Tenants’ rights are an important form of protection when renting. It pays to be well informed about your rights, so you can protect yourself when necessary. Tenants’ rights cover a range of things such as how you are able to use your space, the responsibilities of your landlord and the very basic factors that you’re entitled to. Here are a few tenants’ rights laws that you should know.
The Right to a Habitable Home
This is arguably one of the most important but glossed over right. All tenants have the right to a habitable residence. While this may seem obvious, there are many people that are living in awful conditions that should be reported.
Under tenants’ rights, your home must be a safe place to live in, without dangerous conditions and with utilities, heat and water. Your landlord is required to make any necessary repairs to keep your unit in reasonable condition during your tenancy.
The Right to Privacy
Another important factor of tenants’ rights, is the right to privacy. Despite owning the property, the landlord isn’t permitted to come into your home without prior notice given. Depending on your state, the amount of notice given will differ slightly.
Your Eviction Rights
If you break the terms of your lease agreement, your landlord is within their rights to evict you. Some of these breaches include failure to pay rent, conducting illegal activity and subletting.
Your landlord still has to follow the legal process when it comes to evictions and your tenants’ rights entitle you to notice of a claim of eviction and time to pay the unpaid rent or fix whatever you have done to breach the lease. If you fail to do so, then the landlord can esclate the process by filing an eviction proceeding in court. You must receive this notice and have an opportunity to appear in court.
Your Security Deposit Rights
When renting, you are usually required to pay a security deposit to protect the landlord against any potential damages. In some states, these deposit amounts are capped, however if they aren’t, your landlord must treat all renters fairly and should refrain from imposing a higher deposit without good reason (this can include renting to a tenant with a pet).
State laws oversee how long the landlord has to return the deposit and if interest will be accrued. If some of your deposit is kept, you are entitled to written documentation of the damage it is being used for.
Learn More About Your Tenants’ Rights
To protect yourself when renting, ensure that you read your lease thoroughly so you understand exactly what you are agreeing to. Also, take as many photos as you need before you move in to show the condition of the home.
Renter’s insurance will help protect your personal belongings from theft and damage. Try to develop open communication with your landlord and report any repairs that are needed as quickly as possible.
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Read our previous blog post here: How to Collect Rent On-time