Landlord and Tenant Lawyers in West Haven

Find the right Tenant attorney in West Haven, CT

Tenant Law in Connecticut

The relationship between a landlord and tenant in West Haven, Connecticut can sometimes be a touchy one. Landlords and tenants are not always clear on their respective rights and responsibilities.

There are several rights and responsibilities that landlords and tenants have. It's important that each party is aware of their rights, and the rights of the other party. By knowing and respecting these rights, the risk of conflict should be reduced dramatically.

Landlord's Rights in West Haven, CT

Landlords are, of course, entitled to collect rent from their tenants. If a tenant fails to pay the agreed-upon rent, the landlord is normally able to evict the tenant without too much trouble, though the process can sometimes get fairly complicated.

Additionally, landlords have a right to be compensated for damage a tenant causes to a rented unit, either intentionally or negligently. Landlords have a right to deduct repair costs from tenants' security deposits, unless the damage was caused by normal wear and tear, for which tenants are not responsible.

Tenant's Rights in West Haven, CT

Most basically, tenants have a right to get what they're paying for: a dwelling fit for human habitation. To this end, landlords have to ensure that the units they rent meet West Haven, Connecticut's minimum standards for habitability. These requirements are typicallyy not difficult to meet. They include basic amenities such as running water, electricity, a working phone line, heating, and protection from the elements.

Moreover, tenants are entitled to common areas that are reasonable safe and sanitary. The common areas of an apartment building would include lobbies, laundry rooms, stairwells, hallways, and fire escapes (basically, any part of the building which all of the tenants can access). In West Haven, Connecticut, these areas must be kept reasonably clean and safe.

Under the laws of Connecticut, and the United States, discrimination in housing on the basis of race, religion, or gender is strictly prohibited. Moreover, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, landlords must not discriminate against renters on the basis of any physical disability. They also have to permit the renter to make reasonable modifications to their apartment, to make it more accessible. Generally, landlords are only required to allow relatively minor and reversible modifications, and tenants cannot compel them to remodel the building, for example. Also, once the tenant leaves, the landlord can bill the tenant for the costs of restoring the apartment to its original condition.

Finally, tenants are legally protected from arbitrary eviction. Landlords usually must have a very good reason to evict a tenant before the lease agreement reaches the end of its term (at this point, they are of course allowed to decline to renew the lease). Of course, if the tenant breaches the lease agreement (such as by failing to pay rent, damaging the property, or violating other reasonable rules the landlord has put in the lease), the landlord, like a party to any other contract, is free to terminate the agreement and evict the breaching tenant.

Can a West Haven, Connecticut Landlord/Tenant Lawyer Help?

Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, chances are that you want to avoid conflict. But if you do end up in a seemingly irresolvable conflict with the other party, a West Haven, Connecticut attorney can help you protect your rights.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in West Haven

West Haven is known as "Connecticut's Youngest City", as it only recently incorporated 1961. Ironically, it is one of the oldest settlements in the nation dating back to the 1600's. The city is located in New Haven County and has a population of about 53,000. It was originally founded as a shipping and industrial center focusing on rubber production and buckle shops.

West Haven is home to several nationally-acclaimed schools such as the University of New Haven and Notre Dame High School. The city is also full of sites that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places such as the American Mills Web Shop and Old West Haven High School.

One of the main attractions in West Haven is the Savin Rock area. Savin Rock was originally home to a seaside resort and an amusement park for several decades. It has now been converted into a walk and beach path. These days the area hosts the annual Savin Rock Festival held every summer. The festival is a four-day event featuring music, food, and different musical bands every night.

Lawyers in West Haven, Connecticut spend a lot of their time in the New Haven County Superior Court, which hears a variety of different legal claims. Many West Haven lawyers are members of outstanding civic and professional organizations like the New Haven County Bar Association.

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