What is an occupant?

A renter is somebody who pays rent to live in a residential or commercial property (house, apartment, condominium, townhouse) that comes from another person.

What is a property owner?

A property manager is the owner of the residential or commercial property that the tenant lives in.

What is a residential or commercial property supervisor?

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

What is a lease?

A lease is a written contract in between you (the occupant) and the landlord, permitting you to live in the residential or commercial property in exchange for lease. For your defense, you should just participate in a written lease. The lease states what you are accountable for, and what the property owner is responsible for. Both you and the property manager sign the lease and you both need to do what the lease says. Leases are often difficult to understand, even for native English speakers, so it is best to have somebody you rely on assist you comprehend your lease, or contact an attorney to assist you.

What is lease?

This is the amount of cash you will pay the property owner monthly. Rent is paid ahead of time, indicating that rent is due at the start of the month, normally on the first of the month, for that month. Make sure you know where and how to pay the lease - online? By check? Cash? If you pay your lease in cash, always get an invoice as proof of your payment.

What is the term of the lease?

This is the time duration you and the landlord agree that you can reside in the residential or commercial property, and you will pay lease. Most of the time the term is for one year, however it can be less or more if both you and the property owner concur. When this term is over, you and the proprietor 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 important 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 fundamental things work. Most repair work are generally the proprietor's obligation, particularly larger things like the heating system, hot water heating unit, ac system, range, refrigerator, dishwasher, and so on. Ensure the lease has either the landlord's or residential or commercial property supervisor's contact information-telephone number, e-mail address, etc.-and how to get in touch with the proprietor or residential or commercial property manager in an emergency.

What are the main points the occupant is accountable for?

You are needed to 1) pay lease and 2) keep the residential or commercial property in good condition. Any other responsibilities will be noted in the lease. Sometimes the occupant is responsible for minor repair work and the property manager is accountable for significant repair work. Make sure you know what repair work you are accountable for before you sign the lease. The renter is also responsible to spend for any damages that they, or any of their visitors, cause.

What is a down payment?

This is cash that you give the landlord to hold in case you fail to pay lease or if you harm the residential or commercial property. The security deposit is your cash. If you do whatever that the lease says you are required to do (most of the times, stay for the full term of the lease, pay your lease, and do not harm the residential or commercial property) then you ought to get your security deposit back at the end of the lease. This must occur 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 manager needs to offer you a written statement that reveals any reductions from the security deposit, and why it was deducted. Along with this declaration, the landlord needs to give you any cash that is because of you. If you do not agree with the part of your security deposit that was kept by the property manager, you can go to small claims court and have a judge decide. You can get more info about little 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 moving in?

The majority of the time you will be required to pay the 1st month's rent plus a down payment, which is usually equal 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 living in the residential or commercial property. For instance, let's say the lease is $1,500 per month and you are moving in on the 1st of the month. You will pay the 1st month's rent, $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 existing month (1/3 of a month), plus the $3,000 explained above.

What else do I need to pay monthly besides lease?

Rent may 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 pay for will be listed in the lease. Sometimes, some energies are consisted of in the lease, however most of the time they are not, and you are required to pay them. Make sure you understand everything that you are required to spend for before you sign the lease.

Is the lease flexible?

Many products in the lease are negotiable and can be changed if you and the property owner both agree. The 2 most common things that people try to negotiate are the term and the lease. Let's state the proprietor wants a tenant for one year, however you just wish to stay for six months. The term will be chosen by what you both agree to. Same with the lease. Remember, both you and the proprietor need to agree.

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

Try to interact with your property manager in composing when possible (e-mail, etc) Of course, you can call, however try to follow that with an email to confirm what was said. If it is an important matter, you should send a letter by licensed mail. In an emergency, call the emergency situation number that need to remain in your lease. If that number is not in your lease, ask for it before you move in.

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

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

Filing a Problem

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

Your property owner or residential or commercial property manager may wish to visit the residential or commercial property from time to time to look at its condition, however the landlord or residential or commercial property manager can not simply come over whenever they desire (an exception is if there is an emergency situation). They need to give you reasonable notice or get your authorization, and it must be at an affordable time. Check your lease arrangement concerning this notice and the property owner'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 personal privacy.

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

Yes, only if your rent payment is late by 7 or more days and the late charge is specified 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 landlords and residential or commercial property supervisors are restricted to the greater of $50 or 5% of the past due rent payment.

Back to the top

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

An eviction is a legal process that a proprietor need to go through to remove you from the residential or commercial property. This procedure is typically used when an occupant breaches several lease terms, for instance, stopping working to pay lease, 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 unlawful activity on the residential or commercial property. For details on your rights if you are being forced out, see the resources below.