6 Laws Every Landlord Should Know

As in any business venture, there are various laws that surround different investments. As a landlord, you do not just go about doing things as you like because you own the property. There are laws that protect both you and the tenants as well. Laws are put in place to check the landlord and ensure that the tenants uphold their lease obligations. Here are some basic laws every landlord should be familiar with.

#1. The Fair Housing Act

This Act is all about how landlords should treat tenants. It prevents landlords from discriminating prospective renters on their race, color, age, sex, nationality, religion, disability or family status. When a tenant sends in an application, as a landlord you should not reject it on the basis of any of the above criteria. If a landlord does this, he or she can be sued in court.

#2. The Implied Warranty Of Habitability

Before renting out a property, a landlord should ensure that the living space is fit for human occupancy. The house should have heat when the climate is cold, have clean running water, good plumbing system, free from debris, dirt or rodents. It should also have a strong building structure and so on. A tenant has the right to withhold the rent if such requirements are not met until the house is repaired and the right services are rendered. If it is still uninhabitable, the tenant can terminate the lease without paying the rent.

#3. Mutual Covenant Of Quiet Enjoyment

This law applies in all countries and is all about giving the tenant the right to enjoy undisturbed use of the property. The landlord has no right to come into the residence until they are needed or in cases of emergency. If inspections are to be done, a written note should be passed out to all tenants. In circumstances when tenants have complaints of disturbances, a thorough investigation should be done by the landlord before jumping into any conclusion.

#4. State Required Disclosure

There are certain matters that concern the state which every landlord should know of and are expected to report or disclose information in such instances. Environmental hazards, pest control, radon gas, recent flooding, landlord or property manager’s name and contact should be made known to the state.

#5. States’ Landlord Tenant Act

Landlords and tenants are expected to have a cordial relationship because they have to cooperate with each other to maintain good relations. This Act is there to ensure that landlords and tenants do no violate rules against the other. It also helps guide both parties on what to do if a right is violated and what steps should be taken in the case of a bad tenant. The landlords will know what measure they should take against such individuals without them being taken to court.

#6. Eviction Rules And Procedures

Even if a tenant has gone beyond boundaries, a landlord does not just go about evicting them like that because it is illegal. This gives the tenant the right to sue you in court. When it comes to eviction, a landlord should follow the state procedure or will lose the case if the rules are not taken into consideration.