Resident FAQs
Answers to your frequently asked questions
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How much notice must a landlord provide before entering the home?
Based on the language in the lease agreement, there are circumstances in which the landlord or property manager may be able to enter your rental property with or without notice. For example, if there is an emergency or if they need to make repairs, your landlord may be able to enter without your consent. Additionally, most states have laws that allow landlords to enter a rental property after giving the tenant notice, usually 24 hours. It's important to check the lease agreement to determine how much notice a landlord must provide to enter the home.
At Wolfnest, we will always attempt to give ample notice before entering the property. However, if there is an emergency or lease violations at the home, we reserve the right to visit the property without notice.
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Can a landlord charge a cleaning fee?
Yes, a landlord can charge a cleaning fee, but it typically depends on the lease agreement or rental contract that you have signed. Many lease agreements include a clause that allows the landlord to charge a cleaning fee if the property is not left in the same condition as it was when you moved in. The fee can be used to cover the cost of cleaning or repairing any damage that was caused by the tenant during their stay. However, it's worth noting that the fee should be reasonable and commensurate with the actual cleaning or repair costs. It's important to check your lease agreement or rental contract and the laws in your state to understand your rights and responsibilities regarding cleaning fees.
At Wolfnest, we have our homes professionally cleaned before a move-in and expect our residents to return the property in the same condition.
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Why do landlords do property inspections?
Landlords may conduct house inspections for a variety of reasons, including:
- To ensure that the property is being maintained in good condition: Landlords may want to check that the property is being kept clean, that any damage is reported and repaired, and that the property is being used in the way it was intended.
- To ensure that the lease agreement is being followed: Landlords may want to check that the tenants are not violating any provisions of the lease agreement, such as by having unauthorized occupants or pets.
- To identify any needed repairs or maintenance: Landlords may want to check for any repairs or maintenance that need to be done on the property.
- To prepare for the next tenant: Before a tenant moves out, landlords may want to inspect the property to ensure that it is in good condition for the next tenant and determine if any repairs or cleaning will be required.
- To comply with state and local laws: Some states or localities have laws that require landlords to conduct inspections at certain intervals.
At Wolfnest, routine inspections are conducted on a property by property basis if the owner has requested this service. We always attempt to provide ample notice and be courteous of the residents space.
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Are landlords responsible for pest control?
It depends on the laws in your state and the terms of your lease agreement or rental contract.
In general, landlords are responsible for addressing pest infestations before a resident moves in and offering the rental property in a livable condition.
Depending on the specific case, the responsibility may be shared between the landlord and the tenant. For example, a lease agreement may state that the landlord is responsible for initial extermination, but the tenant is responsible for maintaining the property in a way that discourages pests, such as keeping it clean and not leaving food out.
It's important to check your lease agreement or rental contract and the laws in your state to understand your rights and responsibilities regarding pest control. If you have a pest infestation, it's best to contact your landlord as soon as possible to address the issue.
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Are landlords allowed do say no to pets?
Yes, landlords are typically allowed to say no to pets, but there are some exceptions.
Most landlords have the right to set their own pet policies, and many choose to not allow pets in their rental properties. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, under the federal Fair Housing Act, landlords must make reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities who need a service animal or an emotional support animal.
Additionally, some states and municipalities have laws that prohibit landlords from refusing to rent to tenants with certain types of animals, such as service animals or emotional support animals.
At Wolfnest, we always follow the federal Fair Housing Act. If you have a service animal or an emotional support animal, it's important to provide documentation and communicate with us to make sure we are aware of your needs.
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Can my landlord increase my rent if I get a pet?
It depends on the laws in your state and the terms of your lease agreement or rental contract.
In general, landlords are allowed to increase rent on their properties if the resident adds a pet to the lease agreement. It's important to check your rental contract to see if there's a clause that allows for pet-related rent increases.
At Wolfnest, typically we will amend the lease agreement if you add a pet, but there will be charges associated with this alteration.
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How much notice does a landlord have to give a tenant to move out?
The amount of notice a landlord must give a tenant to move out in Utah depends on the circumstances.
If the tenant is being evicted for nonpayment of rent, the landlord must give a 3-day notice to pay or vacate. If the tenant fails to pay the rent or vacate the property within 3 days, the landlord may file for eviction.
If the tenant is being evicted for violating the lease agreement, the landlord must give a 3-day notice to comply or vacate. If the tenant fails to correct the violation or vacate the property within 3 days, the landlord may file for eviction.
If the tenant is approaching the lease term end date, the landlord must give a 30-day notice to vacate. If the tenant does not vacate at the end of the lease term, the landlord may pursue an eviction.
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Can a landlord throw out a tenants belongings without eviction?
No, a landlord cannot legally throw out a tenant's belongings without going through the proper abandonment process.
When a tenant is evicted, the landlord must follow the laws and procedures set forth in the state or municipality. This typically includes giving the tenant notice and obtaining a court order before proceeding with an eviction. Once the eviction is complete, the landlord can only remove the tenant's belongings if they have been abandoned or if the landlord has obtained a court order allowing them to do so.
In some cases, if a tenant abandons the property and leaves behind personal property, the landlord may be able to remove and dispose of the property after the tenant has provided approval.
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What happens if a leased property is sold to another owner during lease term?
In many cases, if a property is sold to another owner during the lease term, the new owner becomes the landlord and is legally responsible for fulfilling the terms of the lease agreement. The tenant's rights and responsibilities under the lease are not affected by the change in ownership. The new owner must honor the terms of the existing lease and cannot raise the rent or change other terms without the tenant's agreement.
However, it is always important to review the lease agreement for specific language regarding the sale of the property. Some leases have clauses stating that the agreement becomes void with 30 days notice if the property is sold.
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Does a landlord have to complete repairs for the tenant?
A landlord has a legal responsibility to provide a safe and habitable living space for their tenants and to make necessary repairs in a timely manner. The specific repair responsibilities of a landlord will vary depending on the laws of the state or municipality where the property is located, as well as the terms of the lease agreement.
In most cases, landlords are responsible for maintaining the structure of the building, including the roof, walls, floors, and foundations. They must also ensure that the electrical, plumbing, heating, and ventilation systems are in good working order. The landlord also must make sure that the property meets local housing codes.
Tenants are responsible for keeping the rental unit clean and safe, and for reporting any needed repairs promptly.
It is always important to review the lease agreement to determine if the owner or tenant is responsible for addressing repairs at the property.
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Can you withhold rent if a repair is not completed by the landlord?
In some cases, a tenant may be able to withhold rent if a landlord fails to make necessary repairs and agrees to the rent abatement. However, it is extremely important to review the language in the lease agreement to see how these situations are addressed.
At Wolfnest, we do everything in our power to address maintenance issues as soon as possible and our lease states that rent will not abate for any reason.
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Is a tenant allowed to sublet the property?
Whether a tenant can sublet a property depends on the terms of the lease agreement and the laws of the state or municipality where the property is located. In general, a tenant may be able to sublet a property if the lease agreement allows it, or if the landlord gives their consent.
A sublet is when a tenant rents out their rental unit to another person, known as the subtenant, while they still remain responsible for the lease agreement. The subtenant will have to pay rent to the tenant and the tenant is still responsible for paying the rent to the landlord.
It's important for the tenant to check the lease agreement before subletting the property and to also inform the landlord of the subletting plans.
In any case, the tenant remains liable under the original lease agreement, and is responsible for ensuring that the subtenant complies with the lease terms, including paying rent and taking care of the property.
At Wolfnest, we are happy to alter the lease agreement to add or remove tenants, but we do not allow subletting of the unit.
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What are the rights of a tenant?
Tenants have the right to:
- Quiet enjoyment of the rental property, meaning that the landlord cannot disturb the tenant's peaceful possession of the property
- Habitability, meaning that the landlord is responsible for maintaining the property in a livable condition
- Fair housing, meaning that the landlord cannot discriminate against tenants based on race, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability
- Due process, meaning that the landlord must follow proper eviction procedures and cannot evict a tenant without cause
- Security deposit protection, meaning that the landlord must follow state laws regarding the handling and return of security deposits within 30 days of vacating.
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Is the tenant responsible to pay rent until the end of the lease agreement?
Yes, as a tenant, you are typically responsible for paying rent until the end of the lease agreement. A lease agreement is a legally binding contract between the landlord and tenant, and it outlines the terms and conditions of the tenancy, including the amount of rent to be paid and the duration of the lease.
If you fail to pay rent, the landlord may take legal action to evict you and recover the unpaid rent. If you wish to move out before the end of the lease, you may be responsible for paying the remaining rent or paying a lease buyout fee. It's important to understand the terms of the lease agreement before you stop making your obligated payment.
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Can I cancel my lease agreement?
The ability to cancel a lease agreement depends on the specific terms of the agreement. In general, once a lease agreement has been signed and the tenant has taken possession of the rental property, the tenant is responsible for paying rent for the entire term of the lease, unless the landlord agrees to release the tenant from the lease or the lease contains a provision allowing for early termination.
There are some situations where the lease agreement may be terminated before the end of the lease term. In Utah, an early termination may be accommodate in certain situations such as landlord's breach of the lease, domestic violence, and military deployment.
At Wolfnest, we will always provide any early termination in the case of domestic violence and military deployment. For other situations, we will accommodate an early termination based on the terms of the lease agreement.
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How long does it take to process a rental application?
The time it takes to process a rental application can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the complexity of the application, the number of applicants, and the availability of the landlord or property manager. On average, it can take anywhere from a few days to a week for a rental application to be processed and for a decision to be made. However, some landlords or property managers may take longer to review applications, while others may be able to process them more quickly.
At Wolfnest, we can typically have a rental application processed within a few business days once we receive all of the requested information and documentation.
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Do all occupants needs to be on the lease agreement?
Typically, all adult occupants who will be living in the rental property should be listed on the lease agreement. This is because the lease agreement is a legally binding contract between the landlord and the tenants, and all tenants listed on the lease are responsible for the terms of the agreement. This includes paying rent, adhering to the rules and regulations of the property, and any other obligations outlined in the lease.
At Wolfnest, all individuals living at the property, as well as applicable co-signers, will need to be included on the executed lease agreement.
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Can a security deposit be paid in installments?
It depends on the landlord or property manager's policies. While there are scenarios where a tenant is allowed to pay the security deposit in installments, most property managers require that the deposit be paid in full before move-in.
At Wolfnest, we require that the security deposit is paid in full with the move-in funds before taking possession of the property.
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Can a tenant change the rent due date?
Typically rent is due on the 1st of the month, which is the standard in the rental industry. Some landlords or property managers may provide a grace period and be willing to accommodate a tenant's request to change the rent due date, while others may not.
It's important to keep in mind that if the landlord or property manager agrees to change the rent due date, it should be in writing and should be added to the lease agreement as an amendment, to avoid any confusion or disagreements in the future.
At Wolfnest, rent is due by 5:00pm on the first day of each month. We include rent reminders in our tenant benefit package and try to make it as easy as possible to pay with the ability to setup recurring bank withdrawals.
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Can I renew my lease at the end of the term?
Yes, typically at the end of a lease term, tenants have the option to renew their lease. It is important to check the terms of the current lease agreement to see if it has a clause about renewing the lease. Many landlords and property managers will provide tenants with a renewal notice or offer several weeks before the lease expires to give them time to decide whether to renew or not.
It's also important to keep in mind that at the end of the lease term, the landlord or property manager may decide to not renew the lease, and may require the tenants to vacate the property.
At Wolfnest, will we typically offer a lease renewal at the end of the term unless there are certain circumstances that would prevent us from doing so, such as the owner will be selling the property or moving back into the home.
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