<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=22Vpgc_10BB1RQ400" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=22Vpgc_10BB1RQ400" width="1200" height="600" >LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - Many people will end up renting a place to live at some point in their life. Experts say it is important to know the essentials before signing a lease or contract.“It’s really easy to enter into any contract, including a lease. It is not so easy to get out of it, so what you want to know when you read your lease agreement is you want to be sure that it clearly sets forth who’s going to pay for what,” said attorney Carla Sigler.A renter usually moves in after agreeing on terms with a landlord about the housing and utilities. But what happens when suddenly through no fault of your own, you don’t have running water.Then you find out because your landlord owes thousands to a water company now you and your family have to go without a vital resource.Sigler says situations like these have become a growing issue for renters.“If it seems too good to be true, it is,” she said. “There could be people that are leasing property to people that are maybe economically disadvantaged and that are saying, oh yeah, we’re going to take care of this. We’re going to take care of that. But then they’re not actually paying it. They’re keeping the money. And that’s a terrible circumstance to be in.”In Lake Charles, residents at Southern Pointe mobile home park recently reported being without without water for a long period of time.Sigler says to make sure to know exactly what’s on the leasing agreement.“Keep a copy of your lease contract,” she said. “Always do that. Get it in writing. Put it in the cloud, whatever, but make sure you have access to that, so you know what your rights are. I think if you’re informed as any sort of consumer in any transaction then you’re better off, you’re better prepared. If something does come up.”Under Louisiana law, renters have the right to live in a safe, clean, and usable environment.“The landlord or what we call the lessor has to ensure that it’s fit for peaceful possession but also fit for the use intended. If you’re renting an apartment, OK, or a house. You expect to have water and power, and that is basic waterpower. Sanitation is the three most basic things, and those are backed up not only in other Louisiana laws but like I said, the regulations and everything else,” said Sigler.She says renters should always read the fine print and document everything.For tips for renters from the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, CLICK HERE.</div></body>

Block Source: KPLC TV

Misinformation

Clickbait

Old or repetitive news

Explicit content

Location not relevant

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - Many people will end up renting a place to live at some point in their life. Experts say it is important to know the essentials before signing a lease or contract. “It’s really easy to enter into any contract, including a lease. It is not...

Attorney explains renters rights

NewsBreak

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - Many people will end up renting a place to live at some point in their life. Experts say it is important to know the essentials 

Attorney explains renters rights

Comments