LANDLORD TENANT DISPUTES FAQs

What are the responsibilities of my landlord?

Landlords are charged with the responsibility of ensuring the safety and maintenance of building. Landlords must make strives to provide basic living necessities such as cold/hot water, in addition to making repairs.

Can you name some tenant responsibilities?

• Pay the rent punctually.

• Keep your dwelling in good, clean shape.

• Don’t disturb neighbors.

• Fix any damage done to the apartment as a result of the tenant or tenant’s visitors’ actions. Inform landlord immediately of major damage.

• Allow landlord to enter the dwelling at reasonable times so as to make needed repairs.

• Upon vacating dwelling, the tenant must give his or her landlord an appropriate advanced notice. Your apartment should be left in the same state in which it was when you moved in.

• Immediately let your landlord know about any maintenance requests you need. This avoids moving out and having to pay for these damages.

Are move-in and out dates required by landlord to be prorated?

No, they don’t have to. However, it is quite common, for them to prorate the initial weeks so that they can receive full rent on the first of the each month.

Can my landlord enter my apartment whenever they please?

Generally, no. However, under certain circumstances, he or she can enter your unit. For example, they may do so:

• During a reasonable time after giving you notice to do so

• To perform repairs that you asked for

• In observance of the lease

• To show off the unit to potential renters

• In an emergency: whenever, without notification

I thought I was supposed to get back my security deposit?

Yes, at the end of your lease, you are allowed to have your security deposit returned. But, you won’t receive your deposit back until the landlord walks through your unit to make sure you are not responsible for certain damages. If so, the landlord is allowed to subtract the cost of repairs from the security deposit.

Are building owners allowed to discriminate?

Owners are prohibited from discriminating against anybody, regardless of race, creed, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or other factors. Additionally, tenants who have children cannot have housing turned down because of children.

Should my landlord give me a copy of any document I sign?

Yes. Anyone who signs a document for his or her landlord should get a copy of it. No exceptions. The more records you keep, the better. You are allowed to ask for one free copy during your stay in your apartment.

Even though I already signed my lease, I changed my mind and don’t want to move in. What can I do?

Remember, never fail to actually look at your unit, and thoroughly investigate it, prior to signing anything. It’s quite possible that you’ll be able to work out a sort of compromise with your landlord and pardoned from your agreement. Breaking your lease does not absolve you of any fines you are charged or owe.

What is a sublease?

A sublease is a rental arrangement agreed upon by two tenants. For example, a tenant renting a house might decide they want to rent out his or her rooms to someone else. In this situation, the old and new tenants create a contract, where the new tenant simply pays rent to the old one.