What is an occupant?

A tenant is somebody who pays lease to live in a residential or commercial property (house, home, condo, townhouse) that comes from somebody else.

What is a property manager?

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

What is a residential or commercial property manager?

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

What is a lease?

A lease is a written arrangement between you (the occupant) and the landlord, enabling you to live in the residential or commercial property in exchange for lease. For your defense, you ought to only participate in a composed lease. The lease states what you are responsible for, and what the property owner is responsible for. Both you and the proprietor sign the lease and you both must do what the lease says. Leases are often difficult to comprehend, even for native English speakers, so it is best to have somebody you rely on help you understand your lease, or call a lawyer to help you.

What is rent?

This is the amount of cash you will pay the landlord each month. Rent is paid in advance, suggesting that lease is due at the start of the month, usually on the very 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 an invoice as proof of your payment.

What is the regard to the lease?

This is the time period you and the property manager concur that you can live in the residential or commercial property, and you will pay rent. Most of the time the term is for one year, but it can be less or more if both you and the proprietor agree. When this term is over, you and the property owner 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 owner is accountable for?

Mainly, the proprietor is responsible for ensuring the residential or commercial property is fit to reside in and fundamental things work. Most repair work are generally the property manager's responsibility, particularly larger things like the heater, hot water heating unit, air conditioning system, range, fridge, dishwasher, and so on. 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 proprietor or residential or commercial property supervisor in an emergency.

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 good condition. Any other obligations will be listed in the lease. Sometimes the tenant is responsible for minor repairs and the landlord is responsible for major repair work. Make certain you know what repairs you are accountable for before you sign the lease. The occupant is likewise responsible to pay for any damages that they, or any of their visitors, cause.

What is a security deposit?

This is cash that you give the property owner to hold in case you stop working to pay rent or if you damage 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 many cases, remain for the complete term of the lease, pay your lease, and do not damage the residential or commercial property) then you need to get your down payment back at the end of the lease. This must occur within one month after the lease has actually ended, or 60 days if that's what the lease states, but it can never ever be more than 60 days after the lease has ended. The property owner should supply you a composed declaration that shows any deductions from the security deposit, and why it was deducted. In addition to this declaration, the landlord should provide 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 landlord, you can go to little claims court and have a judge decide. You can get more info 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 relocating?

Most of the time you will be needed to pay the 1st month's lease plus a down payment, which is generally 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 required to pay lease 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 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 need to pay every month besides rent?

Rent might not be all that you need to pay. Usually, most utilities-electricity, gas, water, web, cable television TV-are paid by you. Everything that you are responsible to spend for will be listed in the lease. Sometimes, some utilities are included in the lease, but the majority of the time they are not, and you are required to pay them. Make sure you understand everything that you are needed to spend for before you sign the lease.

Is the lease flexible?

Many items in the lease are flexible and can be altered if you and the property owner both concur. The two most common things that individuals try to negotiate are the term and the rent. Let's state the proprietor wants an occupant for one year, however you only wish to stay for six months. The term will be chosen by what you both agree to. Same with the rent. Remember, both you and the property owner need to agree.

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

Try to communicate with your proprietor in composing when possible (e-mail, and so on) Naturally, you can call, but try to follow that with an email to confirm what was stated. If it is a concern, you must send out a letter by licensed mail. In an emergency situation, call the emergency number that should 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 ?

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

Filing a Problem

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

Your proprietor or residential or commercial property supervisor might wish to go to the residential or commercial property from time to time to inspect on its condition, however the property manager or residential or commercial property supervisor can not just come by whenever they desire (an exception is if there is an emergency). They need to offer you sensible notice or get your permission, and it should be at an affordable time. Check your lease arrangement worrying this notice and the property owner's right to enter the residential or commercial property. Once you lease the residential or commercial property from the proprietor, it is your home for the term of the lease, and you have a right to personal privacy.

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

Yes, only if your lease payment is late by 7 or more days and the late fee is mentioned in your lease. You need to receive notification of the late cost within 180 days of the date on which your lease payment was due. Late charges charged by landlords and residential or commercial property managers are limited to the higher 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 need to go through to eliminate you from the residential or commercial property. This process is normally utilized when an occupant breaches 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 carrying out unlawful activity on the residential or commercial property. For information on your rights if you are being kicked out, see the resources below.