Precautions to take before buying or renting a home

HAZARD, Ky. (WYMT) - After the July 2022 flood and recent fires in the region, many Eastern Kentuckians have had to find other places to live.

If you are renting, AppalReD Legal Aid staff recommend that the tenant and landlord sign a lease agreement that allows both sides to understand rules.

“They outline both to the landlord and the tenant what their obligations are, what their rights are. What to do if there’s issues with the apartment, as well as what happens if, you know, there’s a lease violation,” said AppalReD Housing Staff Attorney Taygan Mullins.

Once you are established in the home, Mullins said it is important to keep a paper trail to go back on if there are any disputes.

“I mean, the key to a lot of this is keep a paper trail. Every transaction, conversations with your landlord and, in addition, if you’re paying cash to your landlord for your rent, get them to give you receipts, or instead write them checks, give them money orders . . .” said Taygan Mullins.

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