2010
07.10

The landlord and tenant branch of most local courts is often overloaded with cases, usually pertaining to some part of the lease or rental agreement between the two parties. The more specific the agreement, the easier it will be for each case to be decided or, better yet, worked out between the landlord and tenant. To that end, every lease or rental agreement should contain the following terms or provisions, or some derivative thereof.

Duration:

The duration of the lease is very important. Many lease agreements are either for six months or one year, and are renewable upon the expiration of the duration. Many rental agreements are month-to-month, meaning that they can be terminated at any time, with the requisite notice. Holdovers after the expiration of the lease are generally not allowed.

Deposit:

Many landlord and tenant disputes occur because of the security deposit. The purpose of the security deposit is to allow the landlord to have a reserve in the event that the tenant causes damage to the property. A typical security deposit will be equal to the first and last months’ rent.

Rental Amount:

The rental amount defines how much rent should be paid monthly. Additionally, it will most likely define the day of the month by which the rent should be paid and if there is any grace period. Finally, the rent provision should define any late fees.

Utilities:

The lease or rental agreement should enumerate who pays what utilities. Utilities can be quite costly, especially those for electricity and/or gas. Often times, the utility payments are the “make-or-break” element of the agreement. Past utility payments should be utilized by the tenant to determine whether the cost of renting the property is affordable.

Use/Occupancy Terms:

The tenant can’t have free reign to do with the property what he or she wishes. The agreement should expressly state any restrictions on the use or occupancy of the premises. For example, if only one person can reside there, the lease should state that. If a certain type of television network or cable company must be used, then that should be outlined in the agreement. The point is not to leave any questions as to what can and can’t be done, within reason. Both parties will be better off with a more specific provision on the terms of use.

Right of Landlord to Enter the Premises:

In some instances, the landlord needs to be able to enter the premises. For example, if the landlord needs to show the property to prospective tenants, or if the building is undergoing a repair where each unit needs to be specifically inspected, then the landlord may need to come onto the property. The right to enter provision must state how much notice and what kind of notice should be given to the tenant prior to the landlord entering.

Maintenance Obligations:

Who will maintain the premises? This can be a blanket statement that the landlord or tenant is obligated to repair things when they break down. Or it could be specific (for example, the landlord repairs any appliances, but the tenant repairs any aesthetics). In any event, maintenance can become quite expensive, especially in older buildings, so be sure each party’s obligations are specifically enumerated.

Remedies upon Default:

People often break their lease or rental agreement. Or they don’t do something they are supposed to do under the agreement. It happens every day all over the country. That is why we have leases and rental agreements in the first place, because they outline each party’s rights and responsibilities and what should be done in the event that the parties don’t respect the rights and responsibilities. Naturally then, the agreement needs to outline what each party can do in the event of default or breach.

Generally speaking, the above provisions must be included in every lease or rental agreement. However, they aren’t the only provisions that must be included in the agreement. What each agreement contains will depend on the facts and circumstances of the particular parties and the property in question, but it is important to know the basics of where to start.

Landlord-tenant laws are both complex and specific to each State. If you need a Maryland real estate attorney or Virginia real estate attorney, we are here to help.

2010
07.10

If you are trying to sell your home, you may want to look to a Victoria BC realtor for help. There are many reasons why this can be better than selling on your own. You may end up getting your home sold faster and for more money.

Realtors are in the business of knowing what sells in their markets. You may love your home exactly the way it is. But a realtor will be able to advise you on changes that you can make so that your property is more marketable.

The recommended changes will not necessarily be expensive. But the idea is that the value of your home will go up, maybe not literally, but at least the way a prospective buyer will view it. Despite your love for your kitchen wallpaper, you will need to let that go and listen to the advice of professionals.

Once you make the necessary adjustments to your property, your realtor will be in a better position to market it. They have people coming through their office all the time looking for a new home. By using a realtor, you get the benefit of their resources rather than just using your own.

Realty companies are constantly advertising their services. And most people are going to find it more convenient to go to a realtor to buy rather than looking in the paper or driving around. It saves them a huge amount of time so more buyers are likely to go through the realtor’s office than will ever see your ad or for sale sign.

If you are trying to sell some property, take advantage of the help you can get from a Victoria BC realtor. You can not only save time, you might even do better financially. You will definitely end up with less stress.

Property in western Canada is becoming increasingly popular amongst home buyers. For a selection of listings, contact your Victoria BC realtor at http://www.homesalesvictoria.com today.

2010
07.10

You can get the very best price for the used car only when a brand new car from the same model is being sold at the highest price. If a manufacturer gives discounted prices for the new car from the same model, you can’t sell your car at the best price. In other words, the best time to sell your used car is when the prices for the model you have are at the highest.

Hence the important factor that affects the price of a second hand car is the price of a new car of the model you have with you. So it is better to wait until the price of a new car of your model goes up rather than selling it when the manufacturer gives discount for a new car of your model.

Preparing your car for selling it’s a must. You have to consider what the potential buyer thinks of your car. So you’ve to maintain the interior and the exteriors of your car properly. If your car isn’t clean inside and out, the potential buyer might not think positively about your car. This simple issue might make you lose a possible deal.

Therefore proper maintenance of your car is essential to fetch a good price for your used car. Some people might overlook some serious problems in the car if the car looks shiny and glowing. Touch up scratches on the exterior and interior. Makeup the small dents in it. Balance the tires properly. Clean inside and out. This may fetch you a profitable deal.

The price of your car should take into consideration the mileage and the condition of the car. You could also consider the demand for that model. Cars that have run for more miles are often not preferred and maybe they are considered ‘used up’.

Hence most of the people prefer cars which have run for fewer miles per year. Usually a potential buyer would think about the price that you have fixed for your car as the asking price and he would negotiate the purchase price. It’s always better to have a margin of 5% of the price that you would like to sell for so that you can negotiate that 5% with the buyer of your car.

James Tano comes from Humble, TX. He has written a number of articles on Auto Industry . Please also check out his other guide on Cheap Car Insurance tips, and Used Cars For Sale By Owner guide!