Ignorantia juris non excusat is Latin that means “Ignorance of the law excuses not”. It’s a legal principle holding that a person who is unaware of a law may not escape liability for violating that law merely because one was unaware of its content. That means, as a Southern Prince George’s County property owner, it is important to understand the laws that govern rental homes in your place. Landlord-tenant law explains the rights and obligations that both landlords and tenants have relative to a rental property. While some aspects of landlord/tenant law vary from state to state, there are other parts of the law that all property owners – and tenants – would do well to remember.
Landlord/tenant law is typically dependent on the strength of your lease agreement. Lease agreements are binding contracts that should outline the relationship between the landlord and their tenant. A good lease agreement should have detailed information about the responsibilities of both parties as well as language that protects their rights.
Nonetheless, any lease agreement must also follow state and federal tenant/landlord law. From time to time, Southern Prince George’s County property owners might include sections of a lease agreement that violate those laws. Such as discriminating against a tenant based on gender, religion, race, or disability — this is illegal. Such discrimination violates the Federal Fair Housing Act, which protects individuals in certain classes from being denied housing. Needless to say, in as much as the lease agreement goes against the law, it is not valid.
There are a lot of laws to observe, but it’s important to especially take heed of the ones that regulate security deposits. Commonly, landlords impose a security deposit before moving in. But, the amount of the deposit may be limited under your state law. Landlord/tenant laws also dictate how security deposits are to be returned, including how soon the refund must be issued after a tenant moves out.
To illustrate, the law states that all security deposits must be returned to a tenant when they move out, minus any documented deductions for repairs or cleaning costs. The thing behind deposits is that, while some deductions are allowed, it is illegal for a landlord to deduct the cost of regular maintenance or normal wear and tear.
In many states, landlords have a maximum of 30 days to return a tenant’s security deposit. Exceeding this timeframe could have serious consequences for any landlord, so it’s crucial to observe any time limits included in your state or local laws.
Tenant/landlord law also regularly includes protections for both tenant rights and landlord rights. At the most basic level, most state laws state that tenants have the right to quiet enjoyment, a livable condition, and a certain level of privacy. Landlords, however, also have responsibilities to make sure that their property maintenance and oversight do not violate these rights.
Naturally, the law also ensures that landlords can protect their rights. State laws often protect a landlord’s right to require a monthly rental payment as well as other payments as specified in the lease (utility bills, for instance). The law also protects a landlord’s ability to evict tenants for nonpayment or other legal causes. However, typically a very specific process must be followed to ensure that a tenant’s rights are not violated during an eviction.
By remembering key aspects of landlord/tenant law, you can safeguard your rental properties and ascertain that policies are in compliance. Operating within the law can help you avoid expensive and unnecessary lawsuits and keep your rental properties profitable for years to come.
At Real Property Management Gold, our team of expert Southern Prince George’s County property managers is here to handle the legal requirements for you. Our staff is trained and well versed in landlord/tenant law, equal housing, fair housing, and more. If you wish to learn more about our property management plans, contact us online or call us at 301-392-2172.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
