Leases and Security Deposits
This article gives general information about lead-based paint, where it is found, and how it is dangerous. To obtain information about New York State regulations, how they affect you as a landlord, and what your responsibilities are, visit the Office of the Attorney General website at:www.oag.state.ny.us Where is lead paint found?Most homes built before 1960 contain leaded paint. Some homes built as recently as 1978 may also contain lead paint. This paint could be on window frames, walls, the exterior of a house or on other surfaces. Tiny pieces of peeling or chipping lead paint are dangerous if eaten by…
Tip Sheet To Passing The Housing Quality Inspection Listed below are some of the most important items that the inspector looks for on the initial and annual inspections as required by HUD. Please note that the Housing Authority has the right to adopt local codes for acceptability criteria that are more stringent than the HQS standards. This tip sheet is only meant to be a guide to helping the landlord know what the inspector is looking for to increase the chances of passing inspection the first time. A Unit should always be in “move-in” condition at the time of inspection.…
A security deposit is a deposit of money to the landlord to ensure that rent will be paid and that the tenant will perform (or will not perform) a certain act during the tenancy. A landlord may, pursuant to a written rental agreement, require a security deposit in an amount that generally should not exceed two month’s rent. In New York, there is no statutory limit on what a landlord can charge for security on non-regulated units. In our area of Westchester, what is most common is an amount equal to one month’s rent. Security Deposit or Last Month’s Rent-…
Attached you will find an example of an addendum to a lease. You can download it and use it as is, or you can alter it to suit your needs. When altering the contents of any lease or addendum, make sure that the terms are legally enforceable. If not, the contract is voidable and useless.
Most landlords understand that the most important document in a landlord-tenant relationship is the lease. This document spells the relationship out in writing and the components of this document are enforceable in a court of law providing that no local, state or federal laws are violated. A standard lease can usually be purchased in office supply stores, stationary stores that sell legal forms, or in book stores that have real estate sections. You can also go to a lawyer and have one drafted specifically to meet your own needs. There is no law that restricts you from doing that. We…