PREPared Renter

Program“Creating Positive Rental Experiences For

Everyone” &

“Building Firm Foundations for Pennsylvania Renters”

Barriers to Successful Renting

1. Affordability2. Family Size3. Location4. Accessibility

Needs5. NIMBY6. Credit History7. Criminal History

8. Safety9. Transportation10.MH/DA 11.Discrimination12.Children13.Signing Leases14.Eviction

What’s this all About? Navigating the world of housing can be pretty confusing…

• PREP is a housing training program which provides consumers with the critical information they will need to pursue independent housing.

• PREP provides a variety of tools to inform consumers about the rental housing process and ways to establish a sound start on a path to independence.

Chapter One (Page 3)

Renting Fundamentals

Learning the language*– How understanding the vocabulary can shape the

rental processExample: Understanding different types of landlords

*See Glossary (Page 68)

SETTING THE STAGE

• Income • Mortgage/Rents including utilities• FMR in Delaware County• Supplemental Security Income• Social Security Disability Income• 30% of income is the usual benchmark

Chapter Two (Page 5)

Preparing to Rent• How to determine how much rent

someone can afford?*• Consider the hidden costs of renting

– Application Fees– Utility turn-on Fees– Moving Costs

• The local average rent costs*See Affordable Rent Worksheet (Page 6)

Chapter Three (Page 8)

Understanding your Personal History

• We encourage participants to examine how their personal history can influence the rental process– Have your consumers write

or dictate their story

Chapter Three (Page 8)

History Continued

The most common types of history that can influence the rental process are:

• Housing History • Credit History• Criminal History

Chapter Three (Page 8)

History Continued Addressing History is a 3-Part Process:

1. Review• Document information

2. Evaluate• How will the facts influence the rental search?

3. Plan• Deal with the reality of the situation• Create a Proactive Strategy

Chapter Three (Page 8)

History Continued• Some people may be very sensitive about

these topics• Start with the most positive aspect of a

personal history• Offer encouragement but not false hope

Building up, not tearing down

Group Exercise

• Form a proactive strategy for your consumer to avoid pitfalls that have troubled them in the past

Elizabeth• Elizabeth is a young woman living in a transitional

housing program for adults with mental illness. She has lived on her own in the past but never successfully. She has never qualified for the return of a security deposit and has only negative histories with past landlords. She owes money for past utility and credit card bills.

• Elizabeth receives $701 in SSI per month.• She was arrested for shop lifting but has paid restitution

and is compliant with her parole.• Elizabeth is smart and understands the need to make

changes in her life to have a stable future. She is open to having a roommate and would like to go back to school to finish her education.

Chapter Four (Page 16)

Creating a PREP Folder

• Basic data sheet – p. 18 • Financial data sheet – p. 19• Asset Information – p. 20• Previous Housing References

– p. 21• Rental Search Tracking form –

p. 23• PREP Checklist – p. 22

• Photocopy of birth certificate, photo ID, Social Security Card**

• Photocopy of Social Security Award letter

• 3 months of paystubs

The PREP folder* should include:

**See Appendix -Obtaining Personal Identification Information (Page 77)

Chapter Five (Page 25)

Locating Housing • Setting Goals • Beginning a housing search

– What are your priorities?• location, affordability, accessibility

– Explore the different options**• public housing, housing choice vouchers, shared housing

• Evaluating the potential apartments*****See Appendix -List of Pennsylvania Housing Authorities (Page 91)

***See Rental Search Tracking Sheet (Chapter 4, Page 23)

Chapter Six (Page 31)

Understanding a LeaseParticipants will learn about:• Basic process• Common lease components

– Term– Rent– Utilities– Repairs– Eviction

Lease Worksheet1. What is the exact address of the property you will be renting? _________________________________________________2. How long is the lease for?____ Start __/__/__ End __/__/__3. What is the amount of rent $ ______Security Deposit $_____

Other (fees?) amounts paid $ ______ reason_______________Rent includes- Heat___ Water___ Electric___ Trash Removal___ Other_________________

4. What day of the month is the rent due? ______Late fees? ____5. Who do you pay rent to?

Name__________________________________________________ Address________________________________________________Phone Number_________________ Email ____________________What form will rent be accepted? Check__ Money Order__ Cash__

(If cash, always get a receipt.)

 

Lease Worksheet, continued6. Who do you contact for repairs or problems?

Name__________________________________________________ Address________________________________________________Phone Number_________________ Email ____________________

7. What costs are you responsible for? Heating___ Type_________ Electric___ Water__ Sewer___ Trash Removal___ Parking___ Other______ Other _______8. Are pets allowed? No___ Yes_____ Additional fees required? _____9. Is smoking allowed? No___ Yes___10. Is there a limit to the amount of nights a guest may stay?

No___ Yes___ amount of days allowed_____11. Can additional people join the household?

No___ Yes_____ Additional rent or fees require? _____12. What notice is required if you want to move?

Chapter Seven (Page 43)

Starting off Right

Moving in…• Utilities• Packing up and Moving• Renter’s Insurance

Chapter Eight (Page 49)

Welcome to the Neighborhood• Being a Good Neighbor • Getting along with Difficult People• Living up to your Lease Agreement• Housekeeping – Cleaning Checklist – p. 54• When you decide to move

Things to Emphasize with Your Consumer

These should go without saying, but we will say them anyway:

• Pay your rent on time

• Keep noise down – no wild parties

• Only invite friends you trust over

• Keep your keys in your possession at all times

• Protect yourself • Be aware of people using your telephone phone and other resources

Chapter Nine (Page 56)

Working with Your LandlordThe Landlord-Tenant Relationship

• Being the best tenant!• Having a good landlord• How can the tenant build a good relationship

with the landlord?

Chapter Nine, continued

Working with Your Landlord • When to Report Problems• The tenant has rights!!!*• Repairs: If tenant has already given landlord

time to make repairs, possible remedies**:1. Repair & deduct2. Withhold rent3. Move out4. File a lawsuit

WARNING: Get legal advice and document, document, document!*See Appendix - Covenant of Quiet Enjoyment & Implied Warranty of Habitability (Page 45)

**See Appendix C- Housing Code Fact Sheet (Page 54) & Sample Letters (Page 56)

Chapter Ten (Page 60)

Dealing with Money Problems

Money Problems can be:• Problems paying the bills• Problems keeping track of the expenses• Problems that develop when you don’t tell your

landlord you’re having problems . . .

Chapter Eleven (Page 63)

Eviction• Legal reasons for seeking eviction• Illegal reasons for seeking eviction• How the process works*

• Eviction Notice Requirements (Timeline)• The different procedures for public and private housing evictions

*See Appendix D- Legal Advice (Page 92 - 97)

Contact Information:

Catherine FriedmanIndependent Living Solutions Director

Handi-Crafters, Inc.215 Barley Sheaf Road

P.O. Box 72646Thorndale, PA 19372610.384.6990 ext 217

Thank you.