What Are Common Disputes Between Landlords and Tenants in Connecticut?
The “bad tenant” and “mean landlord” stereotypes have always existed, and while they may not always have issues, it is fairly common for a landlord and tenants to butt heads. Tenants have certain expectations for their living space and landlords have to attempt to please every tenant in one form or another. Small issues are bound to occur between the building owner and his or her residents, but sometimes the disputes become big enough to require legal representation.
Common Complaints About Tenants
Complaining occurs on both sides of the housing contracts. The following are common issues that landlords experience with their buildings’ inhabitants:
Paying Rent Late: Most people have paid their rent late at least once in their life. This may seem like a minor inconvenience for landlords, but there is more behind the scenes. A landlord’s business relies on the cash flow from tenants. Without this money, it can affect his or her ability to maintain the building and pay overall utility bills to keep everything in working order. If rent is late, a landlord can take legal action against the tenant and start the eviction process if late payments become a habit.
Bad Conduct: Part of a landlord’s job is to keep the peace between all residents, making the building livable for every resident. Noise violations are one of the most common offenses in regards to disorderly conduct. Consistent bad behavior could result in legal ramifications in some areas, including potential evictions.
Contractual Offenses: The written lease agreement is the official legal document that includes all legally binding rules for tenants. These include sub-leasing rules, pet regulations, and maintaining the property’s conditions. Lease agreements vary greatly from property to property, which is why it is important to read the fine print as a future tenant to avoid making mistakes that could result in legal action.
Common Complaints About Landlords
Landlords are far from innocent in making bad decisions. Below are some common examples:
Failure to Keep Buildings Up to Code: Each state has its own codes that every building must meet. These are in place to prevent dangers such as building fires and individuals getting trapped. If landlords fail to keep their buildings up to code, there are severe legal consequences.
Broken Appliances or Damages: It is common for landlords to not replace old appliances in order to avoid major expenses. While it is not an offense to supply tenants with old appliances, landlords should make sure they are in proper working order. Tenants should read over their leases closely to see what their responsibility is if anything in the apartment breaks.
Contact a Fairfield County Landlord or Tenant Attorney
Conflicts between landlords and tenants are not uncommon, but every situation should be taken seriously. For landlords, their business could be at stake and for tenants, their safety and comfort at home could be threatened. The Law Offices of Peter V. Lathouris, LLC serve both landlords and tenants because we believe that both deserve fair representation. If you are a landlord or tenant seeking legal counsel, contact our Stamford, CT real estate lawyers.
Sources:
https://www.moneycrashers.com/deal-with-bad-tenants/
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/common-complaints-landlords-tenants-1435.html