What is a tenant?

A tenant is someone who pays rent to reside in a residential or commercial property (home, house, condominium, townhouse) that belongs to somebody else.

What is a landlord?

A proprietor is the owner of the residential or commercial property that the renter lives in.

What is a residential or commercial property manager?

Sometimes, the owner of the residential or commercial property hires someone to manage and manage their residential or commercial property for them.

What is a lease?

A lease is a written agreement in between you (the renter) and the property manager, allowing you to reside in the residential or commercial property in exchange for lease. For your defense, you must just get in into a written lease. The lease states what you are accountable for, and what the proprietor is accountable for. Both you and the property manager sign the lease and you both need to do what the lease states. Leases are often tough to understand, even for native English speakers, so it is best to have someone you trust assist you comprehend your lease, or contact a lawyer to assist you.

What is rent?

This is the amount of cash you will pay the property manager every month. Rent is paid beforehand, suggesting that rent is due at the beginning of the month, normally on the first of the month, for that month. Ensure you know where and how to pay the lease - online? By check? Cash? If you pay your lease in cash, constantly get a receipt as proof of your payment.

What is the regard to the lease?

This is the time duration you and the property owner agree that you can reside in the residential or commercial property, and you will pay rent. The majority of the time the term is for one year, however it can be less or more if both you and the proprietor concur. When this term is over, you and the proprietor can sign a brand-new lease-if you both agree-and start all over. Or, you can leave the residential or commercial property.

What are the important things the landlord is accountable for?

Mainly, the proprietor is responsible for making sure the residential or commercial property is fit to reside in and standard things work. Most repairs are usually the landlord's duty, specifically larger things like the heating system, hot water heater, air conditioner, range, fridge, dishwasher, etc. Make sure the lease has either the property manager's or residential or commercial property manager's contact information-telephone number, e-mail address, etc.-and how to get in touch with the landlord or residential or commercial property manager in an emergency situation.

What are the primary things the occupant is accountable for?

You are required to 1) pay rent and 2) keep the residential or commercial property in excellent condition. Any other responsibilities will be listed in the lease. Sometimes the tenant is accountable for small repair work and the property manager is accountable for significant repair work. Ensure you understand what repair work you are accountable for before you sign the lease. The occupant is also responsible to spend for any damages that they, or any of their visitors, cause.

What is a security deposit?

This is money that you provide the proprietor to hold in case you fail to pay rent or if you damage the residential or commercial property. The security deposit is your cash. If you do everything that the lease says you are required to do (for the most part, remain for the complete regard to the lease, pay your rent, and don't damage the residential or commercial property) then you should get your security deposit back at the end of the lease. This need to occur within one month after the lease has actually ended, or 60 days if that's what the lease says, but it can never ever be more than 60 days after the lease has actually ended. The proprietor must supply you a composed declaration that shows any deductions from the down payment, and why it was deducted. In addition to this declaration, the landlord must provide you any money that is because of you. If you do not agree with the part of your security deposit that was kept by the proprietor, you can go to small claims court and have a judge decide. You can get more information about small claims court from the county in which you live. Also, see the resources listed below for more aid.

What am I expected to pay before relocating?

Most of the time you will be required to pay the first month's lease plus a down payment, which is usually equivalent to one month's lease. Sometimes it can be more. Also, if you are relocating the middle of a month, you may be needed to pay lease for the part of the month you will be residing in the residential or commercial property. For example, let's state the lease is $1,500 per month and you are moving in on the 1st of the month. You will pay the first month's lease, $1,500, plus the security deposit, $1,500, for an overall of $3,000. But if you move in on the 20th of the month, you will most likely need to pay $500 for the 10 days of the current month (1/3 of a month), plus the $3,000 described above.

What else do I need to pay each month besides rent?

Rent might not be all that you need to pay. Usually, most utilities-electricity, gas, water, internet, cable TV-are paid by you. Everything that you are responsible to spend for will be noted in the lease. Sometimes, some utilities are included in the rent, however many of the time they are not, and you are needed to pay them. Make certain you understand everything that you are required to spend for before you sign the lease.

Is the lease negotiable?

Many items in the lease are negotiable and can be altered if you and the proprietor both agree. The two most common things that people try to negotiate are the term and the rent. Let's say the landlord desires a tenant for one year, however you only wish to remain for 6 months. The term will be decided by what you both agree to. Same with the lease. Remember, both you and the property manager should concur.

How should I interact with the property manager or residential or commercial property supervisor?

Try to communicate with your property manager in writing when possible (email, and so on) Obviously, you can call, however attempt to follow that with an e-mail to validate what was said. If it is an important matter, you need to send a letter by certified mail. In an emergency situation, call the emergency number that ought to be in your lease. If that number is not in your lease, ask for it before you move in.

How do I submit a problem on a residential or commercial property supervisor?

You can file a grievance against a residential or commercial property manager with the Division of Real Estate.

Filing a Complaint

Can the property owner or residential or commercial property manager visit the residential or commercial property while you are living there?

Your property manager or residential or commercial property supervisor may wish to visit the residential or commercial property from time to time to check on its condition, however the landlord or residential or commercial property manager can not just come by whenever they desire (an exception is if there is an emergency). They must provide you sensible notice or get your authorization, and it must be at a sensible time. Check your lease arrangement concerning this notice and the landlord's right to get in the residential or commercial property. Once you rent the residential or commercial property from the property manager, it is your home for the term of the lease, and you have a right to personal privacy.

Can I be charged a late fee if my rent payment is late?

Yes, only if your lease payment is late by 7 or more days and the late charge is stated in your lease. You should receive notice of the late charge within 180 days of the date on which your lease payment was due. Late charges charged by landlords and residential or commercial property supervisors are limited to the greater of $50 or 5% of the past due rent payment.

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Can I be evicted from the residential or commercial property?

An eviction is a legal procedure that a proprietor should go through to remove you from the residential or commercial property. This procedure is typically used when a renter breaches one or more lease terms, for example, failing to pay lease, not leaving the residential or commercial property after the lease term ends, enabling individuals who aren't on the lease to stay in the residential or commercial property, or conducting unlawful activity on the residential or commercial property. For details on your rights if you are being evicted, see the resources listed below.