Tenants should know about their tenant rights. Why? Because this could save you follow unnecessary orders of your landlord which are not even part of the law and you are not responsible for following them. Tenant rights in NYC, California, MA, NJ, Texas, Illinois are little different but generally they are all same and as a tenant, you should be aware of them.
Generally speaking, the tenant rights in other countries like UK, South Africa, Canada and their states like Ontario are same as the legal rights of tenant in America but still, many renters has to face problems because of their landlord and society they are living in because they are not aware of their legal rights as a tenant. Although, even if you does not sign contract with your landlord, you are still able to use your basic human rights as a tenant in different countries.
List of tenant rights in NJ, Texas, Illinois, NYC and California
The following legal tenant rights are not limited to specific type of tenant but you can get use them as your legal rights whether you are a private tenant, living in an apartment, flat, in a street house or a society etc. These rights can be used by any of them as long as the person is recognized as a tenant as per country law in America.
1. You have right to make reasonable noise
A neighbor could not make a formal complaint against you just because your children or pets are making noise but you have to take care about the amount of noise if in the case of entertainment at your home. There is no scale to measure the reasonableness of noise but make sure that it should not be too much loud to disturb the neighbors.
2. You are right to complain about noise
If your neighbors are making so much noise in case of entertainment then as per country law, you can make the formal complaint about this to police. You can also complain about your landlord if you are sharing the portion of your house with him and the noises are coming from his portion.
3. You have right to contact your landlord
It is your right to get detailed contact information about your landlord which includes information like telephone numbers, email, and postal address etc. Also if you got the house with the help of their agent then you can contact with agent and landlord any reasonable time.
4. Unlawful eviction of tenant
Your landlord have right to evicted you from his property for certain reasons or he could try to evict you, but you also got equal right to speak in your favor and have the right to a hearing with tenant board and landlord to explain that why this is an unlawful eviction.
5. Legal rights over vital services
You have right to get access to vital services which includes hot and color water, gas, heating system, fuel, and electricity. Your landlord can not shut off any of these services even you are not paying your monthly rent. These vital services can be only shut off for short time in case of repairs only.
6. You have right to stop landlord to enter your home
Once you become a legal tenant of the property, it is your right to get complete privacy even from the original owner of the property. You can stop your landlord to enter your home. If your landlord wants to enter your home for repairs, then he required your permission.
7. Rights over legal documents
You have a right to have the written copy of ternary agreement or contract which you have signed with your landlord. Make sure that it has been written as you have agreed with and sign after that. Tenancy agreement could be used in future as evidence.
8. Your landlord can not discriminate against you
As per United States of Law, your landlord can not discriminate against you on the basis of your religion, age, sex, family status, color, disability, and your origin etc. Although you can invite your friend and family members to stay with you at your home unless it has been restricted to tenancy contract.
No comments: