My Honey and I rent the home we live in. At one time we even had the option to buy it and had to give some thought and prayer to this option before deciding not to buy. At our age we don't want the upkeep money wise that owning a home would cost us. We would rather not have to pay taxes, insurance, maintenance bills, etc. that a home owner has to put out. We like knowing that if we wanted to move somewhere else tomorrow...we would have the freedom to do this without having to put our home up for sale, etc. We like knowing that when something breaks down, etc. all we have to do is call our Landlord and he fixes or replaces it at no cost to us. We also like knowing our Landlord doesn't mind if we paint, plant flowers or garden in our yard space, etc. He even gives us a discount on our already low rent for mowing our own yard space. Since my Honey loves working out in the yard, etc. this is a blessing too. What about you? Do you rent or own your home? And are you happy with the decision you have made?
Good question @Babs Hunt ..have you always rented ?...I like your way of thinking...however here in the UK rents are hugely high....so very often the mortgage payments would be cheaper than the monthly rent...unlike the UK where homeownership is looked on as a status symbol, ...craziness!! In Europe as a whole...particularly Germany and the Netherlands renting is preferred to home ownership for all of the same reasons you've stated ..in fact it's looked on as a better option because landlords and local councils maintain their homes well and the rents of public housing is kept at an affordable rate. Here in the UK...with the severe shortage of houses generally...the cost of buying is hugely high...which precludes a minimum wage family of ever owning their own home...most of the council public housing was sold off in the 80's by Margaret Thatcher..leaving very few affordable government owned rentals . but left the door open for buy to let landlords (many unscrupulous..not all, but very many) ...who rent out privately homes for very often huge profits to the very people who can't afford to buy in the first place. This can and does often create a situation where these people then cannot afford to work to pay extortionate rents... and find that they have no options but to become unemployed and allow the state to pay most if not all of their rents for them ...it's a viscious circle here that needs a desperate remedy. Ha!! Sorry about that...let me just climb down from my high horse and answer your question...lol.... Yes I own my own home...and I'm lucky enough to also own a second home in another country!!
@Holly Saunders There are many places here in America that charge outrageous rent too and the homes to buy are unaffordable for those who are not wealthy. I have owned homes and have rented...and after experiencing both...I prefer to rent. Unless you can afford to pay cash for your home, owning a home to me is really just renting it from the bank or mortgage company until it is paid off. Except you also have to pay the taxes, insurance, and fix or replace anything that breaks, etc. Some people say they like the security of knowing they own their home but like I said unless you have paid cash for it and have the title to it...the bank or mortgage company really owns it until you have paid it off. Some people do not have much choice in whether they rent or buy. We are limited in what we could afford to buy, but would rather use the extra income that owning a home would take for other things in our lives.
You're absolutely correct, so many people do not have a choice as to whether they rent or buy...well actually renting is their own choice..or live in a tent.. if you live in a nice rental in a nice area with a landlord who looks after you, there;s no problem....it's the ones who take advantage of people who can ill afford huge rents for properties which are not maintained and are in poor areas which make me mad!!
We owned the house we lived in for 24 years. We had to move due to my health problems and decided that a retirement apartment was the best option, no stairs and a careline system. I was so happy to move, but that was short lived. The management company looks upon the older generation as 'cash cows' and easy pickings. When we realised this it all went downhill for us. The manager of this place is here part time and it was obvious she wanted to form a clique to enable back up when someone like 'us' causes a stir. This has worked well for her as we are the 'only' voice I would love to be able to move as I would inspect a future property with 'eyes wide open' - but this is very unlikely to happen.
We have only lived in only one rental place where the Managers did not care whether they took care of their tenants or the place we rented from them. After I went to the Office and told them I wanted the name and a number or address for the Owner did that Manager finally start sending maintenance to our place as soon as I called. Having been a Legal Secretary for awhile I knew our rights and did not tolerate being treated like I didn't.
We rent a 2 bedroom 2 full bath apt. with garage - by choice. We had a 3 bedroom home many years ago, but for many reasons gave it up and now live in apt.Its a gated community, which does seem to help in the crime area. IT is expensive to us- but so much less to worry about and after 5 years - it is still quiet, clean and upkept very well. Do dread the end of every lease. when they always go up. Will have to use a new negotiation tactic this year.How much does a place like our cost in your area ? For apt,garage,pet,trash, water and sewer $1063-1070 a moth.Would be interesting to know .
The owner and management team are one of the same - something else I have learnt not to tolerate if I ever could move
If you know what your tenant rights are and the Owner is not meeting those rights...then you should have legal options you could try Patsy.
A rental on a gated community just as you describe here in the UK @Gloria Mitchell would cost at least 10 times more in rental than you're paying... I own a 2 bed 2 bath.. 3 storey triplex with underbuild.. on a beautiful well kept Gated community in Spain with pool. We pay a homeowners community charge for gardeners and general upkeep of the grounds including the electric gates, and parking areas of around 200 euros per quarter... and I charge my tenants a little more than my mortgage costs in rental .. to cover any damages, and to pay for my letting agents fees, which is about half what a similar property would cost here, we pay the water bills and any repairs, and my tenants pay for the electricity .... ...I lived in it for 10 years before returning to the UK..... If we weren't still employed in the Uk we'd go back and live there half of the year again...
@Patsy Faye I'm sorry to hear you're going through such a trauma with your management company because it's something we'd thought of doing ourselves...perhaps moving to a retirement property in the furutre due to my RA..and the ever increasing problems with the stairs. However , now I'm wondering whether that would be a good thing given your story... what I don't understand is..if this is a retirement property ergo..for older retired folks.. how are they using you as cash cows?...I mean by that...what are they doing that causes you to have to pay more money? I'm genuinely interested, because having thought about this very thing ourselves for the future I'd want to be aware of the pitfalls..
Tried everything Babs - I did do well in the beginning, they had to change the lease because of what I spotted as it was 'illegal' ! Got them on a couple of other things too - but it doesn't do your health any good at all, so we have decided we can't continue anymore
I soon learnt I would have to check the yearly accounts, doing that, I saw 'double charges' for a single invoice They also rack up charges on maintenance work, they get a builder and they get their cut of the cost. Same with insurance that we pay for. There are lots of things Holly. But my advice would be to thoroughly check the intended place. Make sure the builder of the property and management are not the same. And - don't have a lodge manager if you can avoid it ! I will pm you on a place that strives for our rights and they have a list of 'reputable' management companies and good properties
This is our cozy Acadiana Cottage that has everything including a washer and dryer and a attic to store Christmas stuff, etc. Plus we have a wonderful big yard that we enjoy from our front porch. We pay $450. per month and pay our own utilities, etc. We are blessed with a wonderful Landlord who has already told us we can live out the rest of our lives here and he will never raise our rent. This home is prayer answered for us and we love it.
I'm really sorry @Patsy Faye that you are having such a terrible stressful problem where you live. And I pray that you will be able to find a solution so you can live in peace and happiness soon.