What is a tenant?

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

What is a property owner?

A landlord is the owner of the residential or commercial property that the renter resides in.

What is a residential or commercial property supervisor?

Sometimes, the owner of the residential or commercial property employs somebody to oversee and manage their residential or commercial property for them.

What is a lease?

A lease is a written arrangement between you (the tenant) and the property manager, permitting you to live in the residential or commercial property in exchange for lease. For your security, you must only enter into a composed lease. The lease says what you are responsible for, and what the proprietor is responsible for. Both you and the proprietor sign the lease and you both must do what the lease states. Leases are often difficult to comprehend, even for native English speakers, so it is best to have someone you rely on assist you understand your lease, or get in touch with a lawyer to help you.

What is rent?

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

What is the term of the lease?

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

What are the things the property owner is accountable for?

Mainly, the proprietor is responsible for making sure the residential or commercial property is fit to live in and fundamental things work. Most repair work are normally the landlord's obligation, specifically bigger things like the furnace, hot water heating unit, air conditioning unit, range, fridge, dishwashing machine, and so on. Ensure the lease has either the proprietor's or residential or commercial property manager's contact information-telephone number, e-mail address, etc.-and how to get in touch with the property manager or residential or commercial property manager in an emergency situation.

What are the main points the tenant is accountable for?

You are required to 1) pay rent and 2) keep the residential or commercial property in great condition. Any other obligations will be listed in the lease. Sometimes the renter is accountable for minor repair work and the property owner is accountable for significant repairs. Make certain you know what repair work you are accountable for before you sign the lease. The tenant is likewise responsible to pay for any damages that they, or any of their guests, cause.

What is a down payment?

This is cash that you offer the proprietor to keep in case you stop working to pay rent or if you damage the residential or commercial property. The security deposit is your money. If you do everything that the lease states you are needed to do (in many cases, stay for the full term of the lease, pay your rent, and do not damage the residential or commercial property) then you ought to get your security deposit back at the end of the lease. This must take place within 30 days after the lease has ended, or 60 days if that's what the lease says, but it can never be more than 60 days after the lease has ended. The property owner should supply you a composed declaration that reveals any reductions from the security deposit, and why it was subtracted. In addition to this statement, the landlord should provide you any money that is due to you. If you do not agree with the part of your security deposit that was kept by the property manager, you can go to little claims court and have a judge decide. You can get more info about small claims court from the county in which you live. Also, see the resources noted below for more help.

What am I anticipated to pay before moving in?

Most of the time you will be needed to pay the 1st month's rent plus a security deposit, which is usually equivalent to one month's lease. Sometimes it can be more. Also, if you are moving in 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 instance, let's state the rent is $1,500 each month and you are moving in on the 1st of the month. You will pay the first month's rent, $1,500, plus the security deposit, $1,500, for a total 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 existing month (1/3 of a month), plus the $3,000 explained above.

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

Rent might not be all that you have to pay. Usually, most utilities-electricity, natural gas, water, web, cable TV-are paid by you. Everything that you are accountable to spend for will be noted in the lease. Sometimes, some energies are included in the lease, however the majority of the time they are not, and you are needed to pay them. Ensure you comprehend everything that you are needed to pay for before you sign the lease.

Is the lease negotiable?

Many products in the lease are negotiable and can be altered if you and the property owner both concur. The two most typical things that individuals try to negotiate are the term and the rent. Let's say the property manager desires a tenant for one year, but you just wish to remain for 6 months. The term will be chosen by what you both consent to. Same with the rent. Remember, both you and the property manager should agree.

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

Try to interact with your landlord in writing when possible (email, etc) Naturally, you can call, but try to follow that with an email to confirm what was stated. If it is a crucial matter, you must send a letter by licensed mail. In an emergency situation, call the emergency situation number that must be in your lease. If that number is not in your lease, ask for it before you relocate.

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

You can file a problem versus a residential or commercial property supervisor with the Division of Real Estate.

Filing a Grievance

Can the landlord or residential or commercial property supervisor visit the residential or commercial property while you are living there?

Your property manager or residential or commercial property manager may wish to visit the residential or commercial property from time to time to examine on its condition, but the property owner or residential or commercial property supervisor can not just come by whenever they want (an exception is if there is an emergency situation). They need to offer you reasonable notice or get your approval, and it must be at an affordable time. Check your lease arrangement worrying this notification and the proprietor's right to go into the residential or commercial property. Once you rent the residential or commercial property from the property owner, it is your home for the term of the lease, and you have a right to privacy.

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

Yes, only if your rent payment is late by 7 or more days and the late fee is mentioned in your lease. You must get notice of the late cost within 180 days of the date on which your rent payment was due. Late charges charged by proprietors and residential or commercial property managers are limited to the greater of $50 or 5% of the past due rent payment.

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Can I be forced out from the residential or commercial property?

An expulsion is a legal process that a proprietor should go through to remove you from the residential or commercial property. This process is generally utilized when an occupant breaks one or more lease terms, for instance, stopping working to pay rent, not leaving the residential or commercial property after the lease term ends, enabling individuals who aren't on the lease to remain in the residential or commercial property, or performing illegal activity on the residential or commercial property. For info on your rights if you are being evicted, see the resources below.