Rental Counseling

One on one rental counseling is available

Overview
• Available programs and services (i.e., deposit assistance, public housing, section 8 housing choice voucher programs)
Education
• Knowing your housing rights-Fair Housing
• Rent vs. Buy
• Financial assessment (i.e., spending plan, credit report, savings)
• Rental application process and overview of a lease (tips for tenants, move in move out guide)
Resources
• Explore the alternatives from action possible in the situation- Referral services (i.e., legal aid for landlord/tenant)

TIPS you need to know before signing a Lease
• It is a legal binding document
• Read the lease in full before signing
• Ask about any penalties that apply if you break a lease
• Do not sign a lease with blank spaces
• Make sure every person legally responsible for paying rent signs the lease and the tenants understand whether they are tenants in common or joint tenants
• Get the name, address, and phone number of the individual, company, landlord who manages the property
• Negotiate for provisions to be added or deleted. Tenant and landlord should initial all changes.
• Ask for a signed copy of the lease
• When a lease has been broken, the tenant will have some liability and may owe some money, but the landlord usually has a legal responsibility to get a new tenant. The old tenant should have no further liability after a new tenant is in.

Community Education is available...CALL us or email info@piedmonthousing.org

Piedmont Housing Alliance Rental Counseling Program -Community Education

• Overview of Piedmont Housing Alliance Programs and Services
• Tenant Rights
o Fair Housing
• Renting vs. Buying
• Financial Assessment to determine Rental Affordability
o Fees, Deposits, Credit Report, Criminal Background Check, Rental Insurance
• Rental Subsidy Programs (if eligible)
o Public Housing
o Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher
• The Application Process and Lease
o Move-In/Move-Out Guide
• Ten Tips for Tenants (NOLO)