Q: If there's a disaster and everything is ruined in my apartment, doesn't my landlord's insurance cover me?

A: Not usually. Your landlord's insurance policy doesn't include your possessions; it only extends to the landlord's property. Your personal contents as a tenant are your responsibility to insure, which can be accomplished by having renter's insurance, known as a HO4 policy.

Similar to a homeowner's policy, some leases even require tenants to obtain a renter's insurance policy.  more...

Question: I signed a one-year lease three months ago and just found a great house that I can afford to buy. My rental is very noisy, which makes it difficult to sleep. Also, the yard is really too small for my large dog and it is quite a walk to the closest bus stop for my son to go to school. My landlord is very nice, but the amount we pay for rent is close to what our mortgage would be. Are there agreeable ways to break a lease, or should I just hold off buying a house for nine more months? I have been told that you can find a replacement renter and not lose any money.  more...