The Virginia Housing Development Agency (VHDA) has recently made available a free online renter education course titled “How to be a Successful Renter,” which covers the rights and responsibilities of renting.
The online education course is designed to equip renters with the knowledge necessary to be responsible tenants and to avoid the eviction process. It is divided into nine sections, with an assessment at the end of each that learners must pass to earn a certificate. The nine sections are:
- Are You Financially Ready to Rent?;
- The Ins & Outs of Credit;
- How to Find the Right Place;
- Handling the Application Process;
- Understanding the Lease Agreement;
- Getting Back Your Security Deposit;
- Life as a Renter: Rights & Responsibilities;
- Housekeeping, Maintenance & Repairs; and
- The Right Way to Terminate the Lease.
The course is online and mobile compatible, which allows users the flexibility to complete the sections of interest according to their schedules. Please visit vhda.com/renters to learn more about the free course. It is currently available in English and will be offered in Spanish in the near future.
