After investing in a rental property and having it occupied by tenants, a landlord hopes to sit back and enjoy the returns. Fortunately, property investment will keep giving returns for many years to come.
However, a landlord does not always invest in a rental property and peacefully enjoy the fruits of their labor. It can be the start of litigations involving this and that tenant. As a landlord, you may find yourself spending all your investment returns on court cases.
That’s why it’s essential that you understand the most important or basic landlord-tenant laws to protect yourself from avoidable and expensive lawsuits. You don’t want to be bankrupted by the tenants. Learn the landlord-tenant, especially around where your property is located. Tenants also love to learn the laws and then look for loopholes on your side. Be a step ahead of them at any time. Study the new rules before they use them against you.
Better still, hire a Fullerton property management that understands all the local and international landlord-tenant laws.
That said, here are 5 landlord-tenant laws every property management agency must know to:
- Eviction Rules
Every country or state may have something unique about its eviction rules and procedures, but generally, a landlord cannot just wake up one morning and ask the tenant to vacate, for whatever reason.
There has to be a notice of eviction. A court proceeding may follow if the tenant is adamant. You should also try dialogue or mediation from a third party. Evicting a tenant without prior notice can result in heavy compensation to the tenant.
- Discriminatory Rules
When screening new tenants or formulating rules for the existing tenants, ensure you comply with the anti-discrimination rules. No tenant should feel they are being targeted because of their race, sex, religion, color, physical (dis)abilities, country of origin, etc.
The Fair Housing Act has given guidelines, and many tenants know what discrimination entails. They also know how to file lawsuits and win big, so you better have a property management agency that reads these laws.
- Required Disclosure Laws
In most jurisdictions, it is the responsibility of the landlord to inform tenants of their rights and facts about the rental policies. This can be included in the lease or rental agreements, usually before the tenant moves in.
Tenants must understand what they are getting into, meaning there should be no essential point hidden from them, especially if it will cost them extra or inconvenience them upon learning of it later.
For example, the tenant should know about recent deaths at the property, potential health hazards, upcoming rent adjustments or renovation, etc.
- Repair Laws
It is the responsibility of the tenants to report any damages that need to be repaired and for the landlord to do the repairs in time so as to not inconvenience the tenant in any way. When a tenant feels the landlord or the property management agency is not reacting to their reports on necessary repairs, they may be within the law when they stop paying rent until the repairs are carried out.
- Tenant’s Privacy Rights
A landlord or property management company doesn’t have the right to enter a tenant’s house or leased unit without notice. The tenants have privacy rights once they possess the property.
If the property management agency or landlord must enter the property for whatever reason, it has to be at a reasonable time of day and for a worthy cause.
Wrapping It Up
As years go by, you should keep liaising with your property management agency to re-evaluate your rental policies and keep up with the new laws. You don’t want to be caught offside by your well-informed tenants or the authorities.
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