As a tenant, you need to know whether you live in a tenant-friendly state because your relationship with your landlord can greatly influence your experience, rights, and obligations as a tenant.
Many factors can affect your rental environment. This includes the statewide rent control laws, security deposits, the eviction process, and even your signed rental agreement as a whole.
Learning how your state handles landlord-tenant law can be very helpful if you're a tenant looking for protection while living in a rental property.
Know the Differences Between Tenant-Friendly and Landlord-Friendly States
You might commonly hear the term landlord-friendly state but it isn’t as typical for property owners and real estate investors to talk about tenant-friendly states. Let's have a quick discussion on what the differences are between these two:
Tenant Friendly States
Laws and rules in these states protect you by enforcing limits on property owners. Tenants' rights are particularly protected in these states, which means they have stronger laws against eviction, more stringent requirements for security deposits, and more rigorous standards for property maintenance.
Landlord Friendly States
Meanwhile, landlord-friendly states give landlords and property owners more freedom and fewer restrictions on what they can do in their rental homes. One of the popular ways to know if your state is more on the landlord-friendly side of the rental market is by having a quick search when the COVID eviction moratoriums ended in your state. Other things you can check on are if your state has the following laws:
Flexible Lease Termination: It allows a state landlord to easily and quickly process tenant evictions.
Minimal Rent Control: A property owner has more freedom to adjust your lease term and rent prices since there are limited to no rent control measures in these states.
Fewer Restrictions: There are less stringent regulations on rent price increases and security deposits.
5 Indicators You Are in a Tenant-Friendly State
Tenant-friendly states usually have laws that provide you more rights and benefits as tenants. These laws support you to ensure that your living conditions in the rental property are fair and safe. If you want to know if your current state is tenant-friendly, here are some indicators that will help you figure out whether to continue renting in your area.
1. Lenient Eviction Process
Landlords evict tenants who are not able to pay rent on time. Sometimes they also evict renters who violate their lease agreement or as soon as your contract expires. Usually, landlords don't have a legal duty to renew a tenant's lease. This means that they can decide not to renew your lease just because they don't want to.
Now, if your state has a complicated eviction process that can help you resolve your unpaid rent or fix your lease violations, it means that your area leans toward tenant protection. You can have protection against unjust evictions from rental properties and have a longer notice-to-pay period for your rent payments.
2. Flexible Lease Termination Rules
When your lease or rental agreement ends, you or your landlord have to give a termination notice if one of you doesn't want a lease renewal. This is made so that both of you can have enough time to prepare or make the necessary arrangements before moving out. Usually, you can terminate a lease with 30 days' notice for a month-to-month lease agreement.
However, in a tenant-friendly state, lease termination rules often require longer notice periods before a landlord can ask you to move out. These states typically offer up to 60 days' notice before terminating the lease. These extended timelines can give you more time to find a new home after moving out from your current rental property.
3. Rent Control Measures
Does your state have rent control laws that limit rent increases during a lease term? These laws might also prevent landlords from raising rent between tenants or set caps on increases. Through this statewide rent control law, you can worry less about excessive rent hikes since there are regulations in this state that limit how much your landlord can increase rent, ensuring you get a reasonable rent price as a tenant.
4. Security Deposit Regulations
In the U.S., security deposits can be charged up to three months' rent. Meanwhile, landlords are required by law in the majority of states to return your security deposits no later than 30 days after the termination of your lease.
Therefore, you may know if you live in a tenant-friendly state if there is a limit on how much your landlord can charge you for a security deposit and there are particular rules on returning deposits.
5. Strong Tenant Protections
These states have laws that safeguard your rights as a tenant. It will also protect you against unfair practices when your landlords evict tenants, withhold rent, or file cases against rent or lease violations. Other unfair rental practices from your landlords or property managers that you must watch out for are:
- Discriminate against tenants
- Enter without proper notice
- Avoiding or refusing maintenance
- Unlawful eviction
- Unlawful lease termination
- Limit privileges, services, or facilities
- Mishandling the security deposit
- Set different terms or rates
Is Boise, Idaho A Tenant-Friendly State?
Idaho is famously known as "the gem state" because of its abundance of breathtaking natural scenery. The state also has a low crime rate, making it a safe place to live for families with young kids. Due to these great qualities, the state is a popular spot for tenants who are looking for an area that offers an affordable cost of living while having a robust economy.
Idaho is a state that strikes a reasonable balance between landlord and tenant interests. This type of rental market set-up might also be one of the reasons for the state's progressive economy. One of the best cities to look into is Boise.
It is the most populous city in Idaho that offers great ordinances for tenants and landlords. Apart from its scenic outdoors and strong sense of community, the city also has a booming job market that is essential for tenants like you.
Find Your Next Rental Home in Boise with Help from Experts!
As a tenant, you must always stay informed about your rights regarding rent control measures, security deposit regulations, and eviction laws. Knowing how to protect yourself legally can give you peace of mind. You also have to understand how a tenant-friendly state can help you navigate your rental agreements more effectively and benefit from the stronger protections that your state provides.
With the help of 1st Rate Property Management, you can easily understand these parts of being a tenant because we offer a Resident Portal that can help you monitor your rental unit and contract. We also offer Tenant Resources and FAQs to help you kick off your rental process in Boise, Idaho.
Need help in finding the best home for you in Boise? Feel free to send us a message anytime and we will find a rental home for you!