Learning the rights as a landlord can save you from a life full of headaches and rude surprises when it comes to dealing with your tenants. You might want to get helpful information on the important rights that you will observe as a landlord to be able to have a harmonious relationship with your renters.
Rights on Property Damages and Repairs
- If the occupant does not want to settle the property repairs due to his abuse and negligence, this expense can be deducted from his security deposit. You must provide him a copy of all the receipts and explain to him the item per item deductions you have made.
- There is a need for you, as a landlord, to maintain the rental property in a good living condition which abides by the domestic health and safety regulations.
- Damages that are due to daily wear and tear must be repaired and arranged as soon as possible. Landlords are reliable for carrying out the expense for the repairs.
- When there is repair to be made in the property, you need to inform or notify the tenants ahead of time. Normally, they have to know it one or two days before the actual repair is done.
- When your property is destroyed due to the negligence or abuse of the renters, they will be the one responsible for paying the repair expenses.
Rights on Collection of Rent
- When the renter is a later payer, you have the right to impose late charges that are reasonable enough. Usually, landlords require them to pay 5-15% of the monthly rent.
- You can decide and stipulate the amount of rent as to how much you want as long as it is still favorable to the occupants. However, if there is a rent control in your place or your tenant is under a housing subsidy, they you need to make necessary adjustments and considerations. Be sure to obey by the regulations set by the real estate laws when calculating for the price of the rent.
- It is your right, being the landlord, to get the monthly rent from your tenants on the particular due date and terms specified in the leasing agreement.
- When you will increase your rent, you have to inform or notify your occupants of such raise one to two months in advance. As for fixed term tenancy, you can impose any increase in rent until it ends unless the real estate bylaws or written rental contract permits you to do so.
Rights on Evicting the Tenants
- As a landlord, you have the every right to evict the tenants if they are defiant in paying their rent or violate the agreed terms written on the lease agreement. There can also be a probability to evict a tenant, who is regularly late in their monthly rent, which is applicable in some other areas.
- Eviction lawsuit can be filed once you have written a notice to the tenant giving him the last chance to clean up his mess.
- Even if you are the landlord, you do not have the right to do extreme courses of actions because of rebellious renter. You can not change the locks of their unit or stop the electricity and water supply anytime you wish to do so.
