When do you need to Know Your Rights as a tenant?

Tenants (also referred to as “renters”) need to know their rights when entering into a rental agreement. This area of law is essential to renting an apartment or house. You need to understand the landlord-tenant laws in your state to know your rights.

When to hire a lawyer to protect your rights as a tenant?

Lawyers are expensive, but there are times when hiring one might be necessary to protect your rights as a renter. Many issues tenants face are minor and can be easily resolved by common sense and checking reputable resources on landlord-tenant law, such as a local tenants’ rights group.

How to find a landlord / tenant lawyer in Massachusetts?

A landlord/tenant attorney in Massachusetts can help you analyze your situation, determine what your rights are, and make a well-informed decision about how to protect your interests. We’ve created a list of trusted landlord/tenant attorneys to help you find a lawyer who is the best fit for your situation.

Can a landlord refuse to rent to a prospective tenant?

Both prospective and current renters are protected against discrimination by federal law. These rules are called anti-discrimination laws. Your state may have additional rules in place. Landlords will face serious legal issues if they refuse to rent to you based on:

Do you need a lawyer if you are a tenant?

Some issues, however, are not easily resolved and can seriously threaten your enjoyment of your rental—or worse, your ability to stay in the rental at all. In these situations, getting a lawyer’s help might be the most effective, albeit costly, way to protect your rights. Below is a guide to determining whether you need a tenant lawyer or not.

Do you have to tell your landlord about a problem?

Tenants have different options when it comes to minor repairs. (2) The tenant must tell the landlord about the problem and give the landlord a minimum amount of time (this is often set by state law) to fix it. (3) The tenant must not have caused the problem (either deliberately or through carelessness or neglect).

Can a tenant pay to a court instead of the landlord?

“Rent deposit” or “rent escrow” means a tenant can pay rent to a court, instead of the landlord. The tenant must be very careful to follow certain rules when paying rent to a court.

What are the rights of a landlord as a tenant?

Peace and Quiet. Your rights as a tenant include the right to “quiet enjoyment,” a legal term. This means your landlord cannot evict you without cause or otherwise disturb your right to live in peace and quiet. If other tenants in your building are disturbing you, you should complain to the landlord.