The Responsibility of Proprietors and Tenants

Thu 12th Jun, 2014 | Blog by Michael Michetti

Moving into your own home or apartment for the first time is a learning experience. This is the time of life when we learn who we are, what drives us, and how to live life as an adult.

Taking the next step and becoming a mentally and financially stable adult, means actively taking responsibility for your actions. When it comes to renting apartments, some property owners care for you and treat you like family. Contrarily, some take advantage of those who do not fully understand their rights. Likewise, some tenants have taken advantage of “nice” proprietors.

Protect yourself by knowing your rights, know what you should and should not expect from your landlord. This blog post may help you avoid disputes between parties, so keep it handy if you are a renter!

Tenants should:

• Pay rent on or before the date that it is due.
• Exercise reasonable behavior and avoid damaging the property at all costs.
• Dispose of garbage in a clean and timely manner
• Refrain from subletting without written consent from the proprietor.
• Remember that a tenant is never excused from a lease because they failed to read it.

Landlords should:

• Ensure that the home is habitable before tenants move in.
• Pay for repairs caused by ordinary wear and tear.
• Never turn off a tenant’s water, electricity or gas.
• Provide written notice to tenants when selling the home or transferring ownership to another proprietor.
• Never discriminate based on age, color, or gender.