What is a tenant?
reference.com
A renter is someone who pays lease to reside in a residential or (home, apartment, condominium, townhouse) that belongs to another person.

What is a landlord?

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 someone to supervise and handle their residential or commercial property for them.

What is a lease?

A lease is a written arrangement between you (the tenant) and the landlord, permitting you to live in the residential or commercial property in exchange for lease. For your security, you must only participate in a composed lease. The lease says what you are accountable for, and what the property manager is accountable for. Both you and the property owner sign the lease and you both should do what the lease states. Leases are typically challenging to understand, even for native English speakers, so it is best to have someone you rely on assist you understand your lease, or call a lawyer to help you.

What is rent?

This is the amount of cash you will pay the property owner each month. Rent is paid beforehand, indicating that lease is due at the beginning of the month, usually on the first of the month, for that month. Make sure you understand where and how to pay the rent - online? By check? Cash? If you pay your lease in money, always get a receipt as evidence of your payment.

What is the regard to the lease?

This is the time duration you and the proprietor 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 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 property manager is accountable for?

Mainly, the landlord is accountable for making certain the residential or commercial property is fit to live in and fundamental things work. Most repair work are usually the property owner's obligation, especially larger things like the heating system, hot water heating system, ac system, range, fridge, dishwasher, and so on. Make sure the lease has either the property manager's or residential or commercial property manager's contact information-telephone number, email address, etc.-and how to get in touch with the landlord or residential or commercial property supervisor in an emergency.

What are the main things the occupant 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 tenant is accountable for minor repair work and the property manager is accountable for significant repair work. Ensure you know what repairs 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 security deposit?

This is money that you give the property manager to keep in case you stop working to pay rent or if you harm the residential or commercial property. The security deposit is your money. If you do whatever that the lease says you are needed to do (in many cases, remain for the full regard to the lease, pay your lease, and do not damage the residential or commercial property) then you ought to get your down payment back at the end of the lease. This need to take place within 1 month after the lease has actually ended, or 60 days if that's what the lease states, however it can never ever be more than 60 days after the lease has actually ended. The property owner must offer you a written statement that reveals any reductions from the down payment, and why it was deducted. In addition to this statement, the property owner needs to 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 landlord, you can go to little claims court and have a judge choose. You can get more info about little claims court from the county in which you live. Also, see the resources listed below for more assistance.

What am I anticipated to pay before moving in?

The majority of the time you will be needed to pay the 1st month's rent plus a security deposit, 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 rent for the part of the month you will be living in the residential or commercial property. For instance, 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 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 present month (1/3 of a month), plus the $3,000 described above.

What else do I have to pay every 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 utilities are included in the lease, but many of the time they are not, and you are needed to pay them. Ensure you understand whatever that you are needed to pay for before you sign the lease.

Is the lease flexible?

Many items in the lease are negotiable and can be altered if you and the property owner both concur. The two most typical things that people try to work out are the term and the rent. Let's say the proprietor wants a tenant for one year, but 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 proprietor should concur.

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

Try to interact with your property manager in composing when possible (e-mail, etc) Of course, you can call, however attempt to follow that with an e-mail to verify what was said. If it is an essential matter, you should send a letter by certified mail. In an emergency, 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 file a grievance on a residential or commercial property manager?

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

Filing a Problem

Can the property owner 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 might wish to go to the residential or commercial property from time to time to examine its condition, but the property manager or residential or commercial property manager can not simply come by whenever they desire (an exception is if there is an emergency situation). They need to offer you affordable notification or get your permission, and it must be at a sensible time. Check your lease contract concerning this notice and the property manager's right to go into the residential or commercial property. Once you lease 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 personal privacy.

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

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

Back to the top
reference.com
Can I be evicted 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 process is typically used when an occupant violates several lease terms, for instance, failing 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 info on your rights if you are being kicked out, see the resources listed below.