What landlords and tenants can, can't do
THINGS LANDLORDS CAN DO
Deduct money from a security deposit for damages, excluding reasonable wear and tear.
Keep a security deposit if a tenant fails to claim it within a six-month period after ending a tenancy.
THINGS LANDLORDS CAN’T DO
It is against the law for a landlord to:
Willfully violate the tenant’s right to quiet enjoyment of their rented or leased property.
Try to circumvent lawful eviction procedures.
Stop or interrupt any utility service, other than for emergency repairs, whether it is landlord supplied to tenant or not. This includes but is not limited to water, heat, light, electricity, gas, telephone, sewerage, elevator and refrigerator service.
Seize, hold or deny tenant access to his or her rented unit or property, other than through judicial process.
Enter a tenant’s unit without prior consent, other than for emergency repairs.
Take any security deposit in an amount more than one month’s rent or $100, whichever is greater.
Take last month’s rent, a pet or key deposit, or any money that when combined with the security deposit would total more than one month’s rent.
THINGS LANDLORDS MUST DO
Keep all security deposit money in an account separate from any operational money.
Give a signed receipt for security deposits made in cash, stating the amount and where the deposit will be held.
Provide written notice to tenants that a written list of any conditions in need of repair in the rental unit must be given to landlord within a five-day period after tenants move in.
Return a security deposit, with any interest earned, and any deductions taken, to the tenant within 30 days of the end of the tenancy.
Provide the tenant a written list of damages for which the tenant is liable as well as repairs needed to correct such damage and proof of how it will be or has been repaired.
Provide a 30-day written notice of rent increase.
Hold and protect the belongings of a tenant for 28 days, without charge, following that tenant’s eviction of a premises.
Allow the tenant access to the property during the 28 days following an eviction in order to recover any items.
THINGS TENANTS CAN’T DO
Damage a landlord’s property.
Refuse a landlord’s access to unit to make necessary repairs or perform other reasonable and lawful functions at a rental property at reasonable times when given proper notice.
Prevent the landlord from completing necessary repairs.
Deny other tenants their right to quiet enjoyment of tenancy.
THINGS TENANTS MUST DO
Notify a landlord in writing of any repairs that must be made in the unit within a five-day period after they move in.
Provide a landlord with a new forwarding address. This binds the landlord to the responsibility of returning a security deposit within 30-day period after ending a tenancy.
