These days, you have a wide variety of options to choose from when paying your rent. There are rental payment platforms like apartments.com, general money transfer apps like Venmo, Zelle and Cashapp, and old school methods like sending a check … Read more

Squatter’s rights might sound like a far-flung concept, but unfortunately, for landlords, they do exist. This raises the question: Can you turn off utilities on a squatter? In this article, we’ll discuss answer the question and investigate some of the … Read more

When you first move in to your brand new apartment, the last thing that you expect is that someone recently died there. But it happens more often than you might think and it can be really jarring to find out … Read more

If you live in an apartment and your friends or family members want to swing by for a visit with their dog (or drop them off for a little while), you may be wondering whether your apartment will allow that. … Read more

If you have a legal dispute with someone, whether it is contractual (like a breach of contract) or involves some other legal right, such personal injury, or a violation of intellectual property or privacy, a demand letter can be a … Read more

Many people consider their pets an important part of their family. But owning one can sometimes be challenging when renting a home. Landlords often have specific regulations regarding pets. In some instances, they may demand tenants to get rid of … Read more

Generators are a great way to prepare for emergencies. Whether you’re facing power outages or natural disasters, having a portable power source on hand is always a good idea. However, if you’re living in an apartment, you might be asking, … Read more

If you have a garbage disposal, you know how handy it can be. It breaks up larger food particles into very small pieces, so there is less likelihood of food clogging up your drains. It’s also environmentally friendly because it … Read more

Are you living with a broken window and wondering how long your landlord has to fix it? It’s a legitimate question – after all, a broken window or window lock can pose significant safety and security issues by allowing intruders … Read more

Natural gas is a common energy resource used in most rental and residential properties. Most of the time, this type of gas is unnoticeable and remains safely contained within the pipes and appliances of your apartment. However, it’s possible for … Read more

Plumbing issues can be a real problem for a tenant. They can range from the annoying (a clogged drain), to the serious (a burst pipe or sewage back-up). And because tenants usually use their plumbing daily, these problems can pop … Read more

Roof leaks can be unpleasant, hazardous, and costly for tenants and landlords. Clogged gutters, cracked vents, destructive storms, and normal wear and tear are often the culprit behind these property damages. Regardless of what caused your leak, timely repairs are … Read more

Hunting for a rental can be stressful and expensive, especially if your credit is not up to snuff and you are getting rejected by landlords because of it. The costs can add up because many landlords insist on running credit … Read more

Have you ever heard of carbon monoxide poisoning? It’s a silent killer that can be present in your home without you even realizing it.  Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless and odorless gas that can cause serious harm to your … Read more

Having a clogged drain can be super annoying and pretty gross, especially if the murky water is left standing in your sink or tub. So if you are faced with this situation, it’s natural to ask whether your landlord is … Read more

Imagine you walk into your home and are hit with that unmistakably musty, damp smell of mold. It’s happened to me so I get how distressing it can be, especially if you have kids or an elderly relative living with … Read more

When you’re renting a property, there are usually many policies you must follow. Most of them are set by your landlord and are included in your lease.  With all these rules in place, you might wonder, how much control can … Read more

You’ve found your dream rental and are loving your new place, but after moving in, you discover that you can’t sleep. You start itching and scratching everywhere and it’s driving you crazy. And it slowly starts to dawn on you … Read more

If your washing machine has broken down, it can be a major annoyance which can cost you both time and money (especially if you have to run to your local laundromat to get your clothes washed). So it’s completely understandable … Read more

It’s hard to argue that having working a shower isn’t a critical part of maintaining good personal hygiene, which in turn promotes good overall health. So if your shower is not working properly, you have a legitimate problem that needs … Read more

The state of California houses over 39 million Americans as of 2023. Nearly half of those people are currently living in rental properties. Now if you live in California, you understand that rents in many parts of the state are … Read more

A broken lock in your rental unit poses a significant threat to your safety and the security of your possessions. As such, this situation falls under the category of “emergency repairs,” which require urgent attention from your landlord. The exact … Read more

A non-working toilet can be an extremely frustrating experience. Over even a short period of time this can turn into a serious issue, especially if you don’t have access to another toilet in your home. So it’s a completely legitimate … Read more

Over time, pipes in your rental property can get clogged through the accumulation of hair, soap scum, grease, toilet paper and other items. When this happens, wastewater can’t drain properly and may come up through sinks, shower drains, or toilets. … Read more

If your heating has gone out in the middle of winter, you are probably shivering in your home and wondering how long it’s going to take to fix the issue. Maybe your landlord has promised that he’s working on it, … Read more

Not having a working oven can be a real hassle, especially if you like to have home-cooked meals (or even your standard frozen dinner). So if your landlord is taking his sweet time fixing your busted oven, you may be … Read more

We take for granted how important a refrigerator is to our daily lives until it’s taken away from us. So if your fridge is not working, you have a completely legitimate concern if your landlord is not fixing it promptly. … Read more

Picture this: It’s Saturday, you’re lounging in your garden, sipping on a glorious cocktail, when your landlord suddenly waltzes in, starts up his lawnmower (which roars to life) and proceeds to ruin the rest of your morning. Rattled and upset, … Read more

If your rental has experienced significant water damage, you may be left wondering how long your landlord has to fix that damage. It’s a legitimate question, especially if the damage is so extensive that you are basically living in a … Read more

Hot water is a critical part of modern life. Not only is it essential for personal hygiene, it plays a key role in cleaning and disinfecting household items, clothes, and kitchen utensils, which in turn promotes a healthy living environment. … Read more

Has your AC just gone out in the middle of summer? If yes, you are probably dealing with suffocating heat and nasty humidity. Pretty awful, I know. So you call up your landlord and they say they are not responsible … Read more

If you’re a New Yorker, you’re probably familiar with the sky high rents for even a modest place in the city. It’s the price you pay for living in arguably the world’s most famous (or infamous) metropolis. You get to … Read more

Do you feel like your landlord has discriminated against you because of your age? Even with all of the laws, protections, and social stigma against discrimination in general, age discrimination seems to fly under the radar for many people. It’s … Read more

As a tenant, you just want a home that is comfortable, safe, and clean where you can unwind and find peace from the hectic and sometimes hostile world outside. Unfortunately, sometimes your landlord or other outside factors can disrupt that … Read more

Has your landlord conducted a walkthrough of your home, but not told you about it or indicated that you don’t need to be there? This can be unsettling, especially if you are concerned that they will not properly represent or … Read more

Ok, you’re faced with this nasty clogged drain and can’t seem to fix it. But you’re worried that your landlord may stick with you a big bill if you tell him about it and he sends a plumber to fix … Read more

If your landlord just asked you to change your payment method to something that you do not feel comfortable with (or are just not willing to do), you may be wondering whether such a request is allowed. It’s a legitimate … Read more

What’s more nightmarish than a flooded apartment? With your furniture and personal belongings soaking, and the place uninhabitable in a span of days, it’s no surprise that you’d wonder if you can continue staying there.  You either need assurance that … Read more

If you are looking to break your lease early but are unsure how to proceed, you are in the right place. In this article, I am going to cover 11 ways to end your lease agreement without penalty (and a … Read more

If you are being overrun with mice in your rental home (or at least see pretty clear evidence of mice invading your place) and your landlord doesn’t seem to care, you may be wondering whether you can sue your landlord … Read more

If you are feeling unsafe around someone who is living with you, one of the best legal protections you can get against that person is a restraining order. These are legal orders issued by a judge that prohibit the person … Read more

In this article, I am going to discuss whether you can break your lease if you are going to jail or are otherwise going to be incarcerated for a period of time. I will also cover some practical steps you … Read more

If you’ve received an awesome new job offer in a new city, you’re probably excited at the new opportunity, but you may also be a bit worried if you still have some time left on your lease. It’s a legitimate … Read more

If you are active military and have been ordered to deploy, you may be worried that you may still be on the hook for your lease. It’s an understandable concern. The good news is that you will be able to … Read more

If you are in the middle of a dispute with your landlord (or fear that one is about to happen), you may be wondering whether your landlord has the right to throw out your personal belongings. It’s a legitimate concern, … Read more

Most landlords will require a sizable security deposit to make sure that they protect themselves from loss. After all, there are a lot of bad tenants out there, so it’s understandable that they want to have some money set aside … Read more

If you have been locked out of your house by your landlord and don’t know what to do, or if you are worried that they may do so, you are in the right place. In this article, I am going … Read more

Walk-throughs or inspections of your dwelling are a normal part of the rental experience. But they can become a real nuisance if conducted too often. In this article, I am going to answer the question of how often a landlord … Read more

If you have been given very short notice by your landlord that they do not intend to renew your lease, you may be wondering how much notice is actually required. In this article, I am going to answer that question, … Read more

It’s no secret that rents have been reaching crazy levels. So, this can leave you wondering: how much can my landlord raise my rent? Are there any laws that can protect tenants against rent increases?  The good news is that … Read more

Have you been charged for cleaning expenses when you moved out of your apartment? If you have, you might feel that you were charged unfairly, especially if you left the rental in clean condition. In this article, I am going … Read more

Is your landlord stuck in the past and insisting on getting paid rent with cash or checks? It can be a genuine hassle dealing with someone who prefers old and less efficient forms of payment, but there are ways you … Read more

If you are worried that your landlord will be taking a bunch of pictures of your rental unit (or even videotaping it) during an inspection, you may be wondering whether they have the right to do so. Or they may … Read more

If your landlord has been staying at your house and you are uncomfortable about it, you are justified in asking whether they can do something like that. In this article, I am going to cover whether a landlord is entitled … Read more

Are you worried that your landlord may be snooping around your internet history? It’s a legitimate concern, especially if you are accessing the internet without your own own router and IP address. In this article, I am going to answer … Read more

Has your landlord put up a political sign in your yard which you disagree with and want to know if they have the right to do this? In this article, I am going to answer whether such conduct is permitted … Read more

If you have been asked to bear with the hassle of a painting job while you are living in your rental home, you may be wondering if your landlord has the right to insist on this. It’s a legitimate concern, … Read more

As a tenant, it is completely natural for you to want guests around for family gatherings, birthday parties, movie nights or to simply hang out. But what if your guests concern your landlord, and he wants them out of the … Read more

If your landlord has notified you that they intend to do some serious repairs or renovations to your rental and has asked you to move out temporarily (or even end your lease), you may be asking whether they have the … Read more

If you are worried that your landlord is a snoop or worse, you may be wondering whether your landlord can look inside your closet while they are on premises. In this article, I am going to answer this question, as … Read more

Is your landlord often unavailable? Have you already made a call, sent an email, or a text message to no avail? For some people, renting an apartment might seem more convenient until they meet an unconcerned landlord. Renting can be … Read more

Has you landlord entered into your bedroom (or asked to do so) and made you feel uncomfortable? It can feel like a major violation of privacy, especially if they did so without your knowledge or permission. In this article, I … Read more

If you have been asked by your landlord to sign a new lease, but you are comfortable with the existing one, you may be asking whether your landlord can force you to sign the new lease. In this article, I … Read more

Are you worried that your landlord will be charging you a big bill because he has to replace the carpet after you move out? It’s a legitimate concern, especially if the carpet is showing serious signs of age or has … Read more

Navigating rentals is already a challenge, but more so when your landlord questions your need for an emotional support pet in the apartment. They may even want to talk to your therapist, which gets you thinking, “Can my landlord call … Read more

The sight of a roach inside the home brings a feeling of dread to renters and homeowners alike. For renters, however, that pit in the stomach may be followed shortly by an equally dreadful question: “wait, can my landlord blame … Read more

Mold growth can cause a variety of problems. It can cause structural damage to buildings, as well as health problems to people who are exposed to it, from respiratory problems to allergic reactions and even infections.  So, when you find … Read more

In this article, I am going to cover whether a landlord can ask you to prepay rent. In order to answer this question fully and in the most helpful way possible, I am going to discuss the following: Let’s get … Read more

If you have recently been notified that your landlord does not intend to renew your lease and are wondering if that is something they can do, you are in the right place. In this article, I am going to answer … Read more

Rent increases are pretty common these days. It’s almost like clockwork. As the end of your lease term approaches, many landlords will send out that dreaded notice of rental increase. But if you get one in the middle of your … Read more

Have you been charged by your landlord for having a dirty oven and had money take out of your security deposit? Or are you worried that they might? It’s a fairly common occurrence, so you are not alone. In this … Read more

Getting your car broken into (or even worse, stolen) can make you feel traumatized and unsafe. And if it happens more than once in your neighborhood, it can definitely make you want to move to an area with less crime. … Read more

After a break in, it’s natural to feel traumatized and violated. If you no longer feel safe in your own home and want to explore whether you can break your lease after this type of intrusion, you are in the … Read more

If you find yourself living with a violent roommate and want to know if you can break your lease early, you are in the right place. As you well know, this of type of situation can be extremely dangerous and … Read more

A leaky roof is annoying at best and can be unsafe at worst. So if you are dealing with a landlord who is not repairing a leaky roof, you should be aware of whether you can terminate your lease or … Read more

If you are pregnant and wondering if you can break your lease early, you are in the right place. In this article, I am going to cover whether it is possible to terminate your lease due to pregnancy and some … Read more

If you are unhappy with your current rental arrangement or your life circumstances have changed, you may be looking to break your lease early. But as you may have discovered, breaking a lease is not as easy as it seems. … Read more

If your landlord is selling your dwelling and you want to break your lease, you’ve come to the right article. Landlords sell for a variety of reasons – they may be moving and may no longer want to manage the … Read more

If your neighbor is harassing you and you’re wondering whether you can break your lease early, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I’ll discuss whether breaking lease due to neighbor harassment is legal and offer some advice … Read more

If you have become physically or mentally disabled and are wondering whether you can get out of your lease due to your medical condition, you are in the right place. In this article, I will be looking at whether you … Read more

No one wants to walk into their new home, and it is a mess. When you enter your new home, you expect it to be as clean as it can possibly be. But sometimes that is not the case. If … Read more

If you are wondering if your landlord can force you keep your dwelling at a certain level of cleanliness, you are in the right place. In this article, I am going to cover whether a landlord can tell you how … Read more

So, you want to get that big screen TV, but don’t want to just plop it down on a TV stand. After all, it will look so much better hanging in the perfect place on your wall. But you don’t … Read more

When it comes to renting, it’s important to understand what your rights are, but also what you are obliged to do if your circumstances change. One of the most important aspects of renting is having a clear understanding of the … Read more

If you are wondering whether you can break a lease if you signed it with a roommate and that person leaves the dwelling, you are in the right place. In this article, I am going to cover whether you can … Read more

If you are breaking up with your romantic partner who lives with you and wondering if you can get out of your lease early, you are in the right place. In this article, I am going to cover whether you … Read more

If you are getting a divorce and wondering if you can get out of your lease early, you are in the right place. In this article, I am going to cover whether you can break your lease if you are … Read more

If you are getting married (congratulations!) and wondering if you can get out of your lease early, you are in the right place. In this article, I am going to cover whether you can break your lease early if you … Read more

If you are facing financial hardship and are wondering whether you can get out of your lease, you are in the right place. In this article, I will be discussing whether you can break your lease if you can no … Read more

If you’re dealing with mental health issues and are wondering whether you can get out of your lease due to them, you are in the right place. In this article, I will be looking at whether you can break your … Read more

If you lost your job and are wondering whether you can get out of your lease, you are in the right place. In this article, I will be discussing whether you can break your lease in the event of a … Read more

If you are a renter who has found mold in your residence and want to terminate your lease because of it, you are in the right place. In this article, I’m going to discuss whether you can terminate your lease … Read more

If you’re a renter who wants to terminate your lease because of a roach infestation, you’re in the right place. In this article, I’m going to discuss whether you can terminate a lease due to roaches, and the steps you … Read more

If you are a tenant who has mold in your dwelling or a landlord who has been alerted that there is mold in one of your units, you may be asking what is required in terms of relocation while the … Read more

Landlords are required to provide a safe and livable dwelling for their tenants. This means they must make critical repairs and keep the property in a habitable condition. What happens if the landlord doesn’t fix things? Can you break your … Read more

Noise is one of the most common complaints that tenants have. If you are dealing with excessive noise from your neighbors or any other source, you may be at your breaking point and wondering if you can break your lease. … Read more

If you just signed a lease and want to get out of it, but are not sure if you can, then you are in the right place. In this article, we are going to discuss whether you can back out … Read more

Feeling unsafe in your own home is awful. Your home is supposed to be your haven and a place where you can relax and enjoy some peace with your friends, family and loved ones. When a dangerous situation disrupts that … Read more

If you are a tenant who wants to terminate your lease because mice have taken over your place, you are in the right place. In this article, we are going to discuss whether it is possible to terminate a lease … Read more