{"id":7357,"date":"2023-05-05T18:10:58","date_gmt":"2023-05-05T18:10:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/imsfund.com\/?p=7357"},"modified":"2023-05-05T18:10:58","modified_gmt":"2023-05-05T18:10:58","slug":"10-landlord-tenant-laws-every-landlord-should-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/imsfund.com\/index.php\/2023\/05\/05\/10-landlord-tenant-laws-every-landlord-should-know\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Landlord-Tenant Laws Every Landlord Should Know"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div :class=\"{ 'hidden': $store.proContent.showFullPrompt() }\">\n<section class=\"px-4 relative border border-slate-200 mobile-toc lg:hidden\" x-data=\"{open:false}\">\n<button class=\"flex items-center gap-4 my-2 border-none w-full\"><br \/>\n<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"h-6 w-6\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\"><path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M4 8h16M4 16h16\"\/><\/svg><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"font-semibold text-slate-800 text-base m-0 js-toc-ignore\">In this article<\/h2>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">While the process of finding a new tenant can be relatively straightforward, the tricky part is familiarizing yourself with landlord-tenant laws. And, even if you are familiar with them, rental laws are constantly changing. That\u2019s why regularly keeping tabs on local regulations can help you better manage your rental properties.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">While the best way to familiarize yourself with rental laws is to consult a qualified legal expert, this article offers a closer look at ten landlord-tenant laws that all landlords should research.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">1. Rental Licenses<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Depending on where you live, you may need a rental license before renting out your property. Rental licensing programs exist to ensure that rental properties meet minimum housing standards.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Some states, like Oregon, require all landlords to have rental licenses for their properties. However, other states may only have mandates in certain counties, cities, or municipalities. For example, landlords in Philadelphia must be licensed, despite Pennsylvania not having a statewide requirement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Failing to comply with these requirements could result in fines and other penalties, so review your state and local laws before leasing your rental properties.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">2. Rent and Security Deposit Collection<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/how-to-collect-rent\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rent collection<\/a> is the primary income stream for rental businesses, so it\u2019s essential to be aware of any applicable rent laws for your state. States like Ohio and Virginia have no specific statewide rent regulations. Meanwhile, California law says landlords can\u2019t require tenants to pay rent in cash.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Security deposits are also subject to specific laws that vary from state to state. Rhode Island landlords, for example, aren\u2019t allowed to charge a security deposit of more than one month\u2019s rent and must return the deposit within 20 days of the lease ending.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Florida has no limit to how much a landlord can charge for a security deposit. Still, if you decide to hold a deposit in an interest-bearing account, you\u2019ll have to choose to pay the tenant either at least 75% of the annualized average interest rate or 5% simple interest per year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">3. Late Fees and Grace Periods<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/late-rent-fees\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">late fee<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0is an easy and enforceable way to encourage on-time rent payments, but states may have specific rules that apply to them. According to Tennessee law, landlords can impose late fees if they don\u2019t exceed 10% of the rent price.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Before charging a late fee, you should also consider laws concerning grace periods. Tennessee has a statewide five-day grace period before landlords can consider rent late.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In states with no laws concerning late fees and grace periods, landlords should include their policies in the lease for them to be enforceable.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">4. Required Clauses and Disclosures in Lease Agreements<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Your lease agreement is a legally-binding contract that outlines rules and expectations both parties must follow during the lease period. To be an enforceable agreement, it must include locally-required clauses and clauses that don\u2019t violate renters\u2019 rights.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">States like New York, Minnesota, and Rhode Island all require the following clauses:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Landlord\u2019s name, address, and phone number<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Rent amount and due date<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Length of the lease agreement<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Description of the rental unit<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Separate from clauses, landlords may also need to include specific disclosures in the lease as well. A common requirement in several states is to disclose all known lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards with a warning and an\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/lead\/protect-your-family-lead-your-home-english\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">EPA pamphlet<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Some states may have more specific requirements. For example, landlords in Missouri must also disclose if the property was used as a site for methamphetamine production.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">You can research your local landlord-tenant laws to verify what clauses are required, but it can be helpful to include the clauses listed above in your written lease, even if there\u2019s no statewide requirement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">5. Marijuana Use<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">While laws surrounding marijuana use are changing in states nationwide, landlords are generally allowed to set their own policies for their rental properties. Similar to prohibiting cigar and cigarette smoke, you can also prohibit tenants from smoking marijuana in your unit. You may also be able to prohibit tenants from producing marijuana.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">For example, Wisconsin law prohibits the possession, sale, and manufacture of marijuana. Landlords can serve a non-curable five-day notice to quit to tenants who produce or distribute marijuana on the rental property.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">6. Pets, Emotional Support Animals, and Service Animals<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thezebra.com\/resources\/research\/pet-ownership-statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Over half of US households own a pet<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, so understanding landlord-tenant laws in your state concerning pets can benefit your rental business. Some states, like Kansas, restrict how much landlords can charge for a pet deposit. Other states, like New Hampshire, have no limitations on pet fees.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">It\u2019s worth noting that emotional support animals (ESA) and service animals are not considered pets and are regulated differently. ESAs are animals that provide disability-relieving emotional support to an individual. According to the Fair Housing Act, disabled tenants with an emotional support animal may reside in housing with a \u201cNo Pets\u201d policy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Landlords are allowed to request proper documentation for an ESA. However, landlords may not:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Charge a fee, additional rent, or a security deposit for having an emotional support animal<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Ask the tenant about their disability<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Require the animal to have any specific training<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Refuse to house the tenant because their insurance does not cover ESAs<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, service animals are animals that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks that mitigate their handler\u2019s disability. Because they aren\u2019t pets, they can\u2019t be subjected to pet fees. However, landlords can collect a security deposit to address any damage the animal may cause to the property.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">7. Property Abandonment<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Occasionally, tenants may leave some of their belongings at the property after moving out. Before discarding the items, you may need to follow a certain procedure to confirm the tenant no longer wants them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">These laws tend to vary from state to state. Michigan has no specific laws regarding the abandonment of property, while New Mexico landlords must store any of the tenant\u2019s personal property left at the rental for at least 30 days and notify the owner of their intent following the 30 days. Discarding the belongings without following the right process can leave you susceptible to legal issues.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">8. Subleasing<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If your tenant plans to be away from the property for an extended period, you may discuss subleasing as an option to keep your rental income uninterrupted. But what are the laws surrounding subleasing?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In most states, landlords can determine their subleasing policies based on their lease agreements. Generally, landlords will include a clause about subleasing within the written lease or add one with a lease amendment if necessary.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Certain states like New York and Virginia have more specific requirements, so verify your state\u2019s policy to avoid any challenges.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">9. Lease Renewals<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Whether you\u2019ve included an automatic renewal clause in your lease or found high-quality tenants you\u2019d like to retain, you should verify your state\u2019s lease renewal laws.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Some states mandate that fixed-term tenancies terminate automatically at the end of the specified period and convert to renewing month-to-month tenancies with continued occupancy and payment by the tenant. In other states, automatic renewal clauses must be disclosed, and the landlord should remind the tenant during a specified notice period.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Knowing how to handle lease renewals per local landlord-tenant laws can help you cover your bases and communicate clearly with your tenants as a lease ends.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">10. Evictions<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Sometimes, the only way to deal with a problem tenant is by evicting them. This eviction process is highly specific and varies from state to state, so understanding the laws is essential if you plan to pursue an eviction.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">While the eviction process may differ between states, they generally begin by identifying a legal reason to evict a tenant. Some of these reasons include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Nonpayment of rent<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Violation of lease terms<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">No lease or end of lease<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Material health or safety violation<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">It\u2019s important to note that there must be a valid legal reason for a landlord to begin the eviction process. Furthermore, self-help evictions are considered illegal in most states. This means landlords can\u2019t try to evict a tenant by changing locks, cutting off utilities, entering the property, removing the tenant\u2019s belongings, and so on.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Conclusion<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Understanding rental laws can prepare you for various situations you may encounter as a landlord and give you the knowledge to handle them confidently. If questions arise, contact a legal expert to help you better understand local ordinances.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">*Disclaimer: The information provided on this website does not constitute legal advice. Instead, all information available on this site is for informational purposes only. Use of, and access to, this information does not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader and Avail, BiggerPockets, or the contributing law firm.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"is-layout-flow wp-block-group border border-gray-200 p-6 rounded-md has-slate-50-background-color has-background\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"has-text-align-left mt-0\"><strong>This article is presented by Avail<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-152244 sp-no-webp\" title=\"10 Landlord-Tenant Laws Every Landlord Should Know 2\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Avail-Logo_part-of-RDC.webp 361w,https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Avail-Logo_part-of-RDC-300x120.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 361px) 100vw, 361px\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Avail-Logo_part-of-RDC.png 361w, https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Avail-Logo_part-of-RDC-300x120.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 361px) 100vw, 361px\" type=\"image\/png\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Avail-Logo_part-of-RDC.png\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-152244 sp-no-webp\" title=\"10 Landlord-Tenant Laws Every Landlord Should Know 2\" alt=\"Avail Logo part of RDC\" height=\"144\" width=\"361\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Avail-Logo_part-of-RDC.png 361w, https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Avail-Logo_part-of-RDC-300x120.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 361px) 100vw, 361px\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/figure>\n<p>Feel good about the way you manage your rentals.<\/p>\n<p>Avail, by Realtor.com, is free rental property management software that enables landlords to advertise their rental property listing across a dozen sites, screen tenants with customizable questions, request in-depth background checks, create and sign state-specific leases, collect rent, track your rental income and expenses, and much more \u2014 all online.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>512,000+ landlords use Avail because it\u2019s the only end-to-end platform that helps you scale from beginner landlord to professional with tools, support, and education.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"italic\"><b>Note By BiggerPockets:<\/b> These are opinions written by the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of BiggerPockets.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/landlord-tenant-laws\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this article While the process of finding a new tenant can be relatively straightforward, the tricky part is familiarizing yourself with landlord-tenant laws. And, even if you are familiar with them, rental laws are constantly changing. That\u2019s why regularly keeping tabs on local regulations can help you better manage your rental properties. While the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":7358,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/woman-on-computer-1024x517.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7357","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/imsfund.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7357","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/imsfund.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/imsfund.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/imsfund.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/imsfund.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7357"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/imsfund.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7357\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7359,"href":"https:\/\/imsfund.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7357\/revisions\/7359"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/imsfund.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7358"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/imsfund.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7357"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/imsfund.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7357"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/imsfund.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7357"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}