As a property manager, you have a lot of responsibility for your tenants. You must ensure that the units are habitable, rent is collected promptly, and tenants are treated well and fairly. Property managers need to know their legal responsibilities, so here are some of the most important laws:
Defenses for evictions
Property managers need to have a defense for their eviction notices to protect their rights. If they do not have a proper defense, they could lose the case and be forced to pay court fees. In addition, they may also be required to pay back rent and damages.
Rent control laws
Rent control laws are essential for property managers to understand because they can protect tenants from being overcharged for rent. For example, in many states, landlords are allowed to increase the rent on a unit by a certain percentage each year, but if they have been charging their tenants more, they could be violating the law.
Tenant privacy and disclosure laws
Property managers should be aware of tenant privacy and disclosure laws because they must protect their tenants' private information. This can include anything from financial records to medical records to personal information.
To feel safe in their homes and commercial property, tenants must know that their landlords will not share their personal information without their consent. Unit security is also an important part of the agreement. Property managers should provide their tenants with a secure residential or commercial property. For example, installing video intercoms at the entrance or hiring security guards.
Age discrimination
Age discrimination is a big problem in the United States. In fact, it's the most commonly reported form of discrimination, with approximately 20% of all Americans reporting that they've been discriminated against because of their age.
Age discrimination can stem from several sources: an employer may refuse to hire someone because they're "too old"; a landlord could refuse to rent out a rental property to someone too young, or someone might be denied a loan based solely on their age.
In order for property managers to avoid age discrimination in their properties, they must be aware of how and why it occurs. A good way to do this is by educating yourself on the laws surrounding age discrimination and taking steps to ensure your business practices are fair and equitable.
Habitability requirements and warranty of habitability
The landlord must provide habitable properties to the tenant. A property manager is an essential part of the landlord's process of providing a habitable environment for their tenants.
If a property manager fails to provide habitable housing, they are responsible for its repair and maintenance. They are also responsible for ensuring that the property is free from hazards, including infestation or mold.
A property manager may be required to repair or replace appliances damaged by normal wear and tear as long as it does not impose an undue hardship on them. They may also be required to make repairs if they have been negligent in their property maintenance.