Knowledge Makes Happy Renters
Written by theeducatedrenter
When a landlord refuses to fix a serious problem in a rental, it is understandable to wonder: “If my landlord won’t make the repairs, can I stop paying rent?” The answer is sometimes—but never assume you can simply stop paying rent. Rent withholding and “repair and deduct” are legal remedies that exist in some states … Continue reading “Can I Withhold Rent for Repairs?”
Written by theeducatedrenter
Receiving a Notice to Quit from your landlord can be frightening, especially if you’ve never dealt with one before. The wording may sound serious, and you may wonder whether you have already been evicted or whether you need to leave immediately. In most situations, a Notice to Quit is not the same thing as a … Continue reading “What Is a Notice to Quit? Is It an Eviction?”
Written by theeducatedrenter
Utility bills can take a surprisingly large bite out of a renter’s monthly budget. Electricity, natural gas, heating oil, water, sewer, and even internet and phone service can add hundreds of dollars to the cost of living each month. The good news is that renters have more options than simply turning the thermostat down and … Continue reading “How to Save Money on Apartment Utilities: Assistance Programs & Energy-Saving Tips”
Written by theeducatedrenter
If your landlord changes the locks, tells you that you can no longer enter your apartment, or shuts off your utilities to force you to move out, you may be dealing with an illegal lockout or “self-help” eviction. For many renters, this raises an important question: Can a landlord legally change the locks and make … Continue reading “Can a Landlord Change the Locks? What Renters Need to Know About Illegal Lockouts”
Written by theeducatedrenter
Paying rent late can be expensive, but how much can a landlord legally charge? A lease may contain a late-fee provision stating that a tenant will owe an additional amount if rent is not paid by a particular date. But a landlord’s ability to impose late fees is not necessarily unlimited. Whether a late fee … Continue reading “Can a Landlord Charge Excessive Late Fees?”
Written by theeducatedrenter
A security deposit is meant to protect a landlord against certain losses when a tenant moves out. But that does not mean a landlord can automatically keep part or all of the deposit for anything that looks different from the day the tenant moved in. One of the most important distinctions in a security deposit … Continue reading “What Can a Landlord Deduct From Your Security Deposit? Wear and Tear vs. Damage”
