Landlord Lawyers in Albany, New York
The landlord lawyers in Albany, New York at The Towne Law Firm, P.C. can help you with your lease, landlord-tenant issues, and other landlord litigation matters. If you plan to purchase property to rent, or are thinking of renting a property, or have already established a landlord tenant relationship, the landlord lawyers in Albany, New York are here to help you. Under state and local laws, renters have rights and landlords have certain responsibilities. Many issues can often be resolved when both parties are aware of their rights and responsibilities and when their lease agreements reflect those conditions. Sometimes something as simple as hiring a landlord attorney in Albany, New York to review and write your lease contract can make all the difference in the world and prevent future disputes. If you have questions about how the landlord lawyers in Albany, New York at The Towne Law Firm, P.C. can help you, reach out to us today.
How Can a Landlord Lawyer in Albany, New York Help Me?
The Albany, New York landlord lawyers at The Towne Law Firm, P.C. can help you with a range of legal matters that can arise within the domain of landlord-tenant law. We can help you with everything from your lease agreement to an eviction. Here are some ways a landlord lawyer may be able to help you:
- Craft a Legal Lease Agreement. A lease agreement is the contract formed between you and your future tenant. It is important that your lease agreement be in compliance with the Fair Housing Act and that the terms of the agreement don’t violate renter’s rights. For example, under the Fair Housing Act, a landlord cannot discriminate against renters on the basis of age, creed, immigration status, citizenship status, skin color, disability, gender or gender identity, marital or partnership status, national origin, arrest record, sexual orientation, military status, occupation, children, or status as domestic violence victim. A landlord cannot refuse to rent to these groups. The language in a lease agreement matters. Language that suggests that a tenant cannot have children in a unit, language that claims that a rental unit is rented “as is” claiming to release the landlord from regular maintenance, or any claim that the landlord can enter the property whenever he or she wishes, could be problematic and in violation of the Fair Housing Act. A strong lease will clarify the start and end date of the agreement, clearly state rent due dates, offer clear instructions about when, where, and how rent is to be paid, clarify what utilities are included and excluded from the lease agreement, clarify security deposit amounts, clarify rules regarding pets and animals, and offer clear procedures through which a tenant can request maintenance.
- Help You Understand Your Responsibilities as a Landlord. When it comes to maintenance, eviction, and late fees, it is important to understand what is permitted and not permitted under the law. A landlord lawyer in Albany, New York can help you understand your rights and responsibilities to your tenants. For example, a landlord must provide a tenant 24-hours’ notice before entering a unit and must ask to enter the property during reasonable hours. The only exception to this rule is that the landlord may enter the unit in an emergency like a gas or water leak. When it comes to late fees, landlords are only permitted to charge up to 5% of the monthly rent or $50, whichever is less, if the rent is more than 5 days late.
- Raising Rents and Non-Lease Renewal. The kind of notice you’ll need to provide to renters if you will be raising rents or won’t be renewing a lease will depend on how long a tenant has been living in the space. For example, in Albany, tenants who have been living in a unit for a year are required to receive 30 days’ notice. Those living in a unit between one and two years are required to receive 60 days’ notice. And if a tenant has been living in the space for more than 2 years, 90 days’ notice is required.
- Help with Evictions. Landlords have the right to evict tenants if they fail to pay rent, violate the terms of the lease, use the unit illegally, refuse the landlord access to the unit when the landlord has followed proper procedures, or engage in nuisance or criminal activity. A landlord must follow proper eviction proceedings when evicting tenants. Failure to go to court or follow proper procedures could put you in violation of the law. For example, a landlord cannot turn off utilities, change the locks without a court warrant, or threaten or harass a tenant during the eviction proceedings. A landlord cannot remove a tenant’s belongings from the home without going through the proper eviction procedures. The landlord lawyers in Albany at The Towne Law Firm, P.C. can help you with the eviction process.
- Help You Comply with Rules Regarding Security Deposits. Landlords have a responsibility to return security deposits when tenants vacate a unit. If a landlord keeps a portion of the security deposit, the landlord is legally required to provide an itemized list of deductions and repairs. A landlord cannot charge tenants for normal wear and tear to a unit. If you need help differentiating between security deposit claims you can make vs. claims you cannot make, a landlord lawyer in Albany, New York at The Towne Law Firm, P.C. may be able to help you.
These are just some of the situations where a real estate lawyer in Albany, New York may be able to help you. If you have questions or need help drafting a lease agreement, need assistance with an eviction, or have another question about a pressing landlord-tenant matter, reach out to the Albany, New York landlord lawyers at The Towne Law Firm, P.C. today.
How Can a Landlord Lawyer Can Help Me If I Plan to Purchase Property to Rent in Albany, New York?
If you plan to purchase property to rent or lease in Albany, New York, the landlord lawyers at The Towne Law Firm, P.C. may be able to help you. Our attorneys can help you navigate zoning laws, review the property to help you understand upgrades or maintenance that may need to be performed before the property can be rented, and help you with lease agreements and other matters. Before you make an investment, you may want to speak to the landlord attorneys in Albany, New York at The Towne Law Firm, P.C. Our lawyers can help you understand the process of renting property in Albany, New York.
How Can I Contact a Landlord Lawyer in Albany, New York?
The landlord lawyers in Albany, New York at The Towne Law Firm, P.C. can be contacted by phone at 518-452-1800 or be reached by filling out an online contact form. Our landlord lawyers are here to help you with your legal questions and needs.
