What is an occupant?

An occupant is somebody who pays lease to live in a residential or commercial property (home, apartment, condo, townhouse) that belongs to somebody else.

What is a proprietor?

A proprietor is the owner of the residential or commercial property that the renter lives in.

What is a residential or commercial property supervisor?

Sometimes, the owner of the residential or commercial property employs someone to manage and handle their residential or commercial property for them.

What is a lease?

A lease is a written agreement in between you (the occupant) and the property owner, enabling you to reside in the residential or commercial property in exchange for lease. For your security, you ought to just enter into a composed lease. The lease says what you are accountable for, and what the proprietor is accountable for. Both you and the the lease and you both must do what the lease states. Leases are frequently challenging to comprehend, even for native English speakers, so it is best to have somebody you trust assist you comprehend your lease, or get in touch with an attorney to help you.

What is rent?

This is the amount of cash you will pay the property owner each month. Rent is paid in advance, implying that lease is due at the start of the month, typically on the first of the month, for that month. Make certain you know where and how to pay the lease - online? By check? Cash? If you pay your rent in cash, constantly get a receipt as evidence of your payment.

What is the regard to the lease?

This is the time duration you and the landlord concur that you can live in the residential or commercial property, and you will pay rent. Most of the time the term is for one year, however it can be less or more if both you and the landlord concur. When this term is over, you and the property manager can sign a new lease-if you both agree-and start all over. Or, you can leave the residential or commercial property.

What are the things the property manager is accountable for?

Mainly, the property manager is responsible for making sure the residential or commercial property is fit to reside in and basic things work. Most repairs are typically the property manager's obligation, particularly bigger things like the heater, warm water heating system, a/c, range, refrigerator, dishwasher, etc. Ensure the lease has either the proprietor's or residential or commercial property manager's contact information-telephone number, email address, etc.-and how to get in touch with the property manager or residential or commercial property manager in an emergency situation.

What are the primary things the occupant is responsible for?

You are required to 1) pay rent and 2) keep the residential or commercial property in good condition. Any other responsibilities will be listed in the lease. Sometimes the tenant is responsible for small repair work and the property owner is accountable for major repair work. Ensure you know what repair work you are accountable for before you sign the lease. The renter is likewise responsible to spend for any damages that they, or any of their guests, cause.

What is a security deposit?

This is money that you offer the property owner to hold in case you stop working to pay rent or if you damage the residential or commercial property. The down payment is your money. If you do everything that the lease says you are needed to do (in many cases, remain for the full term of the lease, pay your rent, and do not damage the residential or commercial property) then you should get your down payment back at the end of the lease. This should happen within 1 month after the lease has ended, or 60 days if that's what the lease says, but it can never ever be more than 60 days after the lease has actually ended. The property owner must offer you a composed statement that shows any reductions from the down payment, and why it was deducted. In addition to this declaration, the proprietor should offer you any cash that is due to you. If you do not agree with the part of your security deposit that was kept by the property manager, you can go to little claims court and have a judge decide. You can get more info about small claims court from the county in which you live. Also, see the resources listed below for more help.

What am I expected to pay before relocating?

The majority of the time you will be required to pay the 1st month's lease plus a security deposit, which is generally equal to one month's rent. Sometimes it can be more. Also, if you are relocating the middle of a month, you might be required to pay rent for the part of the month you will be residing in the residential or commercial property. For example, let's state the rent is $1,500 monthly and you are moving in on the 1st of the month. You will pay the first month's rent, $1,500, plus the security deposit, $1,500, for an overall of $3,000. But if you move in on the 20th of the month, you will most likely have to pay $500 for the 10 days of the current month (1/3 of a month), plus the $3,000 explained above.

What else do I have to pay monthly besides lease?

Rent might not be all that you have to pay. Usually, most utilities-electricity, natural gas, water, internet, cable television TV-are paid by you. Everything that you are accountable to spend for will be noted in the lease. Sometimes, some energies are included in the lease, but most of the time they are not, and you are needed to pay them. Make sure you comprehend whatever that you are needed to spend for before you sign the lease.

Is the lease negotiable?

Many products in the lease are negotiable and can be altered if you and the proprietor both agree. The 2 most typical things that individuals try to work out are the term and the rent. Let's say the property manager wants an occupant for one year, but you only want to stay for 6 months. The term will be chosen by what you both accept. Same with the lease. Remember, both you and the landlord should concur.

How should I communicate with the proprietor or residential or commercial property supervisor?

Try to communicate with your property owner in composing when possible (email, etc) Obviously, you can call, but try to follow that with an email to verify what was said. If it is a concern, you must send out a letter by qualified mail. In an emergency, call the emergency situation number that need to remain in your lease. If that number is not in your lease, ask for it before you move in.

How do I file a complaint on a residential or commercial property manager?

You can file a grievance versus a residential or commercial property manager with the Division of Real Estate.

Filing a Complaint

Can the landlord or residential or commercial property manager check out the residential or commercial property while you are living there?

Your property manager or residential or commercial property manager may wish to visit the residential or commercial property from time to time to examine its condition, but the landlord or residential or commercial property manager can not just come over whenever they want (an exception is if there is an emergency). They need to provide you affordable notice or get your authorization, and it needs to be at a sensible time. Check your lease arrangement worrying this notification and the proprietor's right to get in the residential or commercial property. Once you rent the residential or commercial property from the property manager, it is your home for the term of the lease, and you have a right to privacy.

Can I be charged a late fee if my lease payment is late?

Yes, only if your lease payment is late by 7 or more days and the late charge is specified in your lease. You must get notice of the late cost within 180 days of the date on which your rent payment was due. Late charges charged by property owners and residential or commercial property supervisors are limited to the higher of $50 or 5% of the past due lease payment.

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Can I be evicted from the residential or commercial property?

An eviction is a legal process that a property manager must go through to remove you from the residential or commercial property. This process is generally used when an occupant breaks one or more lease terms, for example, stopping working to pay lease, not leaving the residential or commercial property after the lease term ends, allowing people who aren't on the lease to stay in the residential or commercial property, or performing unlawful activity on the residential or commercial property. For info on your rights if you are being kicked out, see the resources listed below.
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