What is a tenant?
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A renter is somebody who pays lease to reside in a residential or commercial property (house, apartment, condo, townhouse) that belongs to somebody else.

What is a proprietor?

A landlord is the owner of the residential or commercial property that the occupant lives in.

What is a residential or commercial property manager?

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

What is a lease?

A lease is a written contract in between you (the occupant) and the proprietor, allowing you to live in the residential or commercial property in exchange for rent. For your defense, you should only participate in a written lease. The lease states what you are accountable for, and what the proprietor is responsible for. Both you and the landlord sign the lease and you both should do what the lease states. Leases are typically hard to comprehend, even for native English speakers, so it is best to have somebody you rely on help you comprehend your lease, or call an attorney to help you.

What is rent?

This is the quantity of cash you will pay the landlord monthly. Rent is paid beforehand, indicating that rent is due at the beginning of the month, typically on the very first of the month, for that month. Ensure you understand where and how to pay the rent - online? By check? Cash? If you pay your lease in money, always get an invoice as evidence of your payment.

What is the term of the lease?

This is the time period you and the property owner concur that you can reside in the residential or commercial property, and you will pay lease. The majority of the time the term is for one year, but it can be less or more if both you and the proprietor agree. When this term is over, you and the landlord 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 landlord is accountable for?

Mainly, the landlord is accountable for making sure the residential or commercial property is fit to reside in and fundamental things work. Most repairs are generally the proprietor's duty, specifically bigger things like the furnace, warm water heating system, air conditioner, stove, fridge, dishwasher, and so on. Make certain the lease has either the proprietor's or residential or commercial property manager's contact information-telephone number, email address, etc.-and how to contact the landlord or residential or commercial property manager in an emergency situation.

What are the main things the renter is accountable for?

You are needed to 1) pay rent and 2) keep the residential or commercial property in great condition. Any other duties will be listed in the lease. Sometimes the renter is accountable for minor repairs and the landlord is accountable for significant repair work. Ensure 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 visitors, cause.

What is a down payment?

This is money that you offer the property owner to keep in case you stop working to pay rent or if you harm the residential or commercial property. The down payment is your money. If you do everything that the lease states you are required to do (in many cases, remain for the complete term of the lease, pay your lease, and do not harm the residential or commercial property) then you ought to get your down payment back at the end of the lease. This should take place within 1 month after the lease has ended, or 60 days if that's what the lease states, but it can never ever be more than 60 days after the lease has actually ended. The landlord needs to provide you a written declaration that shows any deductions from the security deposit, and why it was subtracted. Along with this statement, the landlord needs to provide you any cash that is due to you. If you do not concur with the part of your security deposit that was kept by the property owner, you can go to small claims court and have a judge decide. You can get more details about little claims court from the county in which you live. Also, see the resources listed below for more help.

What am I anticipated to pay before moving in?

The majority 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 rent. Sometimes it can be more. Also, if you are moving in 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 lease is $1,500 each 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 a total 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 explained above.

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

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

Is the lease flexible?

Many items in the lease are negotiable and can be changed if you and the landlord both agree. The 2 most typical things that individuals attempt to negotiate are the term and the rent. Let's say the proprietor desires a renter for one year, however you only want 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 proprietor must agree.

How should I communicate with the property manager or residential or commercial property manager?

Try to communicate with your property manager in composing when possible (email, etc) Naturally, you can call, however attempt to follow that with an email to validate what was stated. If it is a concern, you ought to send a letter by certified mail. In an emergency situation, call the emergency number that should be in your lease. If that number is not in your lease, ask for it before you relocate.

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

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

Filing a Complaint

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

Your property manager or residential or commercial property supervisor might wish to check out the residential or commercial property from time to time to inspect on its condition, but the proprietor or residential or commercial property manager can not simply come by whenever they want (an exception is if there is an emergency). They must offer you reasonable notice or get your consent, and it needs to be at an affordable time. Check your lease agreement worrying this notice and the proprietor's right to get in the residential or commercial property. Once you rent the residential or commercial property from the landlord, 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 rent payment is late by 7 or more days and the late fee is stated in your lease. You must get notification of the late charge within 180 days of the date on which your lease payment was due. Late costs charged by property owners and residential or commercial property supervisors are limited to the higher of $50 or 5% of the past due lease payment.

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Can I be evicted from the residential or commercial property?

An expulsion is a legal process that a proprietor must go through to remove you from the residential or commercial property. This process is usually used when a renter violates several lease terms, for instance, failing to pay lease, not leaving the or commercial property after the lease term ends, allowing individuals 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 listed below.
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