A Practical Guide to Renting as a Senior
Armed with a clear understanding of the key terms, you can now approach the rental process with confidence. This practical guide will walk you through the journey, from finding the right home to understanding your lease and exercising your rights.
Finding the Right Rental Home
The first step is identifying what kind of rental environment best suits your needs. The market offers various options for senior housing and general rentals.
- 55+ Active Adult Communities: These are apartment or housing developments restricted to households where at least one person is 55 or older. They often feature amenities geared toward an active lifestyle, like clubhouses, pools, and social events.
- Independent Living Communities: These are a step up in services, often including meal plans, housekeeping, and transportation in the rental price. They are designed for seniors who can live independently but desire convenience and a built-in community.
- Standard Apartments and Homes: Renting in a regular, all-ages community is always an option. This can offer more location choices and may be more affordable.
When you visit a potential rental, look beyond the cosmetic features. Consider its suitability for your current and future needs. Ask yourself: Is the entrance accessible without stairs? Are the hallways well-lit? Are there grab bars in the bathroom, or can they be easily installed? Is it close to public transportation, grocery stores, and medical facilities?
The Application Process: Your Rights and What to Expect
Once you’ve found a place you like, you’ll need to fill out a rental application. The landlord will use this to assess your suitability as a tenant. They are legally permitted to review your credit history, verify your income, and check your rental history and references.
Here’s what you need to know about income verification, a common point of anxiety for retirees:
A landlord can set a minimum income requirement (e.g., that your monthly income be three times the rent). However, they must consider all your lawful sources of income. This includes Social Security, pensions, disability payments, annuities, and investment returns. It is illegal for a landlord to say, “We don’t accept Social Security.” They must treat it the same as they would income from a job. If a landlord seems hesitant about your fixed income, you can offer to provide bank statements or an award letter from the Social Security Administration to prove your financial stability.
During the application process, a landlord cannot ask you questions about your health, medical conditions, or disability unless you are requesting a specific accommodation. They also cannot ask your age, unless it is to verify that you qualify for housing specifically designated for seniors (e.g., a 55+ community).
Deconstructing Your Lease Agreement
The lease is the single most important document in your rental life. Never let a landlord rush you into signing it. Take it home, read it thoroughly, and even ask a trusted family member or friend to review it with you. Pay close attention to these key clauses:
- Lease Term: Clearly states the start and end date. Be aware of any automatic renewal clauses.
- Rent and Other Fees: Notes the exact rent amount, the due date, and penalties for late payment. It should also specify who pays for utilities like water, gas, and electricity.
- Security Deposit: Details the amount and the conditions under which it will be returned.
- Landlord’s Right to Enter: Your landlord must generally give you reasonable notice (usually 24 hours in writing) before entering your home, except in an emergency. This clause should specify the notice procedure.
- Maintenance and Repairs: Explains the process for requesting repairs and clarifies who is responsible for minor issues versus major ones. Your landlord is always responsible for keeping the unit habitable.
- Rules and Regulations: Covers policies on pets, guests, noise levels, and use of common areas. Ensure these rules are reasonable and that you can live with them.
- Termination and Renewal: Outlines how much notice you must give before moving out at the end of the lease and the process for renewal.
If you don’t understand a clause, ask the landlord to explain it. If they promise something verbally, like a new appliance or a designated parking spot, insist that it be added to the lease in writing. An oral promise is very difficult to enforce.
Living in Your Rental: Exercising Your Tenant Rights
Once you’ve moved in, your rights continue. If something breaks, notify your landlord immediately, preferably in writing (an email or a letter creates a paper trail). For example, if your heater stops working in winter, send a dated, written request for repair. This documents that you notified the landlord and starts the clock on their legal obligation to fix it in a timely manner.
If you need a reasonable accommodation or modification due to a disability, make the request in writing. Clearly explain what you need and how it relates to your disability. For instance: “Due to my arthritis, which limits my ability to walk long distances, I am requesting a designated parking space as a reasonable accommodation. The space closest to my building’s entrance is currently unassigned, and I would like to request it be assigned to my unit.”
