3 Things Knowing Local Tenant Laws Can Save You From

Almost everyone who moves out of their parents’ home initially rents their own place. It can be an apartment or a house, with one bedroom or four, but it will be rented. Because of this, almost everyone has to deal with landlords. They are generally fair to their tenants. However, if you rent enough, or are just unlucky, you will run into a bad one. A bad property manager can pester you about rent, even if it is not yet due, refuse to fix things that are broken on the property, and generally make your life miserable. When you finally move in, they can do the worst trick, withholding your security deposit. Knowing the local tenant law or hiring an attorney who knows it can save you from all of this.

Aggravation

The first sign that you have a bad landlord will be that he likes to aggravate his tenants. You may be hunted for rent every month, even if you have up to the fifth to pay. Or they could threaten you with fines due to wear and tear. If you know the local laws and you know what’s in your lease, you can quickly close a harassing landlord. Is the rent they are claiming late? Point out that you have a signed contract stating that it doesn’t expire until the fifth, no matter what they say. The damage you are inflicting on the ground? All rental laws have language that states that normal wear and tear on items, caused by normal, daily use, is expected and cannot be penalized.

Refusal to fix items

Homeowners often get into the business of renting their properties because it seems like easy money. However, rent for a full month or more can disappear when repairs are needed on the property. This is why many homeowners will ignore repair requests. Knowing your local tenant law can help you understand what items your landlord is legally required to repair and what you can do if they don’t get them repaired in a timely manner. Even luxuries like a dishwasher need to be fixed, as you agreed to the lease with the understanding that the property had a dishwasher.

Withholding security deposit

The most common and frustrating thing that landlords do is withhold all or part of their security deposit after moving out. They may fabricate damages or have exorbitant cleaning fees to justify not returning the money. Most tenant laws require that the deposit be returned within a specified period, often 30 days. If part of the deposit is withheld, many jurisdictions require an explanation and even receipts. If your property manager does not follow these laws, you can often recover all or part of the withheld deposit. Local statutes can also give you a clearer understanding of whether they were committing a crime.

In conclusion, it is important to know the local tenant law, as it can save you from harassment, complete your repairs, and help you receive your security deposit intact.