Landlord-Tenant Ordinances Seattle has rules; Chicago has rules; New York City has rules; many cities in many states have rules for landlords and tenants. Municipalities may enact key ordinances that regulate rental housing in their cities/areas. The above mentioned cities are but a few of major metropolitan areas that have landlord-tenant codes and ordinances. However, […]

Answer: Some tenants may offer to find a replacement tenant to rent the unit in an effort to facilitate negotiations or help reduce the time the unit will be vacant and therefore reduce the current tenant’s debt. While this may be of benefit to some landlords in some markets, it is the landlord’s decision to […]

Answer: A landlord has the right to set rules on guest visits to the rental property. A landlord also has an obligation to protect the safety and privacy of his tenants. A guest policy helps to protect the rights of the other tenants and prevent unwelcome or unwanted stays by guests. Tenants also have the […]

Answer: Since your lease agreement specifically prohibits pets and the tenant signed that lease agreement, signifying his understanding and agreement with lease terms and conditions, the tenant by keeping a pet is in violation of his lease agreement. You should immediately serve the tenant with the appropriate written notice as per your state landlord-tenant statute […]

Answer: There could potential problems regarding the conversion of funds designated as a security deposit into payment of last month’s rent. Whether you can use the tenant’s security deposit as the last month’s rent depends upon your state statute requirements for security deposit collection, handling, and return. Whether you should allow use of the deposit […]

Answer: Most states have landlord-tenant statutes that regulate many of the issues of rents including raising rents, when rent is due, where rent is due, late fees, and grace periods. Rent is the legal obligation of the tenant in exchange for the use of the landlord’s rental property. Timely payment of rent is part of […]

Answer: You are right to be concerned about issues with holding deposits. Misunderstandings and legal hassles are most often the reasons that cause problems for landlords and many landlords refuse to consider holding deposits. However with careful consideration of issues and adequate documentation, a holding deposit can sometimes be useful in filling vacancies. If the […]

Answer: For the landlord’s protection, holding deposits should always be in cash, cashier’s check, or money order and for the protection of both parties there should always be a written agreement detailing the conditions related to the deposit even if not required by law. When the landlord holds the rental unit for an applicant, it […]

Answer: Your question needs clarification regarding specific details not provided in your posting. A holding deposit is associated with a potential tenant, the applicant, who has requested the landlord take the rental unit off the market until the applicant qualifies or otherwise fulfills the landlord terms and conditions for tenancy. A tenant is the applicant […]

What is rent control? Answer Only a few jurisdictions in only a very few states have local rent control ordinances that restrict  the amount of rent that a landlord may charge and limit the reasons that a landlord may bring  eviction. There are many variables in each jurisdiction’s rent control laws and landlords will need […]