Landlord-tenant law | Business & Finance homework help
A tenant and landlord have both legal rights and responsibilities that must be respected under the law. A tenant has a right to safe, livable housing and to be free from discrimination based on gender, race, religion or other factors. Tenants also have the right to quiet enjoyment of the rental property and cannot be evicted without due process. They are responsible for paying rent on time, adhering to rules outlined in the lease agreement and taking proper care of the rental unit.
Landlords have their own rights as well; they can require tenants to pay security deposits at move-in, set guidelines for conduct while living in their property (such as noise levels), charge late fees when rent is not paid on time, evict tenants who break the terms of their lease agreements or fail to meet certain obligations like making repairs requested by tenants. Landlords are also responsible for providing safe housing that meets all state laws and local regulations while maintaining their rental units according to accepted standards of habitability. In addition, landlords must provide tenants with information about any changes in ownership that might occur during their tenancy such as a new owner taking over or a foreclosure happening on the property. Finally, landlords must respect tenants’ privacy by not entering into a unit unless it’s an emergency situation or if they need access for maintenance purposes after giving reasonable notice first.