Renters have legal rights as well as obligationsIf you are renting an apartment, house or mobile home, you should know your rights and obligations as a tenant.In general, a tenant has the right to a safe, livable home, to have the landlord make necessary repairs and to live in the home without interference by the landlord. Also, a tenant cannot be discriminated against because of race, sex, religion or a physical or mental handicap. Before renting a property, the tenant hopefully will have visited the place, noting its condition and reporting any need for painting, cleaning and repairing. By putting the conditions in writing, the tenant will have proof that he or she did not cause the damage. The landlord is not obligated to repair the damage reported unless it violates health or building codes. Most tenants will be required to sign a lease, and they should make sure they understand all the terms before signing it. It is advisable to have a lawyer review the lease before signing it. The lease will clarify who pays for what, whether pets and children are allowed, and the like. A tenant is obligated to pay rent on time, take reasonable care of the rental property and pay for any damage incurred by the tenant, including the tenant’s family or guests. If your landlord has agreed to pay for such services as gas, electricity, water or garbage collection, and the landlord failed to make those payments, you may be faced with a choice of termination of the service or paying the bill yourself. A tenant who pays for the services that are specified as the responsibility of the landlord may ask the landlord for reimbursement. Should the landlord refuse to pay, the tenant has the legal right to deduct the payments made from the rent. Only the actual amount paid for those services may be deducted, however. For a tenant who is planning to move, the rent should be paid in compliance with the lease or rental agreements, and proper notice should be given to the landlord according to the terms of the lease. Tenants have the legal right to remove all of their possessions, including any fixtures that have been installed such as a ceiling fan or light fixture – if they can do so without altering the facility or making a structural change. For further information about law-related issues, contact an Illinois State Bar Association-member lawyer in your area or visit www.IllinoisLawyerFinder.com.
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