What is an occupant?

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

What is a proprietor?

A landlord is the owner of the residential or commercial property that the occupant lives in.

What is a residential or commercial property manager?

Sometimes, the owner of the residential or commercial property hires somebody to manage 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, allowing you to reside in the residential or commercial property in exchange for rent. For your defense, you should only participate in a composed lease. The lease says what you are accountable for, and what the landlord is accountable for. Both you and the property owner sign the lease and you both should do what the lease states. Leases are often hard 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 quantity of money you will pay the property owner each month. Rent is paid in advance, meaning that lease is due at the beginning of the month, generally on the first of the month, for that month. Make sure you understand where and how to pay the lease - online? By check? Cash? If you pay your lease in cash, always get a receipt as proof of your payment.

What is the term of the lease?

This is the time period 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, but it can be less or more if both you and the proprietor 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 property manager is responsible for ensuring the residential or commercial property is fit to reside in and basic things work. Most repairs are normally the property owner's obligation, particularly bigger things like the furnace, hot water heating system, air conditioner, stove, refrigerator, dishwashing machine, etc. Ensure the lease has either the property manager's or residential or commercial property supervisor's number, email address, etc.-and how to get in touch with the property owner or residential or commercial property supervisor in an emergency.

What are the main points 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 responsibilities will be noted in the lease. Sometimes the occupant is responsible for minor repair work and the landlord is accountable for major repair work. Ensure you know what repairs you are accountable for before you sign the lease. The tenant is also responsible to spend for any damages that they, or any of their guests, cause.

What is a down payment?

This is money that you give the landlord to keep in case you stop working to pay lease or if you harm the residential or commercial property. The security deposit is your cash. If you do everything that the lease states you are needed to do (in most cases, stay for the full term of the lease, pay your rent, and do not harm the residential or commercial property) then you must 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 says, but it can never be more than 60 days after the lease has ended. The property owner should provide you a composed declaration that reveals any reductions from the security deposit, and why it was deducted. Along with this declaration, the property manager needs to give you any cash that is because of 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 information about small claims court from the county in which you live. Also, see the resources listed below for more help.

What am I expected to pay before relocating?

The majority of the time you will be required to pay the first month's rent plus a down payment, which is usually 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 example, let's say the rent is $1,500 each month 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 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 current month (1/3 of a month), plus the $3,000 explained above.

What else do I need to pay each month besides lease?

Rent may not be all that you need to pay. Usually, most utilities-electricity, natural gas, water, internet, cable TV-are paid by you. Everything that you are responsible to spend for will be noted in the lease. Sometimes, some energies are consisted of in the lease, but the majority of the time they are not, and you are needed to pay them. Ensure you comprehend whatever that you are required to spend for before you sign the lease.

Is the lease negotiable?

Many items in the lease are negotiable and can be altered if you and the proprietor both agree. The 2 most common things that individuals attempt to work out are the term and the lease. Let's say the property owner wants an occupant for one year, however you just wish to remain for six months. The term will be decided by what you both agree to. Same with the rent. Remember, both you and the property manager must agree.

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

Try to interact with your landlord in writing when possible (e-mail, etc) Of course, you can call, however attempt to follow that with an e-mail to confirm what was stated. If it is a concern, you ought to send a letter by qualified mail. In an emergency situation, call the emergency situation number that must be in your lease. If that number is not in your lease, ask for it before you move in.

How do I submit a complaint on a residential or commercial property manager?

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

Filing a Complaint

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

Your proprietor or residential or commercial property supervisor might wish to visit the residential or commercial property from time to time to look at its condition, however the proprietor or residential or commercial property supervisor can not simply come over whenever they desire (an exception is if there is an emergency). They should give you reasonable notice or get your approval, and it must be at a reasonable time. Check your lease agreement concerning this notification and the property owner's right to get in the residential or commercial property. Once you rent the residential or commercial property from the landlord, it is your home for the regard to the lease, and you have a right to personal privacy.

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

Yes, just if your lease payment is late by 7 or more days and the late cost is mentioned in your lease. You need to receive notice of the late charge within 180 days of the date on which your rent payment was due. Late fees 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 kicked out from the residential or commercial property?

An expulsion is a legal procedure that a property owner need to go through to eliminate you from the residential or commercial property. This procedure is typically utilized when an occupant violates one or more lease terms, for instance, stopping working to pay lease, 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 prohibited activity on the residential or commercial property. For details on your rights if you are being forced out, see the resources listed below.