Preventing Eviction: Steps For Tenants (Continued)

When acting as a tenant there are a few basic responsibilities you should always adhere to:

• Always pay your rent on-time and in full
• If you are having financial trouble inform your landlord—in writing—well before the due date of your next rent payment
• You might be able to negotiate a payment plan with the landlord until you are able to pay the rent in full, but do not expect to be able to do this on a repeated basis
• Read your lease completely, and ask questions about any terms of which you are unclear
• Adhere to the rules of your lease
• If your landlord informs you that you have violated the lease in some way, ask for the violation in writing and offer to correct any violations at your own expense in a timely manner
• It is difficult to halt eviction in the case of tenant health and safety violations so keep your rental unit clean and clear of garbage
• Do not damage the rental unit or alter it in a way that violates health and safety codes
• Do not engage in dangerous or illegal behavior in the rental unit

Approach the tenant-leaser relationship as a business relationship and the lease as a binding contract. By honoring all aspects of the lease, you are taking a proactive step to preventing eviction.

In addition to following the “golden rules” of renting, a tenant should make sure to protect themselves. Some steps a tenant should take in the event of a landlord-tenant dispute include:

• Keep records of all communication with your landlord about problems or concerns with the rental unit.
• Include the date all requests were made, the nature of the complaint, to whom the complaint was made and whether or not the problem was resolved in a satisfactory manner.
• When dealing with a landlord that is not responding to verbal requests for action, submit written requests and keep a copy for your records.
• Keep copies of canceled checks or receipts for cash payment as evidence of rental payment.

Remember that a landlord cannot evict you without proper reason or notice. If you have been served with an eviction notice and are confused about the process or tenant rights in your state, get legal help.

Real estate law is complicated and can vary from state to state. It is important to speak with a tenant eviction attorney who specializes in real estate law before making any hasty decisions. A qualified real estate attorney will be able to help you understand your tenant rights and possibly prevent an eviction.