Avoiding the Landlord from Hell: Tips to Protect Your Rights as a Tenant

Home ownership isn't feasible or even worthwhile for everyone. Therefore, millions of Americans choose to rent apartments, duplexes, condos, and houses from an owner or professional landlord. Most often the first step in formalizing a lease is to sign a written contract between the landlord and the renter. What often starts as a mutually amicable relationship, however, can turn ugly around the end of the lease period. Responsible renters are often shocked to find their security deposits withheld or an exorbitant bill for reasons they never anticipated. Often these charges are attributable to technicalities in the lease document, damages to the home that are not the tenant's responsibility, or other unforeseen problems with the lease arrangement.