What is an occupant?

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

What is a landlord?

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

What is a residential or commercial property manager?

Sometimes, the owner of the residential or commercial property employs 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 renter) and the property owner, enabling 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 says what you are accountable for, and what the property manager is responsible for. Both you and the landlord sign the lease and you both should do what the lease says. Leases are typically challenging to comprehend, even for native English speakers, so it is best to have somebody you rely on assist you understand your lease, or contact an attorney to help you.

What is lease?

This is the amount of cash you will pay the landlord every month. Rent is paid in advance, implying that rent is due at the beginning 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 rent in money, constantly get an invoice as evidence of your payment.

What is the term of the lease?

This is the time duration you and the property manager 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, but it can be less or more if both you and the landlord 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 important things the property manager is accountable for?

Mainly, the property owner is responsible for ensuring the residential or commercial property is fit to live in and fundamental things work. Most repair work are normally the property owner's responsibility, particularly bigger things like the furnace, warm water heater, air conditioner, stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, etc. Ensure the lease has either the landlord's or residential or commercial property manager's contact information-telephone number, e-mail address, etc.-and how to call the proprietor or residential or commercial property supervisor in an emergency situation.

What are the main points the renter is responsible for?

You are needed to 1) pay rent and 2) keep the residential or commercial property in excellent condition. Any other responsibilities will be noted in the lease. Sometimes the renter is responsible for minor repairs and the landlord is responsible for significant repair work. Ensure you understand what repairs you are accountable for before you sign the lease. The renter is also 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 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 whatever that the lease states you are required to do (most of the times, remain for the complete term of the lease, pay your rent, and do not harm the residential or commercial property) then you need to get your security deposit 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, but it can never be more than 60 days after the lease has actually ended. The property owner should offer you a composed declaration that shows any reductions from the security deposit, and why it was subtracted. In addition to this declaration, the property manager must 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 proprietor, you can go to little claims court and have a judge decide. You can get more info about small 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 needed to pay the first month's rent plus a security deposit, which is generally equivalent to one month's lease. Sometimes it can be more. Also, if you are relocating the middle of a month, you may be required 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 lease is $1,500 monthly and you are moving in on the 1st of the month. You will pay the first month's rent, $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 most likely have 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 rent?

Rent might not be all that you have to pay. Usually, most utilities-electricity, gas, water, internet, 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 consisted of in the lease, however the majority of the time they are not, and you are required to pay them. Make sure you comprehend whatever that you are required to pay for before you sign the lease.

Is the lease negotiable?

Many items in the lease are flexible and can be changed if you and the landlord both concur. The two most common things that individuals try to work out are the term and the rent. Let's say the proprietor desires a renter for one year, but you just want to stay for six months. The term will be decided by what you both consent to. Same with the lease. Remember, both you and the property manager need to concur.

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

Try to interact with your property owner in composing when possible (email, and so on) Naturally, you can call, however try to follow that with an e-mail to verify what was stated. If it is a concern, you must send a letter by licensed mail. In an emergency situation, call the emergency 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 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 manager visit the residential or commercial property while you are living there?

Your property manager or residential or commercial property manager might wish to visit the residential or commercial property from time to time to check on its condition, but the landlord or residential or commercial property supervisor can not just come over whenever they want (an exception is if there is an emergency situation). They need to provide you sensible notice or get your permission, and it should be at a sensible time. Check your lease contract worrying this notification and the property manager's right to get in the residential or commercial property. Once you rent 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 fee if my lease payment is late?

Yes, only if your rent payment is late by 7 or more days and the late fee is mentioned in your lease. You should get notification of the late fee within 180 days of the date on which your lease payment was due. Late costs charged by property managers and residential or commercial property managers are limited 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 landlord need to go through to eliminate you from the residential or commercial property. This process is typically utilized when an occupant violates several lease terms, for example, failing to pay lease, not leaving the residential or commercial property after the lease term ends, permitting individuals who aren't on the lease to stay 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 forced out, see the resources below.