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What is a tenant?

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

A proprietor is the owner of the residential or commercial property that the renter lives in.

What is a residential or commercial property manager?

Sometimes, the owner of the residential or commercial property works with somebody to oversee and handle their residential or commercial property for them.

What is a lease?

A lease is a written contract between you (the tenant) and the landlord, permitting you to reside in the residential or commercial property in exchange for lease. For your security, you should just participate in a composed lease. The lease says what you are responsible for, and what the proprietor is accountable for. Both you and the property manager sign the lease and you both need to do what the lease says. Leases are frequently hard to understand, even for native English speakers, so it is best to have somebody you rely on assist you comprehend your lease, or get in touch with an attorney to help you.

What is rent?

This is the amount of cash you will pay the proprietor each month. Rent is paid beforehand, indicating that rent is due at the beginning of the month, typically on the first of the month, for that month. Make certain you know where and how to pay the rent - online? By check? Cash? If you pay your rent in cash, constantly get a receipt as proof of your payment.

What is the term of the lease?

This is the time period you and the proprietor agree 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 property manager concur. When this term is over, you and the landlord 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 important things the property manager is accountable for?

Mainly, the property owner is accountable for ensuring the or commercial property is fit to live in and standard things work. Most repair work are typically the proprietor's duty, particularly bigger things like the heating system, hot water heater, a/c unit, stove, fridge, dishwashing machine, and so on. Ensure the lease has either the landlord's or residential or commercial property supervisor'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 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 small repairs and the property manager is accountable for significant repair work. Make certain you know what repair work you are accountable for before you sign the lease. The tenant is also accountable to pay for any damages that they, or any of their guests, cause.

What is a down payment?

This is money that you give the property manager to hold in case you fail to pay lease or if you damage the residential or commercial property. The down payment is your money. If you do whatever that the lease says you are needed to do (in many cases, stay for the full regard to 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 should occur 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 ended. The landlord should provide you a composed statement that shows any reductions from the down payment, and why it was deducted. Along with this statement, the proprietor should offer you any money that is due to you. If you do not agree with the part of your down payment that was kept by the proprietor, you can go to little claims court and have a judge choose. You can get more info about small 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 relocating?

The majority of the time you will be needed to pay the 1st month's lease plus a down payment, which is generally equivalent to one month's rent. Sometimes it can be more. Also, if you are relocating the middle of a month, you may be required to pay lease for the part of the month you will be living 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 first month's rent, $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 most likely have to pay $500 for the 10 days of the present 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 need to pay. Usually, most utilities-electricity, natural gas, water, web, cable television TV-are paid by you. Everything that you are accountable to pay for will be listed in the lease. Sometimes, some utilities are included in the rent, however many of the time they are not, and you are needed to pay them. Make sure you comprehend everything that you are needed to spend for before you sign the lease.

Is the lease negotiable?

Many items in the lease are flexible and can be altered if you and the landlord both agree. The 2 most typical things that individuals attempt to work out are the term and the lease. Let's state the landlord wants an occupant for one year, however you just desire to remain for 6 months. The term will be decided by what you both concur to. Same with the rent. Remember, both you and the property owner need to concur.

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

Try to communicate with your landlord in composing when possible (email, etc) Of course, you can call, however try to follow that with an e-mail to verify what was said. If it is an important matter, you need to send out a letter by qualified 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 problem on a residential or commercial property supervisor?

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

Filing a Problem

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

Your proprietor or residential or commercial property manager may want to check out the residential or commercial property from time to time to look at its condition, however the property owner or residential or commercial property manager can not simply come by whenever they desire (an exception is if there is an emergency). They must give you sensible notice or get your authorization, and it should be at a sensible time. Check your lease contract concerning this notice and the proprietor's right to go into the residential or commercial property. Once you rent the residential or commercial property from the proprietor, it is your home for the term of the lease, and you have a right to privacy.

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

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

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Can I be kicked 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 process is normally utilized when an occupant breaches several lease terms, for instance, failing 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 info on your rights if you are being kicked out, see the resources below.