Legal Issues

Rent control is a set of laws, which is adopted by a local or state government, designed to protect tenants. The most common factors that rent control laws regulate are the maximum rent price, how much rent can go up when re-signing a lease, and what options are available to tenants who live in rental […]

For anyone who is reviewing a lease agreement prior to move-in, it helps to be able to identify some warning signs of a bad landlord tenant relationship that is waiting to happen. Sometimes, the clauses of a lease can be bad omens, where tenant rights hinge on a good reading and negotiation of “landlord laws” […]

The concept of rent control has existed to some degree since around World War I. It grew to include several states (and a number of counties and cities within these states) following World War II. The concept of rent control is that it places caps on the maximum amount of money a landlord can charge […]

Foreclosure is a fact of life for many people in this economy. Some wonder if it renting after foreclosure is a possibility. You are not alone, and there are many people on your side. Michael Moore is rallying for a cease on all foreclosures until the mortgage mess is settled. People in the government are […]

Whether you’re looking to rent for the first time, or just need a quick refresher, you can save yourself time and energy by knowing some of the basic types of information you’ll need in order to complete a standard rental application. Basic information Most of the basic information you’ll need for your tenant application will […]

When you move into an apartment, you usually have to hand over an extra check to your landlord: a security deposit. It may be the equivalent of a full month’s rent or it may be a little less. No matter what, though, it’s a sizable chunk of money that you’d like to get back when […]

Going over a lease agreement is a critical part of entering into a business relationship between a landlord and tenant. When it’s time to open the books to look at the lease agreement, there is a lot that a tenant can do to negotiate a better deal. Here are some of the ways to use […]

Despite legislation designed to protect you from housing discrimination, disability discrimination is still common. Fortunately, you have recourse. By understanding your rights and knowing how to assert them, you can rectify the situation when your rights have been violated. Disability Discrimination in Housing Laws In the U.S., the Fair Housing Act (FHA) is the federal […]

So you and your roommate have taken the first step and decided to create a roommate agreement. As you begin drafting the document, it’s best to sit down and make a list of all issues to be covered. No issue is too big or too small, and the more comprehensive you make the agreement, the […]