LESSON
3
Identify pertinent information
READING
GET READY
Lena is having trouble with the plumbing at her apartment. It’s her landlord’s job to fix it.
If there are problems at the place where you live, who is responsible for fixing them?
READ
Listen and read the article. Which rights did you know already?
Which are new to you?
Adamo moved out of his apartment nine
months before his lease expired. “I had no
choice,” he said, “I was starting a new job in
another part of the city.” He paid rent on two
apartments for nine months. His former
landlord didn’t advertise that his old apartment
was available. In fact, he didn’t seem to do
anything. Adamo said, “He made no effort to
try to find a new tenant to replace me.” Adamo
paid more than he should have. If he had
known the rights he has as a renter, he could
have saved over $10,000 dollars. “It was an
expensive mistake,” he said.
Many renters aren’t aware that they have rights.
Some rights prevent landlords from taking
advantage of a situation. Other rights ensure an
apartment is in good condition. It’s a good idea
to be familiar with the renter’s rights. Some of
the most common are listed here.
Right 1:
Many states require landlords to
search for a new tenant so they don’t have to
charge the renter the remaining months left on
their lease. When a new renter is found, the
one who moved is only responsible for the
months that the apartment or house is empty.
Right 2:
Rental property must be habitable,
which means it needs to be safe, clean,
and in good living condition. Apartments,
for example, must have utilities, such as heat,
water, and electricity. Everything must be in
working condition and built well.
Right 3:
Renters have the right to have
maintenance and repairs made quickly by the
landlord. If the landlord can’t, then there
should be a special clause in the lease that
allows renters to have repairs made on their
own. They don’t have to pay on their own,
though. The cost of repairs can be deducted
from the rent that month.
Right 4:
In most states, landlords are only
allowed to enter for emergencies or for repairs.
No one else is allowed to enter for any reason.
Additionally, landlords cannot enter your
propery for repairs without 24 hours’ notice.
Right 5:
Renters can’t lose their security
deposit for items that are “normal wear and
tear.” For example, carpet gets worn and dusty
from “normal” use, such as walking or from
furniture being placed on it. Those are not
reasons to not return your security deposit.
In some states, landlords are required to
provide a detailed list of what is being
deducted from the deposit.
Before signing a lease, go over your rights as a
renter with your potential landlord. Don’t
make the same mistake Adamo made.
106
UNIT 8
