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Is it next to impossible to get the rent out of your roommate each month? Or is your landlord forgetting about the clogged drain he said he'd repair weeks ago? Then it's time to assert your renters' rights! Aimed at everyone from the new renter on the block to more seasoned tenants who just want to know the basics, this new Legal Basics book is packed with the critical legal and practical information that every renter needs. Written in plain English, the book covers important concerns like: -leases and rental agreements -discrimination -rent -security deposits -privacy -roommates -repairs and maintenance and much more Co-authored by two experts in tenants' rights, this book is as indispensable as a friend with a pickup truck and a free weekend. The 4th edition is completely updated and revised to reflect the latest landlord-tenant laws of your state.

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Janet Portman

David Brown

Janet Portman

Marcia Stewart

Play the Landlord's Game and Win Introduction Looking for a place? No problem -- with money, great references, no pets, not too many roommates -- it's a breeze!" If your reaction to this line is "Unfortunately, that doesn't describe me," read on. You don't have to be wealthy or squeaky clean to get the rental you want -- just savvy. The good news. Thanks to federal and state anti-discrimination laws, landlords are limited in what they can say and do when selecting tenants. Basically, unless a landlord has a legitimate business reason for turning you down, she risks running afoul of these laws, which can spell big legal trouble for her. Because anti-discrimination laws are so important, we devote a whole chapter to them -- Chapter 5. The sobering news. Aside from complying with anti-discrimination laws, landlords have a lot of leeway in choosing tenants. Landlords are legally free to chose whomever they think will be the best, most stable tenant -- ideally, someone who pays the rent on time and won't cause any problems. Since landlords can choose tenants based on their likelihood of being "maintenance-free," applicants with a shadow or two in their past (a bad reference, a few late rent payments) or a shaky present (low income relative to the monthly rent) need to know how to anticipate -- and head off -- the landlord's hesitations before they solidify into a "No." And if you live in a tight rental market -- like New York City or San Francisco -- you'll need to be fast, persistent and street-smart to score a reasonably priced rental. This chapter alerts you to the main factors landlords consider when choosing tenants, such as credit reports and references, and gives advice on how to improve your chances of getting a place you like -- and can afford. TENANT TRAPS Read this chapter to find out why you should: Never rent from a landlord who asks non-business-related questions or subjects you to an inquisitory grilling. These are red flags that indicate that the landlord does not understand -- or chooses not to follow -- the law. Never pay more for a credit check than a reasonable approximation of the landlord's actual costs. A landlord who gouges you on this one will do the same on another occasion. Never let a prospective landlord see your credit report before you do. If the report is inaccurate, you need to take immediate steps to fix it. If the report is correct but damaging, you should prepare your explanations and defenses in advance. Never lie on the rental application. It's the kiss of death. Never rent a place that you have serious misgivings about -- whether it's the landlord, the neighbors, the neighborhood or the unit itself. It may be harder than you think to get out. A. Legal and Illegal Reasons for Turning You Down A landlord is legally free to set whatever conditions he wants for a tenancy as long as they are reasonably related to his business needs and don't violate anti-discrimination laws. The Federal Fair Housing Acts (42 U.S. Code 3601-3619) prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, familial status (having children) and physical or mental disability (including alcoholism and past drug addiction). In addition, many states and cities also prohibit discrimination based on marital status or sexual orientation. Chapter 5 discusses illegal discrimination and how to file a complaint with a fair housing agency.

 

Is it next to impossible to get the rent out of your roommate each month? Or is your landlord forgetting about the clogged drain he said he'd repair weeks ago? Then it's time to assert your renters' rights!

Introduction 1. Play the Landlord's Game and Win 2. Leases and Rental Agreements 3. Rent Rules 4. Security Deposits 5. Discrimination 6. Roommates 7. Repairs and Maintenance 8. Tenants' Rights to Privacy 9. How Tenancies Change and End 10. Getting Your Deposit Back 11. Landlord Retaliation 12. Rent Control 13. Getting Help With Your Dispute Appendix 1 How to Find Landlord-Tenant Laws Online Appendix 2 State Laws

This new book is another in [Nolo's] series that makes learning about legal topics interesting and almost fun. Well written, well researched and practical describe this thorough rental-law guide book. On my scale of one to 10, this outstanding book rates an off-the-chart 12.

 

If landlords nationwide were to recommend [this] book to renters, I'd bet only half of today's landlord/tenant problems would exist in the future.

 

This lively, practical and occasionally humorous new book... is another in the Nolo Press series that makes learning about legal topics interesting and almost fun.

 

Ms. Portman is the Managing Editor at Nolo. She specializes in legal issues related to courts, landlords and tenants, and neighbor disputes. She is the co-author of Every Landlord's Legal Guide, Every Tenant's Legal Guide, Renters' Rights, Negotiate the Best Lease for Your Business, Leases & Rental Agreements, The California Landlord's Law Book: Rights and Responsibilities, and California Tenants' Rights. Ms. Portman received undergraduate and graduate degrees from Stanford University and a law degree from Santa Clara University. Before joining Nolo in 1994, she practiced law as a public defender.