Renting a Home
Renting a home may be an attractive choice. Many housing options are available as rentals, and some offer special services and amenities. Rental options include single-family houses, apartments, mobile homes in parks, retirement communities, and apartment complexes specifically designed for adults over 55 years of age. Most rental units are private, although it is possible to pay rent to share a home, or to rent a single room in a home. Rental housing may be publicly or privately-owned, operated or managed.
Benefits: Renters may take advantage of the availability of a range of housing choices. Those who rent are also free of many of the financial and physical responsibilities of being a homeowner. When owners sell their homes prior to renting, they may use the equity to help pay some of their expenses. Some renters may be eligible for either public housing or subsidized housing such as Section 8.
Challenges: Challenges include less independence for tenants, restrictions on pet ownership, and the need to rely on others to make necessary repairs and modifications. Landlords may end their tenants’ leases before residents want to move. In some communities, suitable or affordable rental units may not be available.
Personal Considerations – Questions to Ask About Rental Housing:
- If I anticipate the need to make physical changes to the unit to make it more accessible, who is responsible for the cost of the modifications?
- Are pets allowed and if not, would it be possible to have a pet if I pay a pet deposit? If a pet deposit policy is in place, is it refundable if there's no damage when I move out?
- Can the landlord object or ask me to move if I receive in-home support services?
- Am I eligible for any in-home support services through federal, state or local programs?
- Can I use my long-term care insurance policy to pay for in-home support services?
- Am I eligible for any state or federal rent subsidy programs?
- Am I eligible for any state rent rebate programs?
Primary Legal Issues to Understand About Renting:
- The rights and responsibilities of renters under state landlord/tenant laws and under the federal Fair Housing Act.
- The landlord’s duties and obligations under state landlord/tenant laws and under the federal Fair Housing Act.
- The frequency with which the landlord can raise the rent.
- The options if the new amount is unaffordable.