Whether you own a rental property or acting as the overseer for the owner of a rental property, you can be considered as a landlord. Landlords have certain rights and responsibilities. It is important to be aware of these to maintain a good business relationship with the tenants and a smooth operation flow of the business. Below are some basic landlord’s rights and responsibilities.
The Rights of the Landlord:
1. The right to advertise and offer vacant units for rent.
2. Has a right to screen prospective tenants.
3. The right to select the tenant who will live in the rental unit.
4. Determine the rent or lease agreement that includes the amount f the rent and whether or not a pet is allowed to stay in the rental premises.
5. He or she has the right to collect a one-month pay from the tenant as a security deposit.
6. A landlord also has the right to rent increase that conforms to the Rent Stabilization Board Regulations.
7. The right to access or entry on the rental premises in cases of emergency. He or she has also the right to decorations, improvements, provide services or show the premises to workers or prospective buyers and to prospective tenants in the event the unit is abandoned or given up by the tenant.
8. The right to evict tenants lawfully under the following reasons:
a. Failure of a tenant to pay the rent.
b. Failure to comply with the agreed material lease term.
c. Tenant has damaged the unit and refuses to pay for it.
d. When a tenant refuses to sign a lease agreement that is the same as the old lease agreement.
e. Despite the notice to cease, the tenant continues to destroy the quiet and peace of the other tenants.
f. If the tenant refuses entry of the landlord, who has a legitimate reason to do so, such as making the necessary repairs which could not be accomplished while the tenant is still living in the unit.
g. The landlord or the owner in good faith seeks the demolition of the property and has been given the legal permits to do so.
The Responsibilities of the Landlord:
1. To provide the tenants the name and contact details of the owner of the property or the manager.
2. Is responsible for repairs on the rental unit. And to ensure the heating and hot water installations and other sanitary installations such as sinks and baths.
3. To ensure that the rental premises is safe and fit for living.
4. Repairs and upkeeps of the rooms and the water heating equipment in the rental unit.
5. He must comply with the applicable building codes.
6. Provide the maintenance of the electrical, air-conditioning, plumbing and heating equipment.
7. A landlord also has to provide for proper trash removal.
8. To supply for the running water for tenants and a substantial amount of hot water.
If a tenant moves out, the landlord should return the security deposit to the tenant or else provide a written statement why he or she is unable to do so. This statement must be furnished within two weeks after the termination of the tenancy agreement. He or she may withhold from the deposit amounts necessary to remedy any default in payments and the cost of restoring the original condition of the rental unit at the start of the tenancy.
Tags: business relationship, good faith, lease agreement, legitimate reason, necessary repairs, prospective tenants, rental premises, rights and responsibilities, smooth operation, term c