Finding a place to rent -- Leases and rental agreements -- Basic rent rules -- Security deposits -- Discrimination -- Inspecting the rental unit and moving in -- Roommates, guests, and Airbnb -- Major repairs and maintenance -- Minor repairs and maintenance -- Making improvements and alterations -- Your right to privacy -- Injuries on the premises -- Environmental hazards -- Crime on the premises -- How tenancies end or change -- Moving out and getting your security deposit back -- Termination notices based on nonpayment of rent and other illegal acts -- Evictions -- Resolving problems without a lawyer -- Lawyers and legal research.
Summary:
This guidebook contains legal and practical information for tenants, and contains dozens of sample letters and forms. Topics discussed include: getting landlords to make repairs by using rent withholding or repair-and-deduct; avoiding disputes with roommates over rent, deposits, guests, and noise; fighting illegal discrimination, retaliation, or sexual harassment; dealing with hazards like lead paint, mold, or bedbugs; breaking a lease with minimum liability; and getting a security deposit returned on time. This book includes the latest state-by-state laws including security deposit rules and termination notice requirements. This book also includes expanded sections on tenant rights regarding sublets (including through Airbnb-type services), using marijuana in the rental, and using social media to find rentals-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.