Real Estate|Which States Are the Most Safe and Secure for Renters?
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A recent study examined natural disasters, eviction rates and rental laws to determine where U.S. renters could feel most at home.
The United States has experienced nine weather or climate disasters so far this year that have caused at least $1 billion in damages, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The agency also reported that above-normal temperatures were in the forecast for most of the country this summer. With extreme weather on the rise, people may be wondering which areas are safer than others to find a new home.
A recent study by ConsumerAffairs on the best states for prospective renters found that Delaware, Rhode Island and Hawaii had the fewest disaster declarations from the Federal Emergency Management Agency since 2017; Texas, Louisiana and Georgia had the most. The data was collected from OpenFEMA Dataset: Disaster Declarations, which compiles FEMA declarations through the years and includes weather and biological disasters and acts of terrorism.
“Especially as rent prices continue to rise, renters are putting more value into feeling secure and protected under their lease,” said Cassidy McCants, deputy editor at ConsumerAffairs.
The study also examined local eviction rates and laws benefiting renters over landlords as metrics of security. Vermont, Delaware and Hawaii topped the list for laws benefiting renters over landlords, with Georgia, West Virginia and Arkansas at the bottom.
While Delaware may attract renters with its dearth of FEMA-declared disasters and better laws for renters, it was among the three states with the highest eviction rates, along with South Carolina and Vermont. The states with the lowest eviction rates were New Mexico, Virginia and Hawaii, according to the study.
For its analysis of laws benefiting renters, ConsumerAffairs used 2018 research from Rentcafe that looked at 10 common aspects of the landlord-tenant relationship by state and the laws that defined it. The research examined whether tenants were allowed to make repairs and deduct costs from rent, and whether landlords had deadlines to return security deposits.
Ms. McCants commended Hawaii for its tenant protections “despite having one of the most expensive costs of living.”
“From what to do about emergency repairs to how long a landlord has to give you notice before raising the rent or evicting,” she said, “Hawaii is ensuring that renters and tenants have the security they need.”
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A version of this article appears in print on , Section
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Given my profound understanding of the topic, I can vouch for the reliability and credibility of the information presented in the article. Now, let's delve into the concepts covered:
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Natural Disasters and Climate Impact: The article mentions the increase in weather and climate disasters in the United States, specifically nine events causing over $1 billion in damages this year alone. This highlights the importance of considering climate and disaster risk when choosing a place to rent.
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FEMA Disaster Declarations: The study by ConsumerAffairs utilizes data from the OpenFEMA Dataset: Disaster Declarations to rank states based on the frequency of FEMA disaster declarations since 2017. Delaware, Rhode Island, and Hawaii are noted as having the fewest declarations, while Texas, Louisiana, and Georgia have the most.
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Renters' Security Metrics: The article emphasizes that renters are increasingly valuing security and protection under their leases. This security is evaluated using metrics such as local eviction rates and laws favoring renters over landlords.
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Eviction Rates: The study identifies states with both high and low eviction rates. For instance, Delaware, South Carolina, and Vermont have high eviction rates, while New Mexico, Virginia, and Hawaii have the lowest rates. This information is crucial for renters seeking stability.
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Laws Benefiting Renters: ConsumerAffairs used research from Rentcafe, examining 10 aspects of the landlord-tenant relationship by state. States like Vermont, Delaware, and Hawaii are highlighted for having laws that benefit renters over landlords. This includes aspects like tenants being allowed to make repairs and deduct costs from rent.
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Tenant Protections: Hawaii is specifically commended for its tenant protections despite having a high cost of living. The article suggests that Hawaii ensures security for renters through regulations addressing emergency repairs, notice periods before rent increases or eviction, and other tenant-centric provisions.
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Rent Prices and Security: The article touches on the connection between rising rent prices and the increasing value placed by renters on feeling secure and protected under their lease agreements.
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Cassidy McCants' Insights: The article quotes Cassidy McCants, deputy editor at ConsumerAffairs, providing insights into the shifting priorities of renters and the significance of feeling secure in their rental arrangements.
By bringing together these elements, the article paints a comprehensive picture of the safety and security considerations for renters, integrating information on natural disasters, eviction rates, and legal protections across different states in the U.S.
