Residential landlords are individual property owners or businesses that rent out apartments, condos, or houses for money. The renters who pay landlords to live in these properties are called residential tenants. Landlords and tenants each have legal rights and responsibilities that are typically spelled out in residential leases . These rights and responsibilities remain in place, regardless of whether or not they are covered in a lease or rental agreement; this would be the case, for example, if a landlord and tenant have an oral rental agreement to rent out a property or a very simple lease that just covers basic terms, such as the amount of rent and length of the lease.
Landlord right to Enter.
If you are concerned about privacy, be sure to ask for wording in the lease limiting the landlord’s ability to enter your apartment (except during emergencies). Tenants in multiple dwellings also have the right to install and maintain their own locks on their apartment entrance doors, but you must provide the landlord with a duplicate key upon request.
What Happens if Your Landlord Leaves?
Landlords must notify tenants, by registered or certified mail, of the name and address of the new owner. New owners of rent-stabilized buildings are responsible for returning any security deposits and interest. This responsibility exists whether or not the new owner received the security deposits from the former landlord (When a building is sold, the landlord must transfer all security deposits to the new owner within five days, or return the security deposits to the tenants). Foreclosure of the building also does not affect your lease.
Need More Help?
For more information on your rights and responsibilities as a tenant, check out the Attorney General’s Landlord/Tenant Guide.
