Shirlyne Mosley
Administrator

Richard 
Flewelling
Counselor

Services Provided

Landlords' Duties

Tenants' Rights

Tenants' Duties

Suggestions About Security Deposits and Damage Lists

Finding relocation housing and/or emergency or temporary shelter

Homeless prevention

Emergency resources for rent, utility payments, security deposits, food, furniture, etc.

Miscellaneous financial matters/Money Management Counseling

Tenant/Landlord rights and obligations

Care of unit

Security deposits

Repairs and deductions

Housing code violations

Unlawful outster/entry

Notices to vacate units

Evictions

Representation in court

Landlord/Tenant mediation

When requiring a security deposit, present tenant with a comprehensive listing of existing damages before tenant moves in and when tenant moves out.  This listing is required before making any charge against the security deposit, and the tenant must be given a statement of the estimated cost of repairs.

Place security deposits in a bank account used only for that purpose, and inform the tenant of the location and number of the account.

Notify tenant, at the tenant's last known address, of any deposit refund due.

Disclose, in writing, the name and address of the person authorized to manage the premises and the owner or the person authorized to act for the owner.

Comply with the requirements of applicable building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety.

Make all repairs; and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition.

Keep all common areas of the premises in a clean and safe condition.

Maintain in good and safe working order and condition all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and other facilities and appliances, including elevators, supplied or required to be supplied by the landlord.

Supply running water and reasonable amounts of hot water at all times, and reasonable heat between October 1 and May 1, to be paid for by the tenant unless lease states otherwise, except where the building that includes the dwelling unit is so constructed that heat or hot water is generated by an installation within the exclusive control of the tenant and supplied by a direct public utility connection.

Not retaliate by increasing rent or decreasing services or by bringing or threatening to bring an action for possession after: (a) the tenant has complained to a governmental agency charged with responsibility for enforcement of a building or housing code of a violation applicable to the premises materially affecting health and safety; (b) the tenant has complained to the landlord of a violation under the Landlord-Tenant Act; (c) the tenant has organized or become a member of a "tenant union" or similar organization.

Refund prepaid rent when the rental agreement is terminated under certain conditions.

Receive a comprehensive listing from the landlord, signed by both parties, of existing damages at the time of paying a security deposit and taking possession of the premises, and not be charged for repairs without the listing and a statement of the estimated cost of repairs.

The name of the bank where the security deposit is on deposit and the account number.

Compliance by the landlord with the requirement of applicable building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety.

Be advised, in writing, of the name and address of the person authorized to manage the premises and the person authorized to act for the owner.

Have all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and other facilities and appliances, including elevators, supplied or required to be supplied, in good and safe working order and condition.

Running water and reasonable amounts of hot water at all times, and heat between October 1 and May 1, supplied by the landlord and paid for by tenant, unless lease states otherwise, except under certain conditions.

Receive the utilities called for in the rental agreement and, if such utilities are not provided, to receive relief under certain conditions.

Make repairs and deduct the cost from the rent under certain conditions.

Two days' notice before the landlord enters the premises, except in case of emergency.

Terminate a rental agreement on thirty (30) days' notice for the landlords' non-compliance, except if: (a) the landlord complies within fourteen (14) days from time of notice; (b) the condition was caused by the tenant.

Terminate a month-to-month tenancy on thirty (30) days written notice, or a week-to-week tenancy on seven (7) days' written notice.

Freedom from retaliatory action if the tenant: (a) complains to a governmental agency charged with responsibility for enforcement of a building or housing code of a violation applicable to the premises materially affecting health and safety; (b) complains to a landlord about a violation; (c) organizes or becomes a member of a tenants' union or similar organization.

Refuse to waive any rights or remedies.

Be notified at the tenant's last known address of any security deposit refund due.

Abide by the rental agreement..., so long as it is fair and conscionable and contains no provisions prohibited by the Act or other rule of law.

Give up possession of the premises at the end of a lease, a periodic tenancy, or a rental agreement, unless the rental agreement is extended.

Obey the procedures in the Act concerning security deposits.

Pay rent in the agreed manner and at the agreed time.

Not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord to enter into the dwelling unit in order to inspect the premises, make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations, or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services, or exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workmen, or contractors.

Give landlord proper written notice of:

	Termination of the rental agreement
	The need for repairs
	The intention to do self-help repairs
	Tenant's absence for more than seven (7) days

Comply with the obligations primarily imposed upon tenants by applicable provisions of housing codes.

Keep the premises as clean and as safe as the condition of the premises permits.

Dispose from the dwelling all ashes, garbage, rubbish, and other waste in a clean and safe manner.

Keep all plumbing fixtures in the dwelling unit or used by the tenant as clean as their condition permits.

Use in a reasonable manner all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air-conditioning and other facilities and appliances including elevators in the premises.

Not deliberately or negligently destroy, deface, damage, impair or remove any part of the premises or knowingly permit any person to do so.

Conduct himself/herself and require other persons on the premises with his/her consent to conduct themselves in a manner that will not disturb the neighbors' peaceful enjoyment of their premises.

Leaky plumbing (toilets, faucets, pipes, etc.)

Holes or cracks in walls or ceilings

Missing or broken windows and screens

Defective appliances

Defective electrical wiring (switches, outlets, etc.)

Defective heating, air conditioning, hot water heat

Damaged bathroom fixtures

Damaged flooring/floors

Doors that are damaged or don't fit properly

Missing or damaged doorknobs, locks, hinges

Evidence of insects and rodents

Peeling paint or wallpaper

Anything on the exterior for which the tenant might be held responsible

Damaged furniture, if any is furnished