When you’re looking for a new home, you might come across a place you love that is part of a Homeowner Association (HOA). Maybe it features impressive amenities, like a fitness center or a pool. You know you can afford the mortgage, but don’t forget, if you buy the property, you have to pay HOA fees, too.

When you receive a letter from your landlord certified mail you may automatically think the worst. Certified mail can mean the start of the eviction process, sure. However, there are a variety of reasons a landlord may want to use this USPS service to send you information.

Garbage is a part of life. Even the most environmentally-conscious individuals produce garbage! It’s how one disposes of their garbage that’s important.

Buying a new home is a big deal and an even bigger investment. If you are in the process of, or if you have recently purchased a new home, you are well aware. You were probably quite surprised at all that was involved too. Who would have guessed there were so many moving parts (pun intended) involved in buying a new home?

Moving in together is an exciting opportunity to take your relationship to the next level. You get to spend more time together and learn about each other. You certainly don’t want anything to cause unnecessary issues, especially not issues with your landlord. But you aren’t sure how to ask your landlord if your boyfriend can move in.

Having a washer and drier in your rental unit can be a real game changer. When you are busy or have a large family, taking your clothes to the laundromat can feel like a full-time job. It may be very shocking and frustrating when your landlord asks you to remove your washer and drier or face eviction. In addition to the shock, you may wonder if your landlord could evict you for having a washing machine in the first place.

No one loves to pay rent. Often many of life’s stresses stem from a monthly rent payment. When you gather the money and finally get the payment to your landlord out on time you may feel a rush of relief. That relief may be short-lived, however, once you see that your landlord has refused to accept your rent payment.

As someone who has over 100 posters in their apartment, I understand the need to nail up a new painting to a wall. However, landlords don’t like seeing their walls look like Swiss cheese. That’s why most landlords have a policy of charging for nail holes or fining tenants for excessive holes. Ever wonder what those fees can be?

Most tenants are required to put the water bill in their name and pay it on a regular basis. But what if the water bill you received was astronomical, even though you haven’t been using more water than usual? Could it be because of a leak, and are you required to pay, even if it was beyond your control?

You’re enjoying a beautiful morning with a lovely cup of coffee when you realize that something seems amiss. You look outside and see that your car has been smashed by a fallen tree branch. Because you live in a rental property, you may wonder if your landlord is responsible for tree damage to your car.

When you first rented your apartment, things went swimmingly. Then, the toilet started running. First it was a little dribble. It never seemed to stop. You called the landlord and nothing happened for a while. Then, your landlord got your water bill. It’s sky high. Does this sound like your scenario? It may be time to know who’s to blame.

Many tenants prefer to rent a property that comes with a washer and dryer. It’s always more convenient to do laundry in the comfort of your own home than to go to a laundromat. But what happens if your landlord takes away the washer and dryer; are they allowed to remove these appliances?

Moving in with your significant other is a big step. This step is even more monumental when you are married to this person. When you and your spouse move in together there is much to consider. Before you start unpacking and popping open the champagne, however, consider you may need to speak to your landlord first.

Staying on top of your rent is an important and often difficult responsibility. Being an adult can be hard and expensive. It will come as quite a frustrating shock then, if your landlord reaches out saying you have not paid your rent but you see the rent check has been cashed.

Coming home to find a notice on your door that you have 30 or 60 days to vacate is terrifying. The situation is even worse when you find out that your landlord is selling the property. So many questions go through your mind, and you suddenly feel like you’re about to be homeless. Can a landlord really break a lease to sell the property?

Moving in to a new place is very exciting. It is an opportunity to decorate a new space and reorganize your life. Once you pass the application process and get the keys to your new place you may think you have everything you need. 

There will always be questions concerning the responsibility of various repairs and obligations regarding the tenant-landlord relationship. In many situations, where those obligations and responsibilities lie is clearly defined by tenant-landlord law.

In my years as a young adult, I have seen some situations where renters proved to be serious pigs. As someone who is kind of a neat freak, it makes sense to me that a landlord should require a professional cleaning once a year. I’ve even seen this in rental agreements. But, is asking you to get professional cleaning legal?

Freezers are useful appliances that have been around for a long time, and you can find freezers in most homes and a lot of businesses. One can use a freezer to preserve leftovers and keep perishable foods frozen, and some freezers are so small that they can be integrated into refrigerators.

The rental market is beyond difficult right now. There are very few properties available, and rental prices are skyrocketing. As a renter, you need to act quickly when you find a rental that you can afford. One thing that throws a wrench in the process is a previous landlord who doesn’t respond to a reference request.

In the tenant-landlord relationship, each party has certain obligations. Aside from the obvious expectations, many other questions may arise. These questions can concern everything from who is responsible for what repairs to what fixtures and items tenants should expect landlords to provide. Is the landlord required to provide blinds is a common inquiry from many tenants and first-time renters.

Being evicted for calling the police may sound unlikely, but unfortunately, it’s something that happens somewhat frequently. You might wonder whether these evictions can only happen if the police are called without a legitimate reason. In reality, it depends on your local laws and whether a nuisance ordinance is in place.

If you feel that your landlord is overstepping his boundaries, it will be helpful to know what exactly a landlord cannot do. There are, in fact, a surprising number of things that a landlord cannot do. While some of these things seem like they should be common knowledge, others may be more surprising.

Utility bills are a fact of life for most adults. They vary in price and frequency but it can sometimes feel like bills roll in nonstop. It may come as a shock then, when your landlord does not send you any utility bills. 

Apartment living can be extraordinary! Sometimes, it comes with many amenities, including a gym, pool, cabana, movie theater, and many more activities you can enjoy for the cost of your rent. However, because you are renting from someone else, you might have some concerns about the landlord and when they’re allowed to enter your residence. Can they show up without notice?

Between landlords and tenants, who needs to complete maintenance and cleaning tasks is a bit of a gray area. In general, tenants are responsible for cleaning up after themselves and keeping up with minor maintenance tasks. But is dryer vent cleaning something they need to take care of, or is that the landlord’s responsibility?

Problems with your apartment can be a headache when you are renting. There are often several steps and phone calls you need to make to get simple repairs taken care of. You may even find yourself in a situation where your landlord does not respond or refuses to fix things in your rental unit. It is important to know your rights as a tenant so you can address your concerns effectively.

You come home after a hard day only to find some strange device hanging on your door. After a few minutes, you realize that it’s a lock box. Can your landlord put a lock box on your door for showings?

Having someone spy on you is not only creepy, but it also interferes with the quiet enjoyment of your home. Spying is an invasion of your privacy, and you do have rights, even if that person happens to be your landlord.

Dog doors don’t dramatically affect home value. However, a dog door can decrease home value if the house is already inexpensive and has other red flags. If someone can already afford an expensive home, they won’t likely mind the cost of covering up a dog door.

It can be challenging to figure out what rights landlords and tenants have when it comes to spare keys. For some renters, it can be disconcerting to think that their landlord could potentially enter their home at any time. So is it legal and acceptable for a landlord to have a spare key to their rental property?

You’re renting. So, that means your landlord is in charge of what happens to the house. But can a landlord paint while you occupy the space? The answer might surprise you.

Being a landlord is not an easy thing, especially when it comes to all the tools and junk that is required to keep a home running. Even if you’re a fan of apps like Clutter, the truth is that it’s often more convenient to store tools and stuff on-site. But, is this actually legal to do on a rental property?

When your landlord informs you he or she will be getting an appraisal you rent there are many ways to feel. You may be nervous that your landlord is selling the home you live in. Next you may wonder if one or more strangers will be entering your home, and if you have to let them in. 

Painting your apartment can instantly freshen the space. But you have to be careful not to break your rental lease. In some cases, a landlord will let you paint. In other cases, they won’t. So, can you paint apartment walls or not?

The Internet has become an essential tool in modern society. Wifi is available in even the most remote locations. Our phones are usually able to access the internet when wifi cannot. Landlords are now including the internet in rental agreements more than ever. It may confuse you then, if you find your landlord decides to turn off your internet one day.

It is growing harder to find places to smoke as it becomes less socially acceptable. It is common for landlords to prohibit smoking in a rental unit. In fact, many new apartment buildings are completely smoke-free. 

Nobody wants roaches in their home. But getting rid of them can be a challenge. So, who’s responsible for a roach infestation? And can you sue your landlord if they don’t fix the problem? Here’s what you need to know.

Selling or buying a new home can be exciting! It’s the start of a new chapter in your family’s life. However, it can be stressful, especially when it’s unclear which party is responsible for what. For example, when it comes to paying for a roof replacement, who is responsible to pay for it?

Your home is your sanctuary. If you have a yard then its natural beauty may be the pinnacle of your sanctuary. When you see strangers on your lawn this may cause alarm and confusion.  If your landlord comes into your yard without notice, you may feel similar feelings. Worse, you might even feel like you are being spied on by your landlord. You may also wonder if your landlord has the right to just show up on your property without your permission.

Is there anything worse than discovering cockroaches in the property you’ve just moved into? If this is the situation you’re currently experiencing, you may be wondering what your best course of action is. You’re probably also curious about whether your landlord was obligated to tell you about the roaches before you signed the lease.