What is a tenant?

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

What is a property manager?

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 works with someone to supervise and handle 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 owner, permitting you to live in the residential or commercial property in exchange for lease. For your defense, you ought to just participate in a written lease. The lease states what you are accountable for, and what the property manager is accountable for. Both you and the landlord sign the lease and you both need to do what the lease says. Leases are frequently difficult to comprehend, even for native English speakers, so it is best to have someone you trust help you comprehend your lease, or get in touch with a lawyer to help you.

What is lease?

This is the quantity of money you will pay the landlord every month. Rent is paid beforehand, suggesting that rent is due at the start of the month, usually 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 evidence 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 rent. The majority of the time the term is for one year, but it can be less or more if both you and the property manager agree. When this term is over, you and the property manager 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 proprietor is accountable for?

Mainly, the proprietor is accountable for ensuring the residential or commercial property is fit to reside in and fundamental things work. Most repairs are normally the property owner's duty, specifically bigger things like the heater, hot water heating system, ac system, range, refrigerator, dishwashing machine, etc. 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 owner or residential or commercial property supervisor in an emergency situation.

What are the main points the occupant 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 noted in the lease. Sometimes the renter is accountable for minor repair work and the proprietor is accountable for major repairs. Make certain you understand what repair work you are responsible for before you sign the lease. The renter is also responsible to pay for any damages that they, or any of their visitors, cause.

What is a security deposit?

This is money that you give the landlord to hold in case you fail to pay rent or if you damage the residential or commercial property. The down payment is your money. If you do everything that the lease says you are needed to do (most of the times, stay for the complete term of the lease, pay your rent, and don't damage the residential or commercial property) then you need to get your security deposit back at the end of the lease. This should occur within 1 month after the lease has actually ended, or 60 days if that's what the lease states, but it can never be more than 60 days after the lease has ended. The property manager should supply you a written declaration that shows any reductions from the down payment, and why it was deducted. Along with this declaration, the property owner should provide you any money that is due to you. If you do not concur with the part of your down payment that was kept by the landlord, you can go to small claims court and have a judge decide. You can get more details 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 needed to pay the first month's rent plus a down payment, which is normally 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 lease for the part of the month you will be residing in the residential or commercial property. For instance, let's say the lease is $1,500 monthly and you are moving in on the 1st of the month. You will pay the first month's lease, $1,500, plus the down payment, $1,500, for a total of $3,000. But if you move in on the 20th of the month, you will probably have 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 monthly besides lease?

Rent may not be all that you need to pay. Usually, most utilities-electricity, 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 energies are consisted of in the rent, but many of the time they are not, and you are required to pay them. Make certain you comprehend whatever that you are required to pay for before you sign the lease.

Is the lease flexible?

Many items in the lease are flexible and can be changed if you and the proprietor both agree. The two most typical things that individuals attempt to negotiate are the term and the rent. Let's say the landlord wants a renter for one year, however you only wish to stay for six months. The term will be decided by what you both accept. Same with the rent. Remember, both you and the landlord need to concur.

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

Try to interact with your property manager in writing when possible (email, etc) Obviously, you can call, however attempt to follow that with an email to verify what was stated. If it is a concern, you must send out a letter by licensed mail. In an emergency, call the emergency situation number that ought to remain 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 submit a grievance against a residential or commercial property supervisor with the Division of Real Estate.

Filing a Problem

Can the landlord or residential or commercial property manager check out the residential or commercial property while you are living there?

Your property owner or residential or commercial property manager may wish to check out the residential or commercial property from time to time to look at its condition, but the property manager or residential or commercial property supervisor can not simply come by whenever they want (an exception is if there is an emergency situation). They should offer you affordable notice or get your authorization, and it needs to be at an affordable time. Check your lease agreement concerning this notification and the landlord's right to enter the residential or commercial property. Once you rent the residential or commercial property from the proprietor, it is your home for the regard to the lease, and you have a right to personal privacy.

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

Yes, just if your rent payment is late by 7 or more days and the late cost is mentioned in your lease. You need to get notice of the late fee within 180 days of the date on which your rent payment was due. Late charges charged by landlords and residential or commercial property managers are restricted to the greater 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 eviction is a legal process that a property manager need to go through to eliminate you from the residential or commercial property. This procedure is normally used when a renter breaks several lease terms, for instance, stopping working to pay rent, not leaving the residential 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 illegal activity on the residential or commercial property. For information on your rights if you are being evicted, see the resources below.