subject: Condo Rentals - Tips To Keep In Mind [print this page] Condo rentals are often attractive for those who want to enjoy their vacation in a setting a little more like home than the average hotel can offer. By providing vacationers with a home away from home, owners can stand to make a fortune if they have a place in a well-traveled location. Of course, as someone looking for a place to rent, you aren't so much concerned with how well you're lining someone else's pockets as you are with getting a nice condo you will be happy with for the duration of your trip. To ensure that you achieve this happiness, here are some tips to keep in mind.
Renting From an Owner
Keep in mind that there are two forces at play when you are looking at condo rentals. There's the owner of the space itself, which is who you'll be dealing with as you sign your lease and then there's the homeowner association, which controls the building. No matter what, the homeowner association's rules are going to trump those of the owner, should there be a conflict between the two. That said, the owner is responsible for the unit. If you have maintenance issues, for instance, it is the owner you'll go to, not the building management. The only exception would be if there were repairs needed in public spaces such as the hallway.
Read the Lease
As when renting an apartment, it's very important that you read your lease carefully before signing anything. Condo rentals should be fairly straightforward, but that doesn't mean you should skim and sign. Take your time and look it over. Some things that should be included are the owner's responsibilities as they pertain to keeping up with maintenance, who will be paying the HOA fees, and various specific information regarding the term of the lease and any security deposit that you put down at the start. Of course, some of this will be different in the short term (if you're renting for a week, there's little chance you will be expected to pay the HOA fees), but it is still important to read it thoroughly.
Rules
As stated, the HOA will have its own set of rules and regulations. You'll need to familiarize yourself with these if your owner didn't explicitly include them in the lease. They will cover all of your questions when it pertains to living in condo rentals. It should have sections regarding noise, parking, and various other issues that could arise. If you are found in violation of these rules, it could result in fines to the owner. Depending on the wording of the lease, the owner may then have recourse to get that money from you or ask you to leave. Get a copy of the rules and endeavor to stay within them.
