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What is a renter?

An occupant is someone who pays lease to reside in a residential or commercial property (house, home, condominium, townhouse) that comes from someone else.

What is a proprietor?

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

What is a residential or commercial property manager?

Sometimes, the owner of the residential or commercial property hires somebody 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 occupant) and the proprietor, allowing you to reside in the residential or commercial property in exchange for lease. For your protection, you should just participate in a composed lease. The lease states what you are accountable for, and what the property manager is accountable for. Both you and the proprietor sign the lease and you both should do what the lease states. Leases are often tough to comprehend, even for native English speakers, so it is best to have somebody you trust help you comprehend your lease, or call an attorney to help you.

What is rent?

This is the amount of cash you will pay the property owner every month. Rent is paid beforehand, meaning that rent is due at the start of the month, typically on the very first of the month, for that month. Make sure you understand where and how to pay the lease - online? By check? Cash? If you pay your lease 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 landlord concur 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 property manager 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 things the landlord is accountable for?

Mainly, the property owner is accountable for making sure the residential or commercial property is fit to reside in and basic things work. Most repairs are normally the proprietor's responsibility, especially larger things like the furnace, warm water heater, a/c unit, range, fridge, dishwasher, etc. Ensure the lease has either the property owner's or residential or commercial property supervisor's contact information-telephone number, e-mail address, etc.-and how to call the property manager or residential or commercial property manager in an emergency.

What are the main points the renter is accountable for?

You are needed to 1) pay lease and 2) keep the residential or commercial property in good condition. Any other duties will be listed in the lease. Sometimes the tenant is accountable for small repair work and the property owner is accountable for major repair work. Make sure you understand what repairs you are accountable for before you sign the lease. The renter is also accountable to pay for any damages that they, or any of their guests, cause.

What is a security deposit?

This is money that you offer the property manager to hold in case you stop working to pay lease or if you harm the residential or commercial property. The down payment is your money. If you do everything that the lease says you are required to do (for the most part, remain for the full term of the lease, pay your lease, and don't damage the residential or commercial property) then you ought to get your security deposit back at the end of the lease. This must occur within thirty days after the lease has ended, or 60 days if that's what the lease says, however it can never be more than 60 days after the lease has actually ended. The property owner needs to provide you a composed declaration that shows any deductions from the security deposit, and why it was subtracted. Together with this declaration, the landlord must give you any money that is because of you. If you do not concur with the part of your down payment 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 noted below for more assistance.

What am I expected to pay before relocating?

Most of the time you will be required to pay the 1st month's lease plus a security deposit, which is generally equal 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 rent for the part of the month you will be residing in the residential or commercial property. For example, let's say the rent is $1,500 per month and you are moving in on the 1st of the month. You will pay the 1st 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 probably need to pay $500 for the 10 days of the existing month (1/3 of a month), plus the $3,000 described above.

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

Rent may 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 listed in the lease. Sometimes, some energies are consisted of in the lease, but the majority of the time they are not, and you are required to pay them. Make sure you comprehend whatever that you are needed 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 landlord both concur. The two most typical things that people attempt to work out are the term and the lease. Let's say the proprietor desires an occupant for one year, however you just want to stay for 6 months. The term will be decided by what you both consent to. Same with the lease. Remember, both you and the property owner need to agree.

How should I communicate with the landlord or residential or commercial property supervisor?

Try to communicate with your property owner in writing when possible (e-mail, and so on) Of course, you can call, however attempt to follow that with an e-mail to validate what was stated. If it is an essential matter, you must send out a letter by certified mail. In an emergency, call the emergency number that need to be in your lease. If that number is not in your lease, ask for it before you relocate.

How do I file a grievance on a residential or commercial property manager?

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

Filing a Problem

Can the proprietor or residential or commercial property supervisor go to the residential or commercial property while you are living there?

Your landlord or residential or commercial property supervisor might want to check out the residential or commercial property from time to time to look at its condition, however the proprietor or residential or commercial property manager can not just come over whenever they desire (an exception is if there is an emergency situation). They should provide you sensible notification or get your consent, and it should be at a sensible time. Check your lease contract this notice and the proprietor's right to enter the residential or commercial property. Once you lease the residential or commercial property from the property owner, it is your home for the regard to 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 lease payment is late by 7 or more days and the late cost is stated in your lease. You should get notification of the late cost within 180 days of the date on which your rent payment was due. Late charges charged by property owners and residential or commercial property managers are limited to the greater of $50 or 5% of the past due lease payment.

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

An expulsion is a legal process that a property manager should go through to eliminate you from the residential or commercial property. This process is generally used when a renter breaches several lease terms, for instance, stopping working to pay rent, not leaving the residential or commercial property after the lease term ends, enabling people who aren't on the lease to remain in the residential or commercial property, or conducting unlawful activity on the residential or commercial property. For information on your rights if you are being forced out, see the resources below.