A LEGAL SURVIVAL GUIDE
For When You Turn…
Moving Out & Renting
MUST A LEASE BE WRITTEN TO BE ENFORCEABLE?
Yes, unless it is for less than one year.
ARE ALL RENTAL AGREEMENTS ALIKE?
No! You might sign a lease for a specific time period. Or the landlord may rent the apartment to you on a month-to-month basis.
Some cities have special ordinances limiting how much the rent can be raised and the situations in which a tenant can be evicted.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF PUTTING IT IN WRITING?
• Clear understanding of renter and landlord rights and obligations.
• Some protection against dishonesty.
Landlords
IS THE LANDLORD REQUIRED TO KEEP MY APARTMENT IN GOOD SHAPE?
The landlord’s general duty is to keep the premises in a “reasonable state of repair.”
BUT if you damage something your on the line. If conditions are so bad that the premises are “uninhabitable,” consult an attorney about possible claims against the landlord
CAN MY LANDLORD ENTER MY APARTMENT WITHOUT ASKING ME?
Only in certain circumstances!
1) Emergencies or unusual situations.
EXAMPLE: A bathtub overflows the owner could check your apartment
2) 24-hour written notice.
EXAMPLE: Showing the apartment to prospective tenants. Or an electrician checking the wiring.
Any other such entry may be trespassing
CAN MY LANDLORD EVICT ME?
It depends on your situation. Do you have a lease? Are you renting your apartment monthto-month? Did you violate your rental agreement?
Rental Leases
IF I SIGN A LEASE WITH THREE FRIENDS AND THEY MOVE OUT, DO I HAVE TO PAY THE FULL RENT OR ONLY MY SHARE?
It depends on what your lease says. You will probably have to pay the full rent. You would then have a claim against your friends and could sue them.
CAN A LANDLORD LEGALLY REFUSE TO RENT TO ME BECAUSE OF MY RACE OR DISABILITY?
No. It is against the law to discriminate in renting, leasing or selling housing on the basis of race, national origin, sex, marital status, color, religion, sexual orientation or disability.
IF I BREAK A LEASE, CAN I BE SUED FOR?
• All unpaid rent.
• Any physical damage, including unusual cleaning expenses.
• Advertising expenses and other costs of re-renting the apartment. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
• The landlord’s attorney fees, if the lease provides for it.
Money Matters
CONTRACTS
Contract = an agreement between two or more competent parties. Can be oral or written.
BREAKING A CONTRACT
You could be sued and made appear in court
If you lose your case you may pay the judgment plus interest or possibly side costs and attorney fees
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU BREAK A CONTRACT BECAUSE YOU DIDN’T UNDERSTAND IT?
Not understanding the contract you signed is generally NOT an excuse. You are responsible for understanding terms of a contract- SO ASK!
Do not sign a contract with blank spaces fill them in or cross them out!!
Banking
WHAT SHOULD I ASK BEFORE OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT?
● Interest rate, fees and services available on the account
● Online banking
● Minimum balance
● Overdraft coverage and fee program
SPENDING MORE MONEY THAN IN YOUR ACCOUNT
Declined transaction AND penalized an overdraft fee. Overdraft fees apply to each and every transaction no matter how small!
Financial Literacy
WHAT IS A CREDIT REPORT?
Its a summary of your debts and a history of how promptly you have paid your bills.
Information comes from companies and public court recorders
WHAT IS COLLATERAL?
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO FIX BAD CREDIT?
It depends on the severity. Files go back seven years
You should obtain a copy of your report and review it for errors once a year.
An item of value that is accepted by a lender as backup payment if you stop making payments
Working & Taxes
What taxes are taken out of my paycheck?
State Taxes
Federal Taxes
CAN YOUR EMPLOYER DEDUCT FROM YOUR PAYCHECKS?
Yes. but only for certain purposes:
● Tax Withholdings
● Union Dues
● Any losses caused by your dishonesty, willful misconduct or gross negligence
● Specific deductions that you gave written consent to
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
