Any downsides to renting a house?

[VeryViolet]

Renting is awesome because everything that breaks is someone else's problem. I would make sure that it is spelled out really clearly who is responsible for exterior maintenance. If it is you make sure you are prepared for that but also that you don't have to provide any of the tools necessary.

[Alyssa]

We're renting a house. We sold our condo and decided to rent because right now we don't have enough cash for a down payment on a new place.

This is so First World, but one thing that I don't like is being stuck with the bottom of the barrel appliances. It's hard to go from high end brand new stuff to an oven that doesn't even come with a timer or temperature gauge. Our fridge is tiny and barely holds enough food for 4 people. Our dryer mangles anything with snaps. If we were owning this place the appliances would have been tossed months ago.

I also don't like feeling like we are simply borrowing space from someone else. There's no pride of ownership.

[luvvy]

It's great unless you have crap landlords. I kind of miss renting some days.

[pantsparty]

I know you know the area you're renting, but when we initially moved, renting was awesome because we figured out we didn't want to live in that neighborhood. We would have been stuck with that house. Plus it will break up all the changes - moving AND buying a new house, in an area you're not living in, is incredibly stressful.

[stephlove]

I loved renting for the fact that if something breaks, someone else will usually fix it for you.

We only bought because renting was nearly double the cost of a mortgage. I was paying $800 for a 3 bedroom townhouse to rent, and I ended up buying a house that is double the size and only pay $530 a month.

...but then again, I have to pay for all problems, like the $2000 water line break. So full circle, I suppose.

[lexxasaurus]

I loved renting a house. Make sure you know what you're/they're responsible and if there are things you're liable for (like windows if they're broken) and see if you can get ant reviews for the property management. I had a great experience though!

[Deleted]

I've done both. Renting houses always worked out fine for me.

[AlpineSlide]

We're going from owning to renting right now as we transition to moving back to DH's hometown (we plan to build there in a year or two and just need a transitional house). The only downside is that the rental house did not provide all appliances, so we're bringing our fridge and washer/dryer. They also let us paint anything that isn't woodwork, I know some places don't let you paint.

ETA-Another positive thing is that if anything breaks that DH can fix himself, the landlords said go ahead and fix it ourselves and then deduct the cost/materials from our rent check. That will be so much nicer than having to coordinate repair people especially when we have a new baby and DH works thirds.

[EmilieMadison]

Unless you have a shitty landlord (it happens), then it's awesome. I love renting.

[viciouskittie]

Crappy landlords have been mentioned but is a serious downside sometimes. Our prior landlord was constantly asking for access to the unit (seriously, sometimes multiple times a week) and the final straw was when we came home once and he was in our unit   Plus he never had his address changed for the majority of his bills and we were always having to put his mail out for him to come pick up. 

The downside to where we are renting now is if there are issues with the neighbours, they call our landlord instead of coming to, I don't know...TALK to us? We've always been really pleasant with the neighbours, and our landlord is pretty easy going about it, but it just feels a bit like tattling, particularly since we're conscientious neighbours. 

[sineadorebellion]

I think we'll probably rent forever. We're not handy people. We're not particularly into doing yard work either (Thank you, South TX heat and humidity). We'd rather just let others be responsible for it. Even in our last apartment, they were totally cool with letting us paint, so long as it wasn't crazy. I like not really being tied down to it.

[kristie]

Renting was more expensive than buying for the last few years. I have rented my whole adult life until a few months ago. I like the freedom of it, hate the lack of autonomy when it comes to the house. The rental market here is crazy stupid at this point, so I was over it. As long as your land lord doesn't suck, it isn't so bad. But a bad one can make your life hell.

[bornbaker]

The only thing I don't like about renting is that we can't paint our walls. Or change the carpet.

I'm stuck with dijon mustard yellow walls (which were ok and I now hate) and carpet that I'm not a fan of (it's off white, kinda shaggy, and always looks smooshed and dirty to me.)

[Deleted]

i like renting.. only thing i don't like is if the landlord would sell the house and the new people wouldn't continue renting

[TC]

I would probably rent for an inappropriate amount of time if I didn't plan to get more large breed dogs. This is seriously the only reason I am eager to buy a house in the somewhat near future.

[stealthmom]

Just make sure you're not responsible for the yard. That would be a dealbreaker for me. Otherwise it's no different than an apt.