{"product_id":"2940013040519","title":"How to be the Smartest Renter on Your Block: A Minnesota Tenants' Rights Guide","description":"HOME Line (http:\/\/www.homelinemn.org\/) wrote How to Be the Smartest Renter on Your Block to help renters find, get and keep rental housing. This book is based on the real-life concerns we hear from thousands of callers to our tenant hotline. It gives the best ways to handle and avoid the most common rental problems.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis book follows the rental process from beginning to end, with several additional chapters on more unique rental housing situations. It begins with advice on how to find and apply for an apartment, and shows how to understand the terms of a lease. The next chapters cover common issues a renter runs into once they’ve moved in – repairs, noisy neighbors, right to privacy, and more. This book also addresses what to expect when a renter moves out of an apartment, and how to make sure a security deposit is returned. Newer issues are also covered – landlord foreclosure, and bed bug infestations. Lastly, we take a detailed look at how tenants can organize together to hold their landlords and their elected officials accountable. How to Be the Smartest Renter on Your Block answers these questions and more.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eContents include:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShopping for an Apartment\u003cbr\u003eApplying for an Apartment\u003cbr\u003eHousing Discrimination\u003cbr\u003eUnderstanding Leases\u003cbr\u003eNeighbors \u0026amp; Roommates\u003cbr\u003ePrivacy Violations\u003cbr\u003eRepairs\u003cbr\u003eRetaliation\u003cbr\u003eEnding a Lease\u003cbr\u003eRent Increases\u003cbr\u003eEvictions\u003cbr\u003eLockouts \u0026amp; Utility Shutoffs\u003cbr\u003eSecurity Deposits\u003cbr\u003eAbandoned Property\u003cbr\u003eLandlord Foreclosures\u003cbr\u003eManufactured (Mobile) Homes\u003cbr\u003eSubsidized Housing\u003cbr\u003eCaretakers \u0026amp; Other Employees of the Landlord\u003cbr\u003eRenters Credit (CRP)\u003cbr\u003eTenant Organizing\u003cbr\u003eAppendix 1: Court Forms\u003cbr\u003eFiling “IFP”\u003cbr\u003eConciliation Court\u003cbr\u003eAppendix 2: Form Letters\u003cbr\u003eCopy of Lease Request\u003cbr\u003eDemand for Property\u003cbr\u003eNotification of Guest Rights\u003cbr\u003eNeighbor Violation\u003cbr\u003eRight to Privacy\u003cbr\u003eRepair Request\u003cbr\u003eRetaliation Notice\u003cbr\u003eSecurity Deposit Demand\u003cbr\u003eCalculating Interest on Security Deposits\u003cbr\u003eSample Notice to Vacate\u003cbr\u003eAppendix 3: List of Tenant Screening Companies\u003cbr\u003eAppendix 4: Guide to Additional Resources\u003cbr\u003eAppendix 5: Covenants of Habitability\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExcerpt from \"How to be the Smartest Renter on Your Block\":\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChapter 13: Security Deposits\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSecurity deposits, also known as damage deposits, are used in rental housing to cover out­standing damage or disrepair that may be caused by a tenant during a tenancy. Most tenants are required to pay a deposit before moving into the apartment. Many landlords charge a full month’s rent for a security or damage deposit (or more, especially if the tenant has bad credit or no good rental history). Additional deposits for pets can be included as well. For detailed infor­mation about pet deposits and the effect of pets on a lease, see Chapter 4, Leases.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSecurity deposit disputes are one of the main reasons tenants call HOME Line. Most land­lords are fair with tenants when it comes to deposits, but there are certain landlords who seem to keep every tenant’s deposit. There are important proactive steps a tenant can take to protect himself on this potentially expensive topic.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRenters can improve their chances to get the deposit back by following these guidelines and learning more about how security deposits work.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS CHAPTER:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• Overall rights and responsibilities as they relate to security deposits.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• How to document apartment conditions and take photos before mov­ing in and after moving out.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• To keep apartment in good condition; notify landlord promptly when repairs are needed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• Not to “ride out” deposit to cover the last month’s rent.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• What to do after moving out.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• To expect a response from the landlord within 21 days of move out.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• To understand that in court, the burden is on the landlord to prove the tenant caused damage beyond ordinary wear and tear.","brand":"HOME Line","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47145532489968,"sku":"2940013040519","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940013040519_p0.jpg?v=1763576193","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940013040519","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}