Laws That Protect Renters
Each state has its own Landlord Tenant Act. Under these Acts, laws on evictions, security deposits, termination of lease agreements, tenant screenings, rental payments and other renter and landlord rights are listed. If your landlord violates any of these laws, you need to file a lawsuit in civil court, and allow a judge to rule on the situation.
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Terms of Lease Agreement
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Your rental agreement is a legally binding contract. The amount of your rent, its due date and any other terms of the lease may not be changed unless the lease expires or states otherwise. If you are required to submit a security deposit, your landlord must return that security deposit to you once your lease agreement is up and you vacate the property. If you owe any money for rent, or expenses on fixing any damages you've caused (beyond normal wear and tear), your landlord may take these expenses out of the security deposit. Your landlord must provide you with a document detailing these expenses.
Evictions
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Your landlord does not have the right to lock you out of the property, cut off your utilities or remove your personal belongings from the property. Your landlord must first serve you with a notice to vacate the property you are renting. The notice generally states the reason for the eviction, when you must vacate and the action you must take to rectify the reason for eviction (non-payment of rent or for not fixing a violation of some type). If you do not respond to the notice, your landlord must file an eviction with the local courts. You are permitted to stay on the property until a judge has made a ruling in your case. A judge will either evict you, grant you a stay-of-eviction (allowing you to remain in the property until you find suitable housing) or throw the eviction out altogether.
Fair Housing Act
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Landlords must choose to rent to you based on your rental history, job stability, earnings and other specifics outside of group characteristics. The Fair Housing Act and Fair Housing Amendments Act make it illegal to rent to a tenant based on gender, race group, national origin, physical or mental disability, religion or family status (such as having children or being pregnant except when pertaining to designated senior housing). Using a person's age, marital status and sexual preference to determine renting eligibility is prohibited according to some state and local laws. Landlords have the right to request and follow up on your requested references, as long as this procedure is equally used with all other renters. Renters that are a victim of discrimination should contact the local U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which is the agency that enforces the Fair Housing Act. You must file this complaint within a year of its occurrence. HUD investigates the complaint to determine whether you have the grounds to sue the landlord.
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