How can landlords and tenants avoid disputes?
Whether your disagreement is over a rent increase, responsibility for repairs, or the return of a security deposit, rarely should lawyers and litigation be the first choice for resolving a landlord-tenant dispute. Both landlords and tenants should follow these tips to avoid legal problems: • Know your rights and responsibilities under federal, state, and local law. • Make sure the terms of your lease or rental agreement are clear. • Keep communication open. If there’s a problem — for example, a disagreement about the landlord’s right to enter a tenant’s apartment — see if you can resolve the issue by talking it over or using a local dispute resolution service. • Keep copies of any correspondence and make notes of conversations about any problems. For example, tenants should ask for repairs in writing and keep a copy of the letter. The landlord should keep a copy of the repair request and note when and how the problem was repaired.
