Tenants

Tenant is a person to whom a landlord grants temporary and exclusive use of land or a part of a building, usually in exchange for rent. The contract for this type of legal arrangement is called a lease. The word "tenant" originated under the feudal system, referring to land "owners" who held their land on tenure granted by a lord. 

The most important thing tenants can do to help make a move successful is to be prepared ahead of time. Once you have selected a few places to see, review all of the tools for tenants on this site to help make your move go smoothly. Taking the time now can help save you aggravation later. 

Here are some important points that can help a  tenant in choosing  the right landlord or place to live:

• The most important thing tenants can do to help make a move successful is to be prepared ahead of time. Bring rental application, current copy of your credit report, written references from landlords, employers, friends and colleagues with you when you  visit the landlords. 
• A lease is an agreement that outlines the responsibilities and obligations of the owner and the tenants of a house or an apartment. It is a legally binding agreement that courts will generally hold up in legal proceedings. So carefully review all the important conditions of the tenancy before you sign on the dotted line. The lease should state every agreement that you believe exists between you and your landlord. It should also not include anything that you will object to later. 
• Some landlords do not provide a written lease. The agreement to rent the property is verbal. Even though there is no written agreement, the lease can be enforceable in court as an oral contract. but it is difficult to remember the terms orally so it is always better for both parties to have an agreement in writing. It helps us to avoid disputes or misunderstandings with your landlord.  
• Protect your privacy rights. Next to disputes over rent or security deposits, one of the most common and emotion-filled misunderstandings arises over the tension between a landlord's right to enter a rental unit and a tenant's right to be left alone. 
• Know your rights to live in a rental unit and don't give them up. The vast majority of landlords are required to offer their tenants livable premises, including adequate weatherproofing; heat, water and electricity; and clean, sanitary and structurally safe premises.
• Keep communication open with your landlord. If there's a problem talk it over to see if the issue can be resolved short of a nasty legal battle. 
• Purchase renters' insurance to cover your valuables. Your landlord's insurance policy will not cover your losses. 
• Landlords typically will hold your security deposit until after you have moved out. Make arrangements with your new landlord to store your belongings if you don't have enough money to cover the new security Expect to pay up to 1 1/2 months rent for your security deposit. Make sure the security deposit refund procedures are spelled out in your lease or rental agreement. 
• Check whether your building and neighborhood are safe, and what you can expect your landlord to do about it if they aren't. 

Landlords and Tenants should follow these tips to avoid legal problems:

• Make sure the terms of your lease or rental agreement are clear. 
• Know your rights and responsibilities under federal, state and local law.
• Keep copies of any correspondence and make notes of conversations about any problems. 
• Keep communication open.
  

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