Renting property in CA - additional expenses?

[Viper_Larry]

What additional costs should I be looking at over and above the basic rental price of a property in California? Ignoring the usual gas, electic, phone/internet, water - is there an equivalent to Council tax when renting or some other municipal charges I should be aware of?

[unrepentant]

Property tax is due twice a year and is based on the value of the house.

http://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/proptax.htm

AFAIK property taxes are often included in the lease so you might ask the landlord.

[Matt Harper]

Property tax is the responsibility of the Lessor (landlord) and not the lessee (you).
Is this a privately owned property or an apartment complex?
There may also be some service/landscape/HOA/parking permit fees if it's in a scum-hive, rather than a single-occupancy house.

[Viper_Larry]

Hopefully will be a single occupancy house.

[Matt Harper]

In that case, I think you'll find that the whole package will be rolled into one monthly payment - utilities will be your responsibility, naturally. There may also be a fairly hefty deposit payable on signing of the lease - and many of these are 6 month renewals, giving the lessor more ability to turf you out if he doesn't like the cut of your jib.

[jeff m2]

Viper_Larry said:

Hopefully will be a single occupancy house.

Single occupancy house, you will get all the bills plus you'll be expected to cut the lawn etc.

Condo living, varies a lot, but good chance you'll get pool and tennis courts inside the complex.
No grass cutting, mabye free internet, gas and water......and possibly 1st Month free depending on their occupancy rate.

Condo living negatives are insufficient number of parking spaces. Carrying cases of bottled water or soda from the other side of the lot gets to be a bit of chore after a while.

I lasted 5 months in a Condo.

ETA Condo...even minor car repairs are not really possible.

[pasogrande]

Graham,

Don't forget renter's insurance. You need to take a copy of the landlord's insurance with you to ensure there are no gaps in coverage. Typically the landlord will cover the structure only; hopefully (s)he will also pay flood insurance. You need the rest.

Wilf.