HOUSING

TAKING CHARGE of
MY RIGHTS to a HOME
Search or Tap for Answers Here:
Do I have the right to maintain some privacy when it comes to a landlord’s application process?
I have a criminal record. Do I still have rights under Fair Housing?
Does a landlord have the right to evict me if my rent is late?
My landlord raised the rent; do I have the right to refuse to pay the difference?
Does Ohio law say that my landlord has to treat for bed bugs, insects, pests and other rodents?
What protection do I have from my landlord retaliating towards me for making requests or complaints?
As a person with a disability, do I have a right to request accommodations?
Can a landlord evict me for a lease violation that is related to my disability?
When it comes to service animals, what rights do I have?
Do I have the right to defend myself during my eviction process?
What if I want a lawyer to represent me in a eviction?
Can I prevent my landlord from locking me out or shutting off my utilities?
TAKING CHARGE OF MY RESPONSIBILITIES at HOME
Search or Tap for Answers Here:
While looking for apartments, what protections do I have from bad landlords?
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Doors and windows lock securely
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Light switches function properly
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Floors and stairs are solid, with no holes
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Utilities are in working order - heat, air conditioning, water, gas, water heater
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Drains don’t back up with water running at full blast
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No water damage or active leaks, either in plumbing, the ceiling, or basement
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Laundry and kitchen appliances - your landlord is NOT required to supply these
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Bed bugs, mice, roaches, or other critters
Do I have the right to document the condition of the apartment I’m renting when I move in?
Yes. Documenting your apartment’s condition at move in will help protect you in the event of a dispute over damages when you move out. You will want to be sure that you take pictures or video of the entire apartment, including floors, walls, ceilings, basement, appliances, cabinets and exterior.
Is it my right to require a written lease from my landlord?
What are my rights if my landlord isn’t following up on the repairs that I have been asking them to make?
Do I have the right to report concerns about my landlord/property manager/apartment to an outside party?
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Your name and address
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The name and address of the person your complaint is against
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The address of the housing involved
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A short description of the event that caused you to believe your rights were violated
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The date(s) of the alleged violation
I don’t want to live here anymore; what’s my right to getting out of my lease?
If my landlord isn’t abiding by the lease, then do I have the right to stop paying rent?
Do I have the right to stay in my apartment after receiving the 3-day notice?
Do I have the right to get my deposit back if someone else did the damage to the apartment?
Can I decide how to use the security deposit?
What can I do if I disagree with the charges in fees deducted from my security deposit?
What are my options if my landlord does not return the security deposit?
EMERGENCY HOUSING OPTIONS
Common Questions & Answers:
Do I have the right to a bed at an emergency shelter if I am homeless?
Am I allowed to sleep in a public park (bench, sidewalk, etc.)?
Do I have the right to squat or stay in an abandoned house, land or building?
GLOSSARY:
Escrow - when a tenant deposits rent money on time to the Clerk of Courts instead of the landlord until the landlord shows proof of repairs and applies for release of money
Lease - a contract which gives the right of possession of property from one to another for a length of time and usually for a specific amount of money
Tenant - the one(s) with possession of the property listed in the lease
Security deposit - money given to the landlord by the tenant to ensure that the tenant follows the terms of the lease
Forwarding Address - The address given to the landlord upon vacating the unit. You must provide your landlord with a forwarding address (the next address where you will receive mail) if you want to receive your security deposit. This must be done in writing
Arrears - past due rent
Amenities - “extra” features and services offered by an apartment community, such as on-site laundry, pool, fitness center, free bus passes, etc.
Damages - money paid to someone who has suffered a loss
Default (rent) - failure to pay; fall behind on payments
Notice - an oral or written warning of a legal event
Term - the period of time that the lease is valid
Retaliation - when a landlord tries to evict a tenant because a complaint is made to the landlord or an agency about a tenancy issue
Eviction - A court process for a landlord to remove a tenant from rental property. The eviction process is also called "unlawful detainer" in some states
Landlord - An owner of real property who, through a lease or rental agreement, promises to rent all or a portion of the property to another person (a "tenant") for -- usually for a set period of time and in exchange for an agreed-upon amount of money
Lease - A written agreement between a landlord and tenant, through which the tenant has the right to use and occupy the landlord's residential property for a specified amount of time in exchange for rent. Also called a "rental agreement"
Quiet Enjoyment - the right to the enjoyment and use of rental property without obstruction or interruption from other building residents, the landlord, or other persons
Renewal - at the end of the rental period, completing another rental agreement to continue residing on the property
Rent - the agreed upon amount of money paid to the landlord by the tenant, according to the lease agreement
Right of entry - A landlord's (very limited) right to enter premises that have been leased to a tenant, usually: in emergency situations, to show the unit to a prospective tenant, or make repairs (in the final two situations proper notice to the tenant is required)
Security deposit - Refundable money paid by a new tenant to the landlord at or before the move-in date, to guarantee the tenant's performance of lease obligations, i.e. no damage to the property beyond wear and tear, and payment of rent. Most states have set limits on the amount of money a landlord may demand for a security deposit. A lease or rental agreement should state the amount of the security deposit, and should also state what the security deposit will be used for, where it will be held, and whether it will earn interest.
Tenant - A person who has been given the right to use and occupy rental property owned by another person, usually through a lease or rental agreement.