TENANTS/LANDLORDS
General obligations of landlords and tenants
Landlord-tenant disputes are a common occurrence in the renting process, and many could be avoided if both parties were aware of their rights and responsibilities.
General obligations of tenants
Tenants should:
- Pay rent on time
- Use reasonable care and not damage property
- Properly dispose of garbage
- Refrain from taking on additional occupants or subleasing without the landlord's written permission
Landlords should:
- Make property habitable before tenants move in
- Make and pay for repairs due to ordinary wear and tear
- Refrain from turning off a tenant's water, electricity or gas
- Provide written notice to tenants when ownership of the property is transferred to a new landlord
- Not unlawfully discriminate
Eviction
A landlord may not evict a tenant without a court order. The landlord may begin eviction proceedings if a tenant:
- Damages property.
- Fails to pay rent.
- Violates terms of the lease.
- Injures the lessor or another tenant.
- Allows drug-related criminal activity on the premises.
- Fails to vacate at the end of the lease term.
- Gambles illegally on the property.
The tenant will receive a notice that an eviction lawsuit has been filed and will have the opportunity to be heard in court before any eviction.