The apartment industry is full of all types of landlords. Most, of course, are simply in the business to make a modest living, while also providing a very necessary service to people who cannot afford a home. Through rentable housing, they make it possible for Americans everywhere to move closer to their dream jobs, to become independent (in the case of many young people), or to financially get back on their feet after a crisis.
However, if you’re a tenant, living in an apartment space inherently puts you at risk of abuse by your landlord. After all, you need a space to live; this is nonnegotiable. Certain unscrupulous landlords can see the apartment business as solely a way to take advantage of tenants and make money due to the universal need for shelter.
Though it can seem in the above situation that you, as a tenant, have little power, you do have legal rights. No matter what kind of landlord you find yourself under, it pays to know where you stand in the eyes of the law, should you ever need to seek its protection. JD Haas, a company of landlord tenant lawyers and real estate attorneys, explains the basics below.
Know Your Tenant Rights
If you ever find yourself locked in dispute with your landlord, it’s normal to feel panicked, despairing, and terrified of eviction. However, try to remember that all tenants have legal rights that landlords must respect. These include:
● State-specific laws. Did you know that in Minnesota, there exists a statute that restricts a landlord’s ability to enter a tenant’s unit? Breaking of this law can result in a civil penalty. States have individualized laws that govern the relationship between landlord and tenant. If you feel you’ve been wronged, the best way to learn about any applicable laws is to contact a civil litigation lawyer.
● The Fair Housing Act. This federal law, enacted in 1968, forbids housing providers (including landlords) from discriminating against certain protected classes. In other words, your landlord cannot make housing unavailable to you due to your being, say, of a certain race.
● The Fair Credit Reporting Act. This broad federal law, in part, regulates the way that landlords can use tenants’ consumer reports to deny those tenants housing (among other things). It’s a nuanced, complicated piece of writing; the best way to see if your case might fall under it is to get ahold of a reputable civil lawyer.
Need Legal Assistance? JD Haas is Here to Help
We’re a Minneapolis group of law professionals, comprised of everything from business lawyers to foreclosure lawyers. We’d be happy to help you with any of your legal needs. Give us a call today at 952-345-1025.