Published July 21, 2023. With the economy as it is right now, a lot of people are surviving on unemployment benefits.

Yes, you read it right. An awful lot of people in the US are, right now, just waiting for their eviction notice.

If you are currently facing eviction, here’s what you can do: Access to adequate housing is a fundamental human right.

The details vary, but in general, it’s illegal for your landlord to kick you out of your home without going through the entire eviction process. Besides, only the sheriff can enforce the eviction, but only after the eviction notice has passed.

You also have the right to legal counsel if the eviction case has already started. You have the right to appear in court to defend your case too.

Most of the time, tenants don’t realize they have all these rights. So make sure to research your state’s housing laws and know your rights before giving the keys back to your landlord.

But it doesn’t happen overnight. You, yourself, may have been aware of it for some time, especially if you are being evicted for not paying rent.

That should give you ample time to put a stop to it. There are various ways to prevent an eviction from being carried out.

Some states, like Massachusetts, give tenants up to 6 months grace period to move out of their homes. While disabled tenants and those aged 60 and above may ask to postpone the eviction for up to 12 months.

The grace period, however, varies per state. So it’s a good idea to appeal your case right after you learn of the court’s decision.

Some states will give you this for free. But in most cases, you have to pay for it yourself.

But there are plenty of tenant organizations and legal aid societies you can ask for help. You can look for one in your area and tell them about your circumstances.

You can also ask for help from your church or community. Some churches even do fundraising events to help their members gather enough money for rent.

If you have a job, you can try applying for payday loans. Some places are also offering loans online.

This especially works if you’re expecting or have just started a job and just need some cash to keep you afloat until the next payday. Aside from loans, selling your stuff is another way of raising that much-needed rent money.

If that’s not enough, you can also sell your car.

If your lease is about to expire and you don’t have a place to move, the situation may seem overwhelming and overwhelming. With some pre-planning and planning, you’ll be able to overcome this issue and locate the perfect new home.

It’s not unusual to see renters experience an increase in their rent when their lease expires, especially in areas with high rents with a shortage of rental homes. It’s also not unusual for tenants to receive information that their lease is about to expire and that their landlord wants to make the rent more — as a result, they could have to leave and seek out new housing arrangements.

However g, generally, the law will stipulate that your landlord must provide you with thirty days’ notification of any rent increase. In several states, it is possible to contest an increase in rent if you feel it’s unreasonable based on the rights guaranteed by state law.

One of the most effective ways to deal with a rent increase is to bargain without a landlord. You should ask for an amount that is reasonable for the market and does not put you in a better situation financially.

Be calm, and don’t become angry or defensive. A different option would be to speak to your landlord regarding increasing your rent gradually over several months.

As I mentioned before s, some landlords are trying to raise the rent of their tenants to make them more competitive with the rent they can get from the market. Brick has learned that many tenants are forced to pay for a significant rise, often 30 % or more.

Then increase could be either an increment in the rent base or a rent supplement. Certain landlords might also increase the rent you pay for maintenance expenses they may impose on you.

This could be due to a natural catastrophe or terrorist attack, as well as other emergencies that could affect housing availability.

You might not be happy with the decision of your landlord to increase your rent or alter the rules for yard maintenance, for instance. But, it is important to be vigilant and adhere to the lease rules.

This is an excellent opportunity to speak with an attorney to ensure you know all the details before signing any contract. The landlord and tenant may reach an agreement on a new lease after an existing lease is due to expire.

The reason for these changes could be various reasons, such as a shortage of parking spaces or an absence of facilities such as an outdoor pool or clubhouse. If the landlord is attempting to implement an amendment to the lease without your permission and your consent, it could be illegal.

For example, the landlord may add pet fees with an appendix that the parties sign. In some instances, landlords can charge fees for introducing an additional service, like security deposits.

If a landlord is planning to increase rent for the tenant, they have to provide a notice for 15 days stating to inform the tenant of this intention. This allows the tenant to talk to the landlord to decide whether to rent or relocate elsewhere.

It is essential to understand the laws that govern leases, so you are not liable to have major issues arise at some point shortly. After a lease has expired and tenants are left with three choices: to leave, remain in the rent-paying position in a month-to-month arrangement, or take out a new lease.

Most of the time, tenants pay rent, and the lease is carried out to be renewed monthly until the landlord can decide to end the lease. The tenant is still required to shovel their driveway (and is responsible for the cost), and when they decide to move out, they have to provide the landlord with a 30-day notice to terminate the lease.

It is a contract that both parties agree to sign, which sets out the terms of the lease. For example, if the tenant and landlord agree that they will cease providing basic cable in their lease, they can make an addendum that states that landlords will no longer supply or cover the cost of the cable.

The tenant must also provide the landlord with an official written notice of termination, stating that they have provided the correct notice and are getting out. It can be handed over to the landlord or sent with a certified letter.

This allows the tenant to search for a new rental property and also gives the landlord opportunity to consider whether or not to extend the lease. Tenants and landlords must have their lease amendments in written form to be sure they are legal.

This will avoid any future conflicts or issues incurred if both parties can prove that they conformed to the lease when they signed it.

For leases longer than three years, the renter must give 120 days’ notice before moving out. You are not required to vacate the property just because the lease’s terms have expired.

Unless your landlord gives you a notice, there is nothing you need to do.

Getting a notice from your landlord that your rent is increasing would ruin anyone’s day. Unfortunately, this stress-inducing reality has been happening across the country as reports of rental rates hitting an all-time high have been making headlines regularly.

After the initial shocks wear off (and the superlatives subside) it’s time to start thinking about your options for dealing with a rent increase. Keep reading to find out what you can do when your landlord raises the rent.

Like most industries, the rental market responds to economic trends creating conditions for owners to ask more or less for rent depending on their region. It turns out, that most landlords do not regularly raise their rent to match the cost of owning and maintaining a property.

Suddenly, after 5 years of affordable rent, you might see a sudden 10-25% increase. For a lot of renters, a 25% increase could price them out of their current rental property.

A $30 increase each year is a lot easier to stomach than a $150 increase after nothing for 5 years.

State laws dictate how much notice a landlord must give before raising the rent on a month-to-month agreement. If you are on a lease, good news, your landlord cannot raise the rent on you.

Some states, like Oregon, prevent rent increases in the first year of month-to-month tenancy and set longer periods of required notice before a rent increase takes place. A quick Google search of “[Your state] rent increase notice” should reveal how much time your landlord must give before raising the rent.

If you think this is you, you need to contact a landlord-tenant attorney to start building a case. *Rent increases like those described above are legal in areas that do not have rent control or rent-stabilization acts in place.

You don’t need to decide today if you are staying or going. But you do need to make a plan to think about your finances.

If the new rent is going to price you out of your household budget, finding a less expensive rental is what needs to happen. Do not put additional strain on your finances by living in a place you cannot afford.

You might discover that rents have gone up universally in your area and your landlord is asking for a reasonable price. Would it be worth the moving expenses to find a comparable property with comparable rent.

Before you start paying the higher rate or perusing the rental ads, have a professional and honest conversation with your landlord. Tell your landlord you are concerned with the rising rent prices and that you will probably have to move.

This tactic will only work if you get along with your landlord and have a history of on-time rent payments. You have to be prepared for them to say no.

Be professional, empathic, reasonable, and never get angry or defensive. I have heard the success of renters talking a 10% rent increase down to 5%, with the knowledge that the rent will increase by another 5% in a year, but at least it wasn’t such a steep jump.

Landlords cannot raise the rent on you during a fixed-term lease agreement. If you are tired of your landlord raising the rent every year, ask your landlord if you can sign a lease for 1 or 2 years.

In most cases, your landlord will agree to a long lease agreement, because that means they will not have to deal with releasing the property, turnover, or vacancy. If you already have a history of on-time rent payments and good landlord-tenant relationship your landlord should be open to a long-term lease agreement.

Move Out. In some cases, the only thing to do will be to move.

Moving away from your city center or job can reduce your housing expenses. however, it may also make your commuting expenses go up.

If you live in a tight rental market, with limited vacancies, be sure to communicate your moving plans to your landlord. They might be reasonable about giving you an extension to live on the property at your current rate until you find a new property.

Remember that your current landlord will need to give you a good reference in order for you to find a new place. Prevent Rent Increases – Be a Great Tenant.

In general, landlords hate finding new tenants. Turnover is expensive and time-consuming.

pay your rent on time or early every month) there is a chance that your landlord will avoid raising the rent on you. This is not always the case, as some rent increases are inevitable but every renter should strive to be a good tenant.

Unfair Rent Increases. If you think that your rent increase is unfair or is done in retaliation to get you to move, you can contact a landlord-tenant attorney in your state to talk about your options.

Have you recently gotten a notice that your rent is increasing. Let us know what you did in the comments.

This post was originally published August 12, 2016, and was updated on July 8, 2022.

Question: I just found out my landlord is selling my rental house – what does this mean for my housing situation.

If you signed a lease agreement, your current and future landlord will have to honor the terms. A term lease agreement is a housing agreement between landlord and tenant for a designated amount of time, typically 6-months to one year.

When a buyer purchases a renter-occupied home, he must agree to take over the lease and honor the terms the tenant signed. A buyer can ask the renter to sign a new lease with him, but technically the tenant does not have to.

The only exception would be if your lease agreement has special conditions regarding a property sale. If your state allows it, your lease could contain language that says something along the lines of, “in the event of the sale, the current lease agreement will be void once a new owner takes over the property”.

Another exception would be if you and your landlord mutually agree to end the lease agreement, and you agree to move out on a designated date. In these cases, the tenant can have some leverage to ask for relocation fees from the landlord, since you are doing them a favor by moving out.

If your current lease agreement is a month-to-month tenancy, you have less security when it comes to staying at the property during a sale.

Most states require a landlord to give a tenant anywhere from 30-60 notice informing a tenant that tenancy will end and they need to move out. Some cities have even more lenient timelines, for example, landlords in Portland, OR, must give their tenants 90-days notice to vacate.

Remember, these notices to vacate are not evictions. They are friendly terms of ending a rental tenancy with your current landlord.

Talk to your landlord. Hopefully, your landlord will be upfront about his intentions to sell the property and keep you informed as to whether he hopes to sell to another investor who will keep the property as a rental.

A potentially frustrating part of living in a rental that is in the process of being sold is dealing with showings, inspections, and any property upgrades seller decides to complete the sale. These types of typical selling activities can be a huge disruption to a renter who wants to live in peace.

A lot of tenants feel uncomfortable with the idea of strangers constantly coming through their homes during open houses and showings. Unfortunately, there is little a tenant can do to complain about this part of the process.

Try to work with your landlord to come up with a solution where you feel comfortable and your landlord is still able to sell his home. Remember the more accommodating you are during the sale process, the faster it could be sold and this whole ordeal will be over.

It is not acceptable for a real estate agent to just show up and enter the property unannounced. They must provide advanced noticed according to your state laws for entering the property.

Here are some tips for agents about the Best Practices for Selling Renter-Occupied Homes. This article was originally published in June 2017 and has since been updated.

Updated June 2021. As a landlord, you might want to change the lease rules that you have in place, to better reflect the needs of your business.

It’s essential that you understand when you can and when you cannot make changes to the rental agreement you use with your tenants. Violating the lease terms or trying to force changes when it’s not allowed can lead to big, costly legal issues.

Do you know when and how to properly make changes to your lease agreements. Today, learn all that you need to know about lease changes in our landlord lease workshop.

In today’s workshop, we’ll break down details about lease changes that all landlords should know. When tenants start doing things that you don’t agree with, you might be tempted to change their lease to stop the behavior.

Can landlords change rules mid-lease, or is it illegal to do this. Many new landlords incorrectly believe they can make changes to the lease at any time because it is their property.

It may seem that the landlord should be able to change the rules of their lease because they own the property and should be able to switch things up when they want to, as long as the rule change is fair. Right.

A lease agreement is a contract, which means that two parties come together on an agreed-upon exchange of terms and benefits for both sides. Landlords and tenants sign a lease agreement and agree to perform certain duties and also to give up some things in the process.

Any rule change that affects the tenant’s wallet or how they live in the rental property day-to-day can be considered a change in the terms and conditions of that lease agreement contract. Landlords simply cannot change anything they want, when they want.

To change the rules that both parties agreed to without a new agreement from both parties would be illegal. How, then, can you make changes to a lease agreement that needs to be updated as soon as possible.

Sometimes, both landlords and tenants will want to make a change to the lease agreement mid-lease. Unlike one-sided changes, this is possible.

This is known as a lease addendum. This type of lease change means the landlord and tenant both agree to amend a certain part of the contract they signed.

The key to using lease addendums is to remember that both sides must agree on them before they go into action. A lease addendum gives the tenant some power in approving or negotiating the change, because it cannot take effect unless both parties agree and sign.

Addendums can be made for nearly any term outlined in the original lease agreement so long as both parties agree to the changes. If either party does not want to sign off on the change, then it can not be enacted.

To get an idea of how lease addendums work, it can be helpful to look at a more specific example. One lease addendum example might be that in the original lease agreement, the landlord promised to pay for basic cable as part of the rental agreement.

The landlord and tenant reach an agreement that the landlord will no longer provide or pay for basic cable and that the tenant can get satellite TV installed at the rental property and will assume all costs for that service. The lease addendum would outline these new terms, and both parties would sign the addendum.

In some cases, landlords and tenants will also initial the original lease again, to be clear there has been an addendum created. Check out this video for more information on changing rules mid-lease:

Inexperienced landlords often try to effect changes mid-lease because they just don’t know any better. Often it is a reaction to a current tenant problem, such as making new rules about parking, restricting access to a property amenity like a pool or clubhouse, or imposing additional requirements for yard maintenance.

Instead of trying to make changes to an agreement mid-lease, you need to address these problems in a more direct, reasonable way. While there are dozens of things a landlord may want to change, it’s important for both tenants and landlords to know the proper way to usher in a new policy or rule.

These are five common changes that landlords try to enact mid-lease: As mentioned above, unilaterally changing the lease in the middle of the agreement period to address these issues is not permitted.

If your property includes pool rights, community areas, and other spaces where you might need to change the rules mid-lease, this needs to be reflected in the original lease. Rather than including the specific pool rules in the lease, for example, you could write in the lease agreement that “all posted rules must be followed at the community pool.”.

Similar terms can be added for things like parking spaces or lockout policies. the terms used in the lease agreement can state that these amenities can be changed at any time within reason.

In some cases, you will simply have to wait out the lease agreement. If, for example, you realize that you priced the property too low for the area, you won’t be able to raise the rent until the lease ends or any applicable lease terms come into play.

If this happens to you, make sure you prepare your next leases more carefully and avoid this situation again. When having disagreements with tenants, it can be difficult to see them doing things you don’t appreciate but that are not in violation of the lease agreement.

However, you can end a lease agreement or ask a tenant to comply with the lease if they violate it. Make sure to keep an eye out for these issues, and act quickly if violations do occur.

In the spring of 2014, a news story about a landlord in California garnered a lot of attention. The landlord had sent his tenants a notice that said each tenant needed to prove that their income was at or above a certain amount and have a certain credit score or else they would have to move out.

Interviews with lawyers and other landlord and tenant experts immediately pointed out that the landlord was in error. A few days later, the landlord sent out another letter to tenants asking them to disregard the earlier notice.

Listen below as we discuss this subject with Esther Sirotnik of Avvo’s General Counsel.

After getting Esther’s take, let’s go back to the original story from California and see how it applies. What was wrong with the landlord’s request.

Smoking, criminal history, and several other distinctions are not protected either, so why did the landlord catch so much heat for his notice.

He was trying to re-screen existing tenants and impose income levels and credit scores that had not been previously established. In other words, the landlord tried to change the terms of a contract while it was still in effect.

Can a landlord change a lease agreement at any time, or is it always forbidden. It’s important to understand when you are permitted to change lease agreement rules and when you are not.

The record-breaking spike in 2021 rental prices have left many renters in a newfound conundrum of whether to renew their lease at a much higher rate, move further out in search of a cheaper rate, or take the financial plunge into a homebuyer market that’s experiencing similar price jumps.

And the unprecedented rate increases last year are creating a significant shift in the mindset of renters whose annual leases are now coming up, especially those who got Covid-19 rent relief or found an incredible deal when apartments were giving free months’ rent and parking spaces to lure people to move in the middle of the pandemic.

The rent hikes are beginning to create another shift in the housing market in terms of where people are choosing to live, a different movement from when people fled major cities hit hardest by Covid-19 in 2020, preferring larger spaces in suburban areas or moving back in with family members. In 2020, the pace of household formation—a group of people living together—dropped for the first time in decades.

Part of that decline was due to adult children who moved back in with their parents (or put off moving out for the first time), while elderly parents moved in with their adult children when the pandemic began. But in 2021, household formation picked up the pace again, with 129.9 million new households.

All of these factors gave landlords and home sellers even more leverage to raise prices in 2021. And those rental prices have gone up in nearly every city regardless of whether it was a major metro area or more suburban.

For example, Arizona had four cities among the top 10 cities with the highest rental rate increases nationwide in 2021: Scottsdale (31%), Mesa (29.6%), Phoenix (29%) and Glendale (28.5%). Florida also dominated some of the most expensive rental rates with Tampa (32.6%), St.

In areas that were already blooming before the pandemic, like Austin, Texas, where rental rates jumped 24.8%, housing experts say they’re now seeing people leave the popular city. “Some people are moving to San Antonio to get more for their money.

“In general, winter is usually better for apartment deals but not this year. I’ve never seen anything like this.”.

This has made it difficult for Tampa renter and freelance writer, Stephanie Powers, to decide whether to move her growing family into an equally high-priced housing market or another costly rental. The wife and mother of a five-year-old son says she feels stuck in place because of the lack of affordable housing options and moving into a bigger space would mean paying almost double the rent she pays now.

We’ve looked as far as Plant City and even farther north in Tallahassee,” Powers says. “If I’m going to pay New York prices, I’d rather live in New York.”.

Conversely, the only major city nationwide that had an actual decline in its 2021 rental rate was Oakland, Calif., with a 1% drop. While rental rates have not cooled off during the winter as much as historically expected, Warnock says he doesn’t expect rates to go up as painfully as they did throughout 2021.

“Typically, prices begin picking up again in March and April. Obviously, there’s a good deal of uncertainty with the pandemic, but it won’t be like 2020 when people stopped moving altogether.”.

Some renters may have to live with roommates or forfeit certain amenities to reduce housing costs, while others might have to look in a different zip code. Oftentimes, a renter can negotiate price more by working with a mom-and-pop landlord who owns a house or condo, for example, rather than trying to haggle the price down at a large corporate-owned apartment building.

If you check those boxes and are willing to help around the home, you may negotiate cheaper rent. “Try to include a larger security deposit or offer to do some of the basic maintenance around the house,” Carberry says.

However, some large apartment complexes that are newly built might offer you a deal because they have to quickly fill up the units within a certain amount of time. Look for areas that are still building out housing or with buildings under new construction and note the names of the building.

Rental apps can also be a great tool for staying up to date on deals and getting alerts on new rentals that meet your requirements. In competitive markets with low supply, acting quickly can be essential in finding something you can afford.