What is a tenant?

An occupant is somebody who pays rent to live in a residential or commercial property (house, house, condo, townhouse) that belongs to somebody else.

What is a property manager?
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A property manager is the owner of the residential or commercial property that the tenant resides in.

What is a residential or commercial property manager?

Sometimes, the owner of the residential or commercial property hires someone to supervise and manage their residential or commercial property for them.

What is a lease?

A lease is a written contract in between you (the tenant) and the proprietor, allowing you to live in the residential or commercial property in exchange for rent. For your defense, you should just get in into a written lease. The lease states what you are responsible for, and what the landlord is accountable for. Both you and the proprietor sign the lease and you both need to do what the lease says. Leases are frequently challenging to understand, even for native English speakers, so it is best to have somebody you trust assist you understand your lease, or call a lawyer to assist you.

What is lease?
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This is the amount of cash you will pay the proprietor every month. Rent is paid in advance, meaning that lease is due at the start of the month, typically on the first of the month, for that month. Make certain you understand where and how to pay the rent - online? By check? Cash? If you pay your rent in money, always get an invoice as evidence of your payment.

What is the term of the lease?

This is the time duration you and the property owner agree that you can live 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 property owner agree. 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 proprietor is accountable for?

Mainly, the proprietor is accountable for making certain the residential or commercial property is fit to live in and standard things work. Most repair work are normally the property manager's responsibility, especially larger things like the heater, hot water heating unit, air conditioner, stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, etc. Make sure the lease has either the proprietor's or residential or commercial property supervisor's contact information-telephone number, e-mail address, etc.-and how to get in touch with the landlord or residential or commercial property manager in an emergency situation.

What are the main points 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 proprietor is responsible for major repairs. Make sure you know what repair work you are responsible for before you sign the lease. The renter is also accountable to pay for any damages that they, or any of their visitors, cause.

What is a down payment?

This is money that you give the landlord to keep in case you fail to pay lease or if you harm the residential or commercial property. The down payment is your cash. If you do everything that the lease states you are required to do (in a lot of cases, stay for the complete term of the lease, pay your rent, and don't harm the residential or commercial property) then you need to get your down payment back at the end of the lease. This should happen within one month after the lease has ended, or 60 days if that's what the lease states, however it can never be more than 60 days after the lease has ended. The property manager needs to offer you a written statement that shows any deductions from the down payment, and why it was deducted. In addition to this declaration, the landlord should offer you any cash that is because of you. If you do not concur with the part of your security deposit that was kept by the property manager, you can go to little claims court and have a judge decide. You can get more details about small claims court from the county in which you live. Also, see the resources noted below for more assistance.

What am I expected to pay before moving in?

Most of the time you will be needed to pay the 1st month's rent plus a down payment, which is normally equal to one month's lease. Sometimes it can be more. Also, if you are moving in the middle of a month, you might be needed to pay rent for the part of the month you will be residing 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 first 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 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 may not be all that you have 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 listed in the lease. Sometimes, some energies are included in the lease, however many of the time they are not, and you are needed to pay them. Make certain you comprehend everything that you are required to spend for before you sign the lease.

Is the lease flexible?

Many products in the lease are flexible and can be changed if you and the proprietor both agree. The two most typical things that individuals try to negotiate are the term and the rent. Let's state the proprietor wants an occupant for one year, but you only wish to stay for 6 months. The term will be decided by what you both accept. Same with the rent. Remember, both you and the property manager should concur.

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

Try to communicate with your landlord in composing when possible (email, etc) Obviously, you can call, however attempt to follow that with an email to verify what was stated. If it is a crucial matter, you must send a letter by licensed mail. In an emergency situation, call the 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 submit a grievance on a residential or commercial property supervisor?

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

Filing a Problem

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

Your proprietor or residential or commercial property supervisor may wish to check out 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 just come by whenever they want (an exception is if there is an emergency situation). They need to give you reasonable notification or get your consent, and it must be at a sensible time. Check your lease contract worrying this notice and the landlord's right to get in the residential or commercial property. Once you rent the residential or commercial property from the property manager, it is your home for the regard to 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 lease payment is late by 7 or more days and the late charge is mentioned in your lease. You must receive notice of the late cost within 180 days of the date on which your lease payment was due. Late charges charged by property owners and residential or commercial property supervisors are restricted to the greater of $50 or 5% of the past due rent payment.

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Can I be evicted from the residential or commercial property?

An expulsion is a legal process that a property owner should go through to eliminate you from the residential or commercial property. This procedure is typically utilized when a renter breaches several lease terms, for example, stopping working 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 performing prohibited activity on the residential or commercial property. For information on your rights if you are being kicked out, see the resources below.