Renting an apartment can be an exciting time, especially if you’re a young adult moving out on your own for the first time. However, there are ways that landlords can take advantage of tenants, and it’s important to know your rights. This video explains a few different things you can do to avoid any problems and prevent the need to hire a tenant eviction attorney.
The first thing to do is to get your lease agreement in writing. The specifics of the lease need to be detailed in a legally binding contract that you sign, along with the landlord and any other tenants you will be sharing the apartment with.
It outlines the amount due in rent, how often rent is due, penalties for late payments, as well as the landlord’s legal obligations to the property and tenants.
Another tip is to make repair requests in writing and make sure you keep a copy for yourself. While landlords are obliged to fulfill repair requests in a timely manner, getting them to uphold their end of the bargain can be difficult. Without a request in writing, you will have little hope of successful legal action if the landlord does not make the repairs.
For more helpful tips, check out the video above.
