When it comes to renting versus owning a home, you’re well aware that there are different rights and responsibilities involved. You have different liability when you own a home, for example, than when you rent. That’s why homeowners and renters insurance is different, in part because the risks involved are different.

As a tenant in someone else’s building or property, you give up quite a bit of freedom. You can’t change the property without permission, for example. You’re also at your landlord’s mercy when it comes to some things such as repairs.

The good news is that you have rights. While renters rights can vary greatly from one state to the next, there are some common principles that are in effect just about everywhere.

Entering Your Home

While your landlord owns the home, she still can’t just come and go as she pleases. Generally speaking, there are three situations that allow the landlord to enter a rented property. They are able to enter in order to make necessary repairs (or determine whether a repair is necessary in some states). They can come in during an emergency. They can also enter the premises to show the property to potential new buyers or renters.

Some states require that the landlord give advance notice, typically 24 hours, before entering a rental property. The exception to this, of course, is an emergency or when the renter gives the landlord permission.

Maintenance Issues

In most areas, a landlord has to maintain basic safety and habitability requirements for a rental property. This includes things like adequate heat, electricity and water, as well as weatherproofing and structurally sound premises. When one of these things isn’t working, such as a broken water pipe, it is the landlord’s responsibility to fix it. Local codes set the specific habitability standards, and you can get that information from your local housing authority.

If a renter asks for repairs and the landlord doesn’t do them, the renter may be able to seek recourse. Here again, it’s important to know the regulations in your area.

Liability

The landlord is responsible for the building, its structural safety and related issues. The renter is responsible for most non-structural issues inside of the rental property. This is why renters insurance is so important. If there is an incident and the landlord is found to not be liable, the renter will be. In those cases, the renter is not protected, and needs to have renters insurance as a safety net for such emergencies.

Photo via Glenn Batuyong