ABA Family Legal Guide

Renting Residential Property

Renting an apartment—or any living space—is an important decision. As a tenant, you will probably spend more of your income on rent than on any other monthly expense. As a landlord, you will depend upon the tenant to pay the expenses of running the building as well as provide you with an income. You should make the decision to rent carefully, and not act in haste. This chapter will help you to make a good decision that you will not regret.

This chapter will also give you some suggestions on how to handle problems that arise after moving in, and talk about your options, whether you're a landlord or a tenant, if problems continue after moving out.

1. Renting Basics
1. Choosing a Landlord
2. Choosing a Tenant
3. Leases
4. Lease Clauses to Consider
2. Maintaining Rental Property
1. Municipal Code Enforcement
2. Repair and Deduct
3. Reduced Rent
4. Lease Termination for Code Violations
3. Ending the Landlord-Tenant Relationship
1. Lease Termination by Landlords
2. Lease Termination by Tenants
3. Security Deposits
4. Other Issues
1. Rent Control
2. Fair Housing