager as a last resort. Property managers do not appreciate being asked to get involved in neighbor problems.

Active Listening

In high stress situations we are often so busy being upset that we don't listen to what is being said to us. In many cases we assume we know what the person is going to say and are busy thinking about our response rather than what is actually being said. Use active listening skills to avoid conflicts:

• Face the person who is speaking and focus your attention on what is said.
• Don't interrupt except to ask questions to clear up things you do not understand.
• When the person finishes, restate in your own words what you heard said.
• Ask the person if he/she thinks you correctly heard what was said.
• Respond to what the person said.

Positive Messages

Positive messages go a long way toward solving communication problems. Just as our emotions can get in the way of listening, they can get in the way of clearly expressing ourselves. We do so much accusing or blaming that we don't communicate what we really want from the other person.

RULE 1 - Own the message. Use "I," not "you" or "they" or "we." Example: "I want you to move your car out of my parking spot" instead of, "You always park in my spot."

RULE 2 - Discuss one issue at a time. Don't use the "laundry list" approach.

RULE 3 - Describe the facts of the situation:

• What needs to be repaired or changed
• What you have already done to fix it
• How it is affecting you and your family

RULE 4 - Don't call the other person names or make accusations because:

• You will put him/her on the defensive
• He/she may meet your negative expectation
• All you really know is what has happened to you

RULE 5 - Start a conversation in a conflict situation only when you are calm and can stay calm.

Communicating With Your Property Manager

STEP 1 - Before you call, document the situation:

• What happened?
• When did you notice it?
• What have you already done about it?
• What do you want done?

STEP 2 - Call the property manager and give him/ her the information about the situation.

STEP 3 - After the property manager responds, restate in your own words what was said.

STEP 4 - Ask the property manager if he/she thinks you correctly heard what was said.

STEP 5 - Respond to what he/she said.

Sample Letter to Property Manager

The sample letter below is made up. When you write your letter use the current date and real names, addresses, and phone numbers. Give the full name and address of the person to whom you are supposed to request repairs as stated in your lease agreement. Change the sample letter so that it has information about your situation and the people you have been dealing with.

Do not make threats unless you know that you can legally carry them out and have specific actions in mind. For example, do not threaten to withhold rent, unless an attorney or a rental counselor advises this. Be specific about the repair, when you first noticed the problem, what you have done to fix it, and prior contacts requesting repairs.

Steps in Settling a Conflict

Many of us try to avoid conflicts. However, that is not always possible or even a good idea. Some conflict is inevitable. It is usually best to find a solution rather than to ignore the issue and hope that it will go away. Use active listening and positive messages to settle many conflicts. The following guidelines below are helpful:

STEP 1 - Set a time to meet when you are both calm and not busy.

STEP 2 - Begin by giving the other person a "positive message" about what is bothering you.

STEP 3 - Listen carefully to the other person's point of view.

STEP 4 - Decrease areas of disagreement by finding areas where you agree.

STEP 5 - Offer solutions where you both give a little and get a lot.

STEP 6 - Don't force a solution.

STEP 7 - If you cannot resolve the conflict, suggest a mediator whom you both respect.

Property Manager or Resident: Who Should Make Repairs?

If something goes wrong in your rental unit such as a lack of hot water or a broken window, figure out if it is something you should fix yourself. Property managers do not like late night calls to fix a problem easily solved by the tenant. Unplugging a toilet or sink, changing light bulbs, or replacing batteries in a smoke detector are things tenants can easily fix themselves. Likewise property managers want to know in a timely fashion about serious problems, especially problems that damage the building such as a water leak.

Repairs and Government Regulations

Property Manager Responsibilities:

• Corrects building or housing code violations affecting the unit or common areas.*
• Provides hot and cold water and operational sewage drains.*
• Maintains heating equipment so that it is safe and capable of keeping temperatures at 67°F or warmer.*
• Keeps electrical system in safe operating condition.*
• Corrects other defects that could cause a substantial safety risk to tenants.
• Makes repairs required by normal wear and tear.
• Maintains common areas in reasonable condition.
• Maintains equipment and common spaces.

* If any of these conditions are not met in the home to be rented or in the common areas of the building, the property manager must disclose the problem before renting.

Tenant Responsibilities:

• Pays for or makes simple repairs required because of the tenants. Property managers may choose to make such repairs at tenant's expense.
• Pay for or perform simple maintenance required to keep plumbing and other equipment in working order.
• Report problems to property manager as soon as they are noticed.

Handouts regarding how to make simple, safe repairs are included in the Facilitators Manual.

Table of Contents

Finding a Place to Call Home

Finding an affordable, appropriate, and safe place to live can be a challenge. In many urban areas there isn't enough affordable housing to meet the demand. In many rural areas property managers hesitate to rent to people they do not know. It takes hard work and creativity to find a good place to live. Many renters make the decision to rent without thinking through what they want, what they need, and what they can afford. Often the housing search is difficult because of limited time and transportation issues as well as few affordable housing options.

Determine Your Housing Needs

Use the Determine Your Housing Needs (Worksheet 3) in the Organizer to prepare for an efficient, successful search for rental housing.

Where to Look for Information

Some places to look for housing information include: family or friends, newspapers, Yellow Pages, rental magazines, grocery store bulletin boards, "For Rent" signs, non-profit housing agencies, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, places of worship, and moving sales.

Steps to Finding a Place to Live

• Determine what is affordable (Worksheets 1&2 in the Organizer).
• Identify resources.
• Determine housing needs (Worksheet 3 in the Organizer).
• Develop a system to compare rental units (Worksheet 4 in the Organizer).
• Organize information on the Sample Rental Application (Worksheet 5 in the Organizer).
• If needed, prepare a Renter's resume (Worksheet 6 in the Organizer).

Checking Out the Unit and Property Manager

Things you should do before renting:

INSPECT THE UNIT. Is it clean and in good repair? Does the property manager agree to make repairs? Does he/she sound sincere? Does he/she listen to you and speak respectfully to other tenants and neighbors? Does he/she try to rush you to decide?

ASK ABOUT POLICIES. Do they sound reasonable? How are they enforced?

ASK ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD. Does the property manager know the neighborhood? Does he/she mention membership in neighborhood groups, such as crime watch?

VISIT THE BUILDING AT DIFFERENT TIMES. When is it noisy? Do you feel safe walking after dark? Would you feel your children were safe outside during the day? Is parking a problem?

VISIT WITH OTHER TENANTS AND NEIGHBORS. Has the property manager kept promises? Has he/she maintained common areas and made promised repairs? Are there problems with crime, noise, or unsupervised children?

COMPARE UNITS. Use the Rental Survey (Worksheet 4) in the Organizer to compare units you look at.

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