What is a tenant?

An occupant is someone who pays lease to live in a residential or commercial property (home, apartment, condominium, townhouse) that belongs to somebody else.

What is a proprietor?

A property manager is the owner of the residential or commercial property that the occupant resides in.

What is a residential or commercial property manager?

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

What is a lease?

A lease is a written contract between you (the occupant) and the property manager, enabling you to reside in the residential or commercial property in exchange for lease. For your protection, you must just participate in a composed lease. The lease states what you are accountable for, and what the landlord is responsible for. Both you and the property manager sign the lease and you both should do what the lease says. Leases are typically challenging to understand, even for native English speakers, so it is best to have somebody you trust assist you understand your lease, or call an attorney to assist you.

What is rent?

This is the amount of cash you will pay the landlord each month. Rent is paid ahead of time, meaning that lease is due at the beginning of the month, generally on the very first of the month, for that month. Make certain you know where and how to pay the lease - online? By check? Cash? If you pay your rent in money, always get a receipt as evidence of your payment.

What is the regard to the lease?

This is the time period you and the proprietor concur 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 proprietor concur. 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 proprietor is accountable for?

Mainly, the property manager is accountable for making sure the residential or commercial property is fit to live in and basic things work. Most repair work are usually the property owner's duty, particularly larger things like the heater, warm water heating unit, air conditioning unit, range, fridge, dishwasher, etc. Make sure the lease has either the landlord's or residential or commercial property supervisor's contact information-telephone number, e-mail address, etc.-and how to call the landlord or residential or commercial property supervisor in an emergency situation.

What are the main things the renter is accountable for?

You are required to 1) pay lease and 2) keep the residential or commercial property in excellent condition. Any other duties will be listed in the lease. Sometimes the renter is accountable for small repairs and the landlord is responsible for major repairs. Make sure you know what repair work you are accountable for before you sign the lease. The renter is likewise responsible 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 owner to keep in case you fail to pay rent or if you harm the residential or commercial property. The down payment is your cash. If you do whatever that the lease says you are required to do (most of the times, remain for the complete term of the lease, pay your lease, and do not damage the residential or commercial property) then you must get your down payment back at the end of the lease. This need to occur within one month after the lease has 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 must supply you a written statement that shows any reductions from the down payment, and why it was deducted. Together with this declaration, the proprietor needs to give you any cash that is due to you. If you do not agree with the part of your down payment that was kept by the property manager, you can go to little claims court and have a judge choose. You can get more information about little claims court from the county in which you live. Also, see the resources noted 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 down payment, which is usually equal to one month's lease. Sometimes it can be more. Also, if you are moving in the middle of a month, you may be needed to pay rent for the part of the month you will be residing in the residential or commercial property. For example, let's state the rent is $1,500 monthly 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 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 every month besides rent?

Rent may 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 pay for will be listed in the lease. Sometimes, some energies are included in the rent, but many of the time they are not, and you are required to pay them. Make certain you understand whatever that you are needed to pay for before you sign the lease.

Is the lease negotiable?

Many products in the lease are negotiable and can be changed if you and the proprietor both concur. The 2 most common things that people try to work out are the term and the lease. Let's state the landlord desires a tenant for one year, however you only wish to remain for six months. The term will be decided by what you both consent to. Same with the lease. Remember, both you and the landlord need to agree.

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

Try to interact with your property owner in writing when possible (e-mail, etc) Of course, you can call, however try to follow that with an email to confirm what was said. If it is a concern, you should send out a letter by licensed mail. In an emergency, call the emergency situation number that should 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 supervisor?

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

Filing a Grievance

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

Your landlord 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 proprietor or residential or commercial property supervisor can not simply come over whenever they want (an exception is if there is an emergency). They must offer you reasonable notification or get your authorization, and it must be at a sensible time. Check your lease arrangement concerning this notice and the property owner'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 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 charge is stated in your lease. You need to receive notification of the late charge within 180 days of the date on which your lease payment was due. Late fees charged by property owners and residential or commercial property supervisors are limited to the higher 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 eviction is a legal process that a proprietor must go through to remove you from the residential or commercial property. This process is usually 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, enabling 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 info on your rights if you are being kicked out, see the resources below.