LAW IN AMERICAN SOCIETY RENTING AN APARTMENT

1.tenant: person who rents the space 2.landlord: the person who owns the space

3. The steps a. Look for an apartment i. Use the newspaper, a realtor, or online services to find apartments that fit your criteria 1. do not spend more than 30% of your income on rent

Criteria Pets Parking (Street, Garage, Alley Space) Smoking Heat Control Security Systems Proximity to: Schools, Trains, Expressway, Job, Stores, Restaurants

b. inspect the apartment i. always go and check out the place 1. look for major problems with plumbing, heating, walls, appliances, etc.

c.fill out a lease application: form used by landlord to determine if person qualifies

i. asks for: name age current address place of employment source of income previous residences credit references

ii. Landlord will run a credit check on you d. sign the lease: a legal contract between landlord and tenant about conditions of rental i. Includes the following:

a. move-in/move-out dates b. amount of rent c. date of rent payment d. when rent can be raised e. rules for repairs, maintenance f. any other special agreements

g. amount of security deposit: money given to landlord in case of damages that occur during rental period; is returned at end of lease if there are no problems

1.Usually equals the amount of one month’s rent 2. Landlord can ask for any amount based on renter’s credit

ii.usually leases are written to the advantage of the landlord iii.Three types of leases:

1.month-to-month lease: allows tenant to leave after 30 days notice a. also allows landlord to evict / raise rent after 30 days notice

2. tenancy for years: fixed time period (ex: one year) a. most common type of lease b. landlord can’t raise rent or evict during that period c. tenant can’t just leave

` 3.tenancy at will: lease is for an indefinite period of time a. usually happens when someone outstays their lease b. no protection for either tenant or landlord