One of the conditions of breaking my lease early is that I keep heat in the apartment. Is that legal?
The landlord stated in his response letter to me that if I do not that I am responsible if the pipes freeze. The sources of heat in the apartment are old wall heaters in each room -- except bathroom -- and a small stove fireplace in the living room. I don't use the wall heaters but rather two radiator heaters and the fireplace.
I figured because I am not occupying the apartment that he would sign up for power after I had turned it off but am unsure of what the law would say about that. In case it matters, I live in TN.
Unless you are no longer living there, I believe that you, as tenant, have a responsibility to maintain the property as you found it except for normal "wear and tear".
Turning off the heat, in freezing weather, when you leave the apartment, where the potential of the pipes freezing is evident, can subject you to payment for any damages resulting from the water damage if the pipes freeze and burst.
However, if you have vacated the property and did not keep the heat on, I believe that you have no responsibility if the pipes freeze. The landlord could/ should have inspected the premises at or around the time you left to see whether or not there was any significant damage beyond "normal wear and tear". S/he had the opportunity to turn on the heat (using his/her account) if s/he had a concern about freezing pipes.
I have the feeling that s/he wants an excuse to keep your security deposit. I would recommend that you inform the landlord to remit your deposit within the week or you will seek legal counsel. Contact the local bar association for references (real estate attorney or civil litigator), or you can take the landlord to Small Claims Court (call your county courthouse and ask for the Clerk's Office) they should be able to give you assistance.
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Can Your Custom Metal Sign Outlast An Entire Business?
Even When You Retire, Your Metal Sign Will Keep On Working
My husband has been in real estate for over a decade now. Each year has been better than his last thanks to his hard work and willingness to learn more every day. He also works with a great crew of people, making him love his career even more. One of his favorite and most respected mentors retired this year and left to my husband a host of useful business items. Among them were some custom metal signs bearing the company's signature colors and logo. And those metal signs, despite years of use and being exposed to the outdoors in people's yards, looked as good as new.
My husband was grateful to accept these signs, yet later said to me that he was going to have to find someone else to pass them along to. Why? My husband's own metal signs are even newer than his former colleague's, so he has no use for them at this point. And because they are so affordable, he has an overstock of real estate metal signs in our garage (he's an optimist).
Apparently, when a person invests in metal signs, he or she is investing in a product so durable that it may actually outlive its original intended use!
What Makes Metal Signs So Durable and Enduring?
Aluminum is a wonder material from mother nature, a metal that is both lightweight and strong, flexible yet sturdy. While other metals rust at the first sign of moisture, aluminum was graced with aluminum oxide, a natural coating that protects it from unsightly, damaging rust. It is the best choice of metals for any custom exterior sign, as varying grades of thickness in aluminum sheeting can also withstand heavy winds along with heavy rain.
If you have doubts regarding the enduring qualities of metal signs, then look no further than the next STOP sign or road sign. Yes, they are a little more substantial than real estate metal signs, but they are still metal signs, just made of higher gauge aluminum sheeting. And do you see municipal workers out there, changing STOP signs very often? No, because metal signs are built for longevity.
How Thick Are Metal Signs?
Now you're probably wondering what else you can use metal signs for. Real estate signs are an obvious popular choice, but certainly they are just one type of metal sign available. Other types of metal signs are larger signs mounted against a wall or fence or between two posts.
You're now aware that street signs are simple metal signs. Other uses for custom metal signs include yard sale signs, political signs, directional signs, constructions signs, business signage, and the list goes on.
Smaller metal signs such as real estate signs are made with the thinnest grade of aluminum, a standard .040" thickness. This is small and sturdy for signs up to 18" high x 24" wide.
For larger metal signs, the next higher grade aluminum is .063". This is considered heavy duty aluminum and is less likely to bow or bend than a .040" in the same size sign.
Finally, the thickest available aluminum sign is .080". Metal signs using this extra-strong material are road signs and other signs of such a large size. And even though .080" is the thickest, most durable grade of aluminum, you can see how thin it still is, making it lightweight and easy to mount.
Why Do Graphics On Metal Signs Last So Long?
As I said earlier, the metal signs for real estate my husband inherited from his friend looked to be in prime condition even after several years of use. This included a clean, clear surface with graphics shiny and intact on each sign.
Aluminum sheeting is offered in several background colors from the factory for smaller, .040" thickness signs. Larger, .063" and .080" come in white and no color, respectively. The aluminum is also baked in enamel before being made into your custom sign, giving the aluminum a glossy, smooth look and adding extra strength.
If you desire a color on your real estate metal sign that is not offered by the factory, or wish for a color other than white, then sign shops such as ours can cut and apply a thin, adhesive vinyl onto any metal sign in any color for you. And how professional is the result? Any STOP sign should tell you, because they are adorned with adhesive vinyl color and lettering! And again, how often do you see people replacing STOP signs?
Vinyl lettering is also easy to customize in order to achieve any look you want for your metal sign, so just let the sign shop know what you want!
You Won't Need To Retire Your Metal Sign!
Because aluminum is inexpensive, durable, weather resistant, and easy to 'dress up', it is a very popular choice amongst business owners looking for good, lasting quality signage. So invest in as many custom aluminum signs as you need, and ensure that your business lasts as long as they do!
About the Author
Robin Harrelson, also nationally known as TheSignChef, is a visionary in the sign industry. With her husband Tim, their live, interactive website provides instant access to unique online signs tools, how-to videos and corporate class custom signage.
For 23 years, TheSignChef has accumulated a wealth of industry-specific knowledge to create masterpieces which are guaranteed to delight! For the first time, TheSignChef is inviting us behind the scenes and into the "kitchen" to share secret sign recipes, tips and tricks. So come on in for a bite!
