Ya Can't Take It With Ya

You've made your house a home, feathered your nest and now you're moving.  What can you take with you and what stays with the property?
If you changed out anything on the property, like light fixtures, cabinet handles, door knobs, etc. they stay unless you kept the original ones and are re-installing them before you move out.
If you shared the cost of any floor improvements the floor improvements stay and you will probably not be reimbursed for your share since you enjoyed living with the improvement and it is now no longer new.
Was there a yard that you put some plants in?  Unless they're in pots you cannot remove them.
If you upgraded any existing appliances those will probably stay too unless you clearly discussed that with your landlord before you spent the money.

Wanted: Ideal Landlord

Wanted:  Ideal Landlord
Will maintain property.  Will respond promptly to maintenance requests.  Will not raise voice even though tenant may raise his.  Will clearly explain lease and delineate expectations with tenant.  Will not divulge personal information.  Will charge fair rents.  Will have emergency number available for after hours calls.  Will not enter rental units without notice except in case of emergency when tenant is unreachable.  Will not charge extra for credit counseling, interior decorating, roommate mediation or psychotherapy.

Wanted: Ideal Tenant

Wanted:  Ideal Tenant.  Must have decent credit with no bankruptcies, evictions or current accounts in collections.  Must have income that's three times the rent.  Current landlord must report no late payments or 3 day notices.  Will notify Property Manager of any maintenance issues and will not cut side deals with vendors.  Will respect quiet hours and not park in the wrong spot.  Will be familiar with terms of lease and able to locate a copy.  Will be aware of what constitues a true emergency and will not call emergency number when skunks are on roof at 2 a.m.  Will not ask Property Manager nosy questions about fellow tenants. 

The Dog Ate My Rent Check

The first 5 days of the month are the busiest in our office.  Rents are due on the 1st and delinquent on the 2nd.  Over the years we've heard lots of excuses as to where those elusive funds happen to be.  Perhaps because when you visit or call our office you deal with a live person. You're not an account on a computer and I can't imagine tenants calling their Visa card and offering the same excuses.  The most popular are:
"the check's in the mail"
"my roommate/spouse/partner sent it"
"I'm mailing it right now"
"I'm out of checks and have to order some new ones"
Recently we heard a new one.  Last month Cinco de Mayo was celebrated.
"I didn't pay my rent because it was Cinco de Mayo"
So...you were too drunk to write a check?  You blew your rent money on Tequila?