Just like a government and its citizens have their roles to play in ensuring that a country enjoys peace, prosperity, and stability, every landlord and tenant has roles too to play.
The landlord owns the house and land. The tenant is paying rent to the landlord on maybe a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis to use the landlord’s property either for residential or commercial purposes. A tenant also gets renters insurance to cover himself and properties from losses and accidents.
No one is greater between the two. The law has accorded each a right. The landlord has no power over the tenant and vice versa. They usually collide when the tenant can’t pay rent. Even in situations when tenants don’t pay rent, the landlord can’t resort to self-help. By providing insurance for renters, insurance companies can reduce or cushion the effects of the challenges tenants face.
Here’s a look at the duties of these two people.
· LANDLORD
1. Keep the Property in a Habitable State
The landlord must ensure that the property he/she is putting up for rent is habitable enough for human occupation. There should be no threat to the safety of the tenants and their properties.
2. Ensure the Premises is Peaceful for the Tenant’s Enjoyment
The landlord must create an atmosphere of peace in the environment. They must inform a tenant of any disturbance to this peace and it must be accepted by the tenant.
3. Ensure the Premises is Insured Against Loss or Damage of Any Kind
Landlords should have insurance that covers both them and their tenants in case of fires, theft, collapses, natural disasters, or any other form of loss.
4. Not to Block Access to or Seize Personal Property
When tenants can’t pay rent, some landlords often resort to unlawful self-help acts. Such landlords if taken to court for this by their tenants, will face the wrath of the law.
5. Pay All Levies and Tenement Rates as Required by the Law
Every landlord is required by the law to pay tenement rates and not the tenant.
· TENANT
1. To Keep the Premises in Good Condition
During the period the tenant occupies the premises he/she has the duty of keeping the place clean and in good condition.
2. Pay Rent on Time
A tenant is required to pay rent at the agreed amount and time.
3. Do Not Make Alterations to the Property Without the Knowledge of the Landlord
The tenant has no right to build or break down a structure or alter the structural look of the premises.
4. No Subletting
The tenant has no right to sublet the rented apartment to another tenant.
5. Right to Allow the Landlord Into the Premises for Inspection
The tenant will allow the landlord or his agent, lawyers, access into the rented apartment for the sake of inspections. Though the landlord has to give enough notice ahead.
Lack of understanding of rights by both landlord and tenant tends to be the major reason for friction between both parties. If both parties carry out their duties as specified above, there will be peace.