Here are generic more questions to ask your landlord when deciding to rent a home.

Be sure to check the pet policies of your landlord. Many will require an additional pet fee to cover incidental damage.
  1. How much income do I need to rent this unit? How will you verify this information? The industry rule is 2.5 times your monthly income. That means if you earn $2500 a month, you can safely afford a unit that costs $1000 a month.
  2. How much is the security deposit? The security deposit is typically one month’s rent. Texas law requires landlords to give tenant back his or her security deposit within 30 days along with an accounting for any deductions.
  3. What is the application fee? Will you check my credit and criminal history? Will you contact my employer to verify my income? What if I have been evicted or declared bankruptcy before? We will perform an online credit and criminal history check as well as contact your employer to verify your income.
  4. How long is the lease? Do you offer a discount for a multi-year lease? Leases are typically for 12 months. In certain situations, your landlord will consider a longer or shorter lease.
  5. When is rent due? How do I pay rent? Can I pay by check or online? Rent is always due on the first of the month. Payment is typically accepted by check, direct deposit or PayPal/Venmo.
  6. Are pets allowed? How much is the pet fee? Pets are allowed. The fee is $200 per animal. This fee is non-refundable. It covers the costs of cleaning carpets and removing pet-related smells after the tenant leaves.
  7. Is smoking allowed? Under no circumstances is smoking allowed inside the property.
  8. What utilities will I need to procure? The tenant is responsible for all utilities. This typically includes electricity, natural gas and water.
  9. What are the rules regarding trash and recycling? Trash and recycling dates are set by the city. Check the municipal website for specific dates and times.
  10. Who is responsible for taking care of the yard? The tenant is responsible for maintaining the yard. This includes mowing the yard, trimming the bushes and other basic yard maintenance. Landlord is responsible for tree trimming. However, landlord needs feedback from the tenant when trees begin to encroach.
  11. What if I want to make cosmetic changes to the unit? Tenant is encouraged to make this unit a home. That includes painting and decorating. Landlord only requires that the unit be painted back to the original colors when tenant leaves.
  12. Am I responsible for superficial changes to the unit like nail holes? Tenant is welcome to make superficial changes to the unit. However, landlord requests all changes be fixed upon move out. Failure to repair appropriately could discounted from your security deposit.