Fighting the Good Fight for Renters' Rights | REALTOR.com? Blogs

Let?s face it: Renting isn?t the American Dream. But for most of us out there ? and even more so now that the demand for rentals has increased ? the day-to-day reality of being a tenant, while figuring out how to pay more rent and still save money to buy a home, is getting tougher.

Before I bought a house in a short sale two years ago, I rented. In 10 years, I lived in six different rentals with varying degrees of satisfaction. Mostly, I was unprepared to rent because my family hadn?t rented when I was growing up (my parents bought their home four years before I was born and still have it). I knew to read my lease before I signed it, but I didn?t know what I should look for in a ?fair? lease or that rent and lease terms could be negotiated. I didn?t know what my rights as a tenant were. When I was a college student, I naively thought the contract was more between my parents and my landlord than me and my landlord ? even though I?d signed the lease.

That all changed when my shared rental house was sold in the middle of the lease term and my new landlord gave me $33 of my $350 security deposit back when I moved out. My dad said, ?That?s what happens.? He told me to get over it, even though the repairs the landlord charged us for contradicted the terms of the lease we?d signed with our original landlord.

A little research into Ohio?s tenant laws (if the judgment is in favor of the tenant, the landlord must pay the tenant?s attorney fees and double the judgment amount), a few threatening letters from our attorney, and I?d recovered all but $50 of my deposit.

So, when all you want is a comfortable place to live while you squirrel away money for a down payment on your own house, how do you protect yourself?

First, learn in advance what I learned out of necessity: States have tenant laws and knowing them will help prevent a landlord from trying to take advantage of you. I?ve rented and lived in three states (Ohio, Minnesota and California) and all of them set up their tenant laws to keep renters safe from unfair landlords.

Second, make sure your lease has some minimum responsibilities outlined: length of lease, rent due date, grace period, late fees and included utilities. The easiest way to protect yourself is to have everything in writing. If you and your landlord agree to an amendment of your lease, write it down and both of you sign it.

Most of all, though, don?t do what my dad advised if you think you?re being treated unfairly. Turn to the internet or low-cost legal services to see if there?s something you can do. It never hurts to try. Oh, and buy renters? insurance.

Want to learn about tenant laws in your state? The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development can help.

Related posts:

1. Do I Have To Compensate A Realtor For Work On A Commercial Lease?
2. Can a Landlord Be Held Accountable If A Tenant Withholds A Deposit In A Sublease Situation?
3. How Long Should I Write A Room Rental Agreement For?
4. Can A Property For Sale Be Shown If It Is Rented Out?
5. My Landlord Wants To Sell My House, What Rights Do I Have?

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