As a Sandy property owner, it is necessary to understand the laws that govern rental homes in your locale. Landlord-tenant law clearly defines the rights and obligations that both landlords and tenants have relative to a rental property. Conceding that numerous aspects of landlord/tenant law vary from state to state, there are other parts of the law that all property owners – and tenants – would do well to remember.
Landlord/tenant law mostly depends on the strength of your lease agreement. Lease agreements are binding contracts that must clearly outline the relationship between the landlord and their tenant. A good lease agreement should have detailed information about the responsibilities of both parties as well as language that protects their rights.
But, on a different note, most lease agreements must also follow state and federal tenant/landlord law. Every so often, Sandy property owners might include sections of a lease agreement that violate those laws. As an instance, discriminating against a tenant based on gender, religion, race, or disability is illegal. That kind of discrimination violates the Federal Fair Housing Act, which protects individuals in certain classes from being denied housing.
One of the many important laws to bring to mind comprise those that regulate security deposits. Even supposing most landlords urge tenants to pay a security deposit before moving in, the number of such deposits may be limited under your state law. Landlord/tenant laws likewise dictate how security deposits are to be returned, and also how soon the refund must be issued after a tenant moves out.
For illustration, the law states that all security deposits must be returned to a tenant when they move out, minus any documented deductions for repairs or cleaning costs. Deposits could be a challenging area, for the reason that while some deductions are allowed, in the same breath, it is illegal for a landlord to deduct the cost of regular maintenance or normal wear and tear.
In most states, landlords have a maximum of 30 days to return a tenant’s security deposit. Exceeding this timeframe could have serious consequences for any landlord, and as a result, it’s crucial to observe any time limits included in your state or local laws.
Tenant/landlord law generally includes as well protections for both tenant rights and landlord rights. To say the least, most state laws state that tenants have the right to quiet enjoyment, a livable condition, and a certain level of privacy. The flip side of these rights and privileges is that landlords have responsibilities to guarantee that their property maintenance and oversight do not violate these rights.
Most certainly, the law also ensures that landlords can protect their rights. State laws often protect a landlord’s right to require a monthly rental payment as well as other payments as specified in the lease (utility bills, for instance). The law also protects a landlord’s ability to evict tenants for nonpayment or other legal causes. However, oftentimes a very specific process must be followed to ensure that a tenant’s rights are not violated during an eviction.
By always remembering key aspects of landlord/tenant law, you can ascertain that your rental properties and policies are in compliance. Operating within the law can help you avoid expensive and unnecessary lawsuits and certainly make your rental properties profitable for many years.
At Real Property Management Wasatch, our team of expert Sandy property managers is here to handle the legal requirements for you. Our staff is trained and well versed in landlord/tenant law, equal housing, fair housing, and more. To check out and talk about our property management plans, contact us online or call us at 801-889-1517.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
