9 Tips for Researching Landlord-Tenant Law

Protecting your rights, when having a problem with your landlord, requires understanding landlord-tenant law. Understanding where to find information and having a good strategy to locate it will help you to handle situations related to your tenancy.

1. Identify Your Problem

Start by determining why you need information on landlord-tenant law. Each type of problem requires different knowledge. Is the problem related to your lease agreement, tenant rights or an eviction notice?

2. Understanding Local Laws

Your state has laws to protect both landlords and tenants. They are based on federal laws, but vary by state. Therefore, it is important to locate landlord-tenant law that applies to your state.

3. Places to Look

You can find information on landlord-tenant law on the Internet and from local sources. When using the Internet, you will find a lot of general information. This can help you to gain an understanding of how landlord-tenant law works, but what is legal in one state may not be legal in another.

4. Searching the Internet

When searching online, check the source of all information you find. If information is not provided by a city, state or federal government site, ensure that the information comes from a reliable source. Always use your state’s name as part of your search query. This will increase the likelihood of finding information specific to your state.

5. Your State’s Official Website

State government websites are a good place to start your search. Look under the section for residents and follow links related to tenant’s rights. You may find additional information under your state’s consumer protection laws, so be sure to check there as well. Most state websites have links to your state’s laws, allowing you to read pertinent sections.

6. Local Library

Many state websites are not updated as soon as the laws in your state change. For this reason, information that you find on a government website can be outdated. Sometimes you can find more current information on landlord-tenant law in the law section of your local library. Ask the librarian for guidance if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

7. City Hall

A trip to city hall may benefit you. Not only do they have up-to-date copies of all of your state’s laws, but there are city employees with knowledge of these issues who can point you in the right direction.

8. Local Tenant’s Union

Most cities and towns have a local tenant’s union. They know a lot about landlord-tenant issues. If you know very little about landlord-tenant law, or have a complicated problem, speaking to someone there can help you to understand your rights and how to proceed in asserting them.

9. Legal Aid Office

In cases where you may need legal advice, your local legal aid office is a good place to obtain information about the laws pertaining to your case. As the ones most likely to know of recent changes to your state’s laws, they can advise you on how and where to obtain the latest information pertaining to your problem.

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Lisa Bernstein: As a long-time apartment dweller and seasoned condominium trustee, I have dealt with numerous landlord-tenant, property management, and day-to-day apartment complex issues. My extensive, direct experience has led to invaluable insights into apartment life from both the tenant and management perspectives.