Landlords & Tenants

Learn about legal aid and pro bono representation, the difference between them, and how to find these types of free legal help.

When landlords offer a property as a rental, they make a promise (whether they know it or not) to maintain the property in a habitable condition during the tenancy.

State rules on when and how landlords may enter tenant rental units.

Here's what California landlords (and tenants) need to know about mold and the law.

It's to landlords' advantage tax-wise to categorize their rental activities as a business, not an investment.

Understand the IRS rules on improvements including unit of property, betterments versus adaptions, and building systems.

Protect yourself from liability from tenant injuries.

A landlord or property manager cannot physically evict a tenant unless the landlord has first given the tenant a termination notice and has received an order of possession from the court.

Rules landlords must follow to terminate a tenancy for nonpayment of rent.

Landlords are subject to penalties if they change the locks or shut off utilities to get a tenant out of rental property.

Learn how long a landlord has to give a tenant to pay rent before the landlord can file an eviction lawsuit.

Learn the basic rules about how a landlord must handle property abandoned by a tenant.

What do you do about unpaid rent when the tenant moves out?

This is the chart you need if you're trying to find your state's landlord-tenant laws.

State rules on when and how landlords may enter tenant rental units.

State rules on when a landlord can order a tenant to move out on short notice.

Private credit reporting agencies collect and sell credit files and other information about consumers.

Antidiscrimination laws limit the tenants you can accept and reject.

Check tenants' credit and avoid legal trouble over discrimination.

Before you place an ad online or advertise a vacancy, it is crucial that you understand fair housing laws and what you can say and do when selecting tenants.

Learn federal fair housing law exemptions for different types of rental properties.

Learn about landlords' legal responsibility to accept tenants with Section 8 vouchers.

A state-by-state breakdown of each state's security deposit limits.

Landlords can't deduct the costs of repairing "ordinary wear and tear" from a security deposit. But what qualifies as ordinary wear and tear?

State deadlines for itemizing and returning tenants' security deposits.

Landlords who don't make the disclosures required by federal, state, and local laws might be subject to fines, lawsuits, and other penalties.

What landlords should include in every lease and rental agreement.

Landlords can set a limit to the number of people who can live in your rental—as long as you comply with all relevant housing laws.

A pet agreement can reduce a landlord's risks in a pet-friendly building. Here's what to include in the agreement.

California landlords must make "reasonable accommodations" when an individual with a disability needs an assistance animal, including an ESA.

Read about real-life examples of landlord liability for tenants' dogs.