Legal Issues

In almost any awkward apartment living situation, landlord tenant disputes can be resolved amicably, as long as both parties are willing to work toward an agreeable end for both of them. The thing that you have to keep in mind is that, no matter how difficult it may be, try to extend kindness and empathy […]

Rent control laws can be quite restrictive but are not necessarily exclusionary. Taking advantage of rent control laws is more than possible, but requires forethought, planning and savvy. Because of the low cost of rent controlled apartments and the high demand, it may be quite difficult to find an available, rent controlled apartment. As such, […]

A security deposit can make a difference in what apartment you’re able to afford. A high security deposit may be a barrier to moving into a unit, if you’re not able to negotiate a lower deposit. Some landlords require an amount that clearly violates the law, but fighting them in court over it won’t do […]

A one page rental lease application doesn’t seem like a big deal, but making a mistake on the application can cost you an apartment.  Don’t ignore these 4 common mistakes when completing yours: 1 – Giving Too Much Information It’s understandable that the landlord wants to do a thorough background check on you, and obtain […]

Your entire day, week or month can go sour, when you receive a rent increase letter. It’s a normal part of apartment living, and landlords send one to tenants every now an then. Some landlords go overboard and send a rent increase letter every 3 months or so, often violating state renting laws. There are […]

A rent increase can sometimes come as quite a surprise to you, especially if you haven’t received one in a while. However, many times it’s necessary if the landlord must make improvements, keep pace with the cost of living or make up the difference due to increased taxation. Of course, sometimes the reason doesn’t have […]

A month to month lease agreement has many benefits but it also has several drawbacks. While you may enjoy the freedom a month-to-month lease provides, you should also be aware of the problems such a lease can create. 1. Higher Cost Because there is always the possibility of a month-to-month lease ending in the next […]

Apartment lease termination that occurs prior to the end of the lease term can have several legal consequences. Tenants that terminate leases early can face extensive financial costs, negative reporting on credit reports and possibly even legal action. Described below are some of the legal concerns and possible consequences to consider before termination a lease […]

Roommate eviction is not pleasant, but it’s a normal part of apartment living. Sometimes things just don’t work out, but instead of leaving voluntarily, you have to use the court system to get someone to leave. It’s difficult to live with a roommate as you’re trying to evict them, or vice versa, and trying to […]