Tenants Rights and Responsibilities
What are your rights as a tenant?
- Fair housing
- A Clean, Safe place to live
- A building that is structurally sound
- Adequate heat
- Hot and cold running water
- Properly draining bathroom equipment
- A functioning stove
- Properly locking doors
- Properly locking windows that work
- No rodent/insect infestation
- Smoke detectors/fire extinguishers/fire escapes
- Prompt repairs by property owner/manager
- Privacy from intrusion or harassment from the landlord
- To make complaints to governmental authorities regarding violation of rights without retaliation
- Move out when necessity arises due to legitimate reasons
- The tenant continues to be responsible for rent until a new tenant is found
- Have the landlord make a diligent effort to mitigate damages
- Have property seizures, lock-outs, or evictions only in accordance with established legal procedures
- Have a lease that guarantees these rights in writing
What are your responsibilities as a tenant?
- Use the dwelling for residential purposes only
- Not for business or commercial
- Not for illegal activity
- Only the people written on the lease may live in the property
- Pay all rent and bills for which you are responsible
- Keep the dwelling safe and clean, notify landlord of any damage to property
- You must pay for damages caused by your actions or the actions of a guest
- Dispose of all trash and other waste in a clean and safe manner
- Use electrical, plumbing and heating facilities in a safe and careful manner
- Do not destroy, deface, damage, alter or remove any part of the premises
- Do not change locks to the premises without written permission from property owner, who must have access to the premises at all times, in case of an emergency
- Conduct yourself in a way that does not disturb others, and ensure that your guests do not disturb others
- Report all problems with the apartment to the property owner/manager
- Leave the apartment clean and in a condition similar to the one at the beginning of the lease
- Provide proper written notice of intention to terminate or renew lease
