Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-03
RENTING A HOUSE.
Choose a Rainy. Gloomy Day to
Look for n New House.
written for the Dispatch.)


| House hunting and house renting usual.
| 1y devolve on the woman OF the family
| Changing the home entails many arduous
tasks. with choosing new one easily In
the lead.
or course, women have more aptitude In
selecting a home, because using the
house more than a man, they learn to
look for its drawbacks and advantages.
But on the other hand, fues and drains
are as sealed books to most OF them, and
and on these the health and happiness
depends almost more than on pantries
and heaters. 1t is possible to live com.
fortably without a bathroom, but equally
impossible to retain temper with a leaky
roof As far as possible before taking a
house every detail should be looked to.
II the house under consideration Is oc-
cupied, 1t Is generally very easy 10 obtain
information. Where the house has range,
hot and cold water, heater. and BATH
room, which usually together are desig-
mated as conveniences. questions should
be asked as to drawing OF the two fires,
amount Of coal used and heat thrown off /;
the drains should be inspected to see II
they are stopped In any way. and the
liability OF the water TO freeze inquired
into. Some water-pipes are laid careless.
~ and freeze at the slightest drop in
temperature. The baking qualities Of the
range. and also the state Of bricks. CRATES.
ETC.. eeen to, and a note made Of the
state Of papering and painting.
II the house be unoccupied. a rainy
day Is preferable to n clear one, as any
leakages In the roof or sides can be
quickly detected. Then, too, the gloomi-
ness Of the place Is more apparent. The
draft can be noted By lighting paper
in the stove and opening the damper OF
heater or range. II all right It will be
denoted by a bright blaze and n swift.
rushing sound. 1t obstructed, the fame
Will only burn DULY and finally die out.
Any repairs TO be made should be In
sisted upon before renting. Broken win
dows. fre-bricks. etc, can only be de-
manded Of landlord before possession is
taken. Owners and agents are always on |
the lookout for good tenants. and when |
sure of their rent usually fix up the |
premises In the beginning. but afterwards |
It's mighty little they ever do toward re-
pairs.
a snappy, churllsh landlord is never an |
agreeable party TO rent from Make out a |
list OF everything in the house needing /
repairs, and II he growls and tells you.
az so many do. that they will do nothing.
Just strike the house from your list. 1t Is
much better In the long run.
Also, beware OF the man who tells you
% TX up yourself and take II out or the
'ent, or. rather, beware Of that way of |
Icing business, unless you have a writ
en- guarantee to indemnify you should
'ou. by any chance. move before your
'ent has equalled the amount spent on
epairs. Never be backward Is showing
'oursef a business-woman, and II, after
aking possession. broken sewer-pipe.
n Waterman, or roof, is not attended
o. just refuse to pay your rent till II U.s.
{ may not be law. but generally a land.
ord will soon come around when brought
o the strait of losing his rent. OF course,
n this case. as In all others. discretion
must be used, but an out-spoken tenant
generally better treated in the end than
meek one. who endures all kinds OF
ardships uncomplaningiy.
KENNEL WOOD