The upfront cost of a security deposit can be a challenge for some renters. However, some property managers offer alternatives that decrease the amount due at signing. Common options include:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Recoupment:<\/strong> You agree to pay the property manager for any damages up to a pre-approved amount. If you fail to pay for damages<\/a> at move out, a deposit company will bill you the amount owed.<\/p>\n \u2022 Insurance:<\/strong> You pay monthly premiums for an insurance<\/a> policy, up to a certain limit, to cover any damages<\/a> you cause.<\/p>\n \u2022 Installments:<\/strong> Rather than paying the full deposit at move-in<\/a>, you\u2019ll pay in smaller installments, typically monthly.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to know the different implications of each option. While these alternatives may seem attractive at lease signing, the cumulative out-of-pocket costs may be more than the amount of the traditional security deposit in the long run. Furthermore, depending on the option you choose, you may also still be liable for costs associated with damages to your unit. Make sure your agreed-upon terms are documented and that you fully understand them.<\/p>\n Rent Flexibility<\/strong><\/p>\n Talk to your property manager about the flexibility they can provide on your rent payments. There are several common arrangements that they may be willing to offer you, which include:<\/p>\n \u2022 Personalizing your payment dates:<\/strong> Most rent payments are due on the first of the month, and many properties typically offer a grace period. However, depending on your pay day, this timing still may not be ideal. Speak to your property manager about changing your payment due date to better align with your pay cycle.<\/p>\n \u2022 Paying in installments:<\/strong> You may find it difficult to cover your full monthly rent in one payment. If this is the case, your property manager may be willing to work out an alternative schedule that allows you to make multiple smaller payments throughout the month.<\/p>\n \u2022 Receiving a waiver for late fees or penalties:<\/strong> Late fees and penalties are intended to discourage repeated late payments \u2014 but sometimes, unexpected things happen. If you\u2019re facing a temporary setback but are otherwise in good standing with your property manager, you may be able to negotiate a one-time exception for late fees or penalties.<\/p>\n Navigating the Conversation<\/strong><\/p>\n Approaching your property manager can be intimidating. Before your conversation, consider seeking advice from a HUD-certified housing counselor to help you understand your rights and options, and to prepare any relevant information you may need. As you negotiate with your property manager, keep written documentation of any agreements made. And of course, keep the lines of communication open so that both parties are holding up their end of the agreement.<\/p>\n If you need assistance, reach out to a Renter Resource Organization, which can provide financial planning advice, educate you on your rights and responsibilities as a renter, offer mediation in landlord-tenant disputes, provide legal advice and more. Visit myhome.freddiemac.com<\/a>\/rros to find an organization servicing your region or call Freddie Mac\u2019s Renter Helpline at 800-404-3097 to speak to a HUD-certified housing counselor.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re struggling as a renter, actively communicating by asking questions or asking for assistance can relieve financial pressure and help you avoid eviction.<\/p>\n Photo Credit: (c) fizkes \/ iStock via Getty Images Plus<\/p>\n (StatePoint) Upfront and ongoing renting costs can put financial stress on any monthly budget. But…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-412457","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-business"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/412457","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=412457"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/412457\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=412457"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=412457"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=412457"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}<\/p>\n
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Struggling to Make Rent? Here\u2019s What to Know<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"