Month: June 2022

Please help and insights are appreciated!! I’m trying to rent a single family dwelling in this hot Houston market with my girlfriend. Went to see an active listing. First, listing agent is the property manager, said he is on vacation and referred another agent to represent him for showing. The sub agent showed up and answered some general questions as if he for sure knows the answers. Asked if we were being represented. I said no, and so he said he would represent us also as buyer agent (I think it’s all about the commission but oh well I don’t pay for anything so I thought maybe it could give us a higher chance to get the lease since he is double dipping and we kinda like the place within budget). Fast forwarded, provided everything for background check, passed and being offered a lease.

When looking thru the lease, the terms are hawkish imo: limiting specific time and day to water the lawn. When I asked about whether rainy days the terms still stand(since it’s not specified), sub agent turned to me saying he is not sure and he needs to ask the listing agent (but I thought he should be representing both of us?) another item is that fridge is included but landlord does not take care of repairing cost?! Asked further, then agent said I am being too specific and the listing agent/property manager and landlord don’t like people asking specific questions = problematic renters…. (but I do think that I have the right to know here…) small prints say if landlord thinks I don’t abide the lease, s/he can evict me making me lose all security deposit and an additional 1 month rent. So then I can kinda tell the lease is all for the landlord and I can’t even ask questions or ask the agent to amend any terms to protect myself….

I have a bad gut feeling but due to the current hot market and the place within our budget, my girlfriend and I are really debating whether we should go with the lease…. But the idea of being evicted (if the property manager would try all means to prove that we are at wrong and kick us out) and losing all the hard earned money just terrifies me…! Please feel free to comment and any insights is much appreciated!!!