Tenant Rights

Tenant rights can either refer to the rights tenants enjoy by law, or to the movement to acquire such rights. Tenant rights generally seek to protect renters from landlord neglect and unfair eviction, as well as secure fair, affordable housing.

Laws dealing with the landlord-tenant relationship vary greatly between jurisdictions. These laws may provide some or all of the following for tenants:

• remedies for bad conditions
• privacy protections
• protection from landlord retaliation
• protection from exorbitant rent increases
• protection for the right to organize
• Just cause eviction controls

1. Bring your paperwork.

I myself have an experience when we are (NPA) "No Permanent Address"period.
The best way to win over a prospective landlord is to be prepared.
To get a competitive edge over other applicants, bring the following when you meet the landlord: a completed rental application; written references from landlords, employers, and colleagues; and a current copy of your credit report.

2. Review the lease conditions

Carefully review all of the conditions of the tenancy before you sign on the dotted line.

Your lease or rental agreement may contain a provision that you find unacceptable --

for example:

• restrictions on guests.


• pets.


• design alterations.


• running a home business.

3. Make all verbal talking in writing

To avoid disputes or misunderstandings with your landlord, get everything in writing.

Keep copies of any correspondence and follow up an oral agreement with a letter, setting out your understandings.

For example:

if you ask your landlord to make repairs, put your request in writing and keep a copy for yourself. If the landlord agrees orally, send a letter confirming this.