Landlord and Tenant Lawyers in Wilmington

Find the right Tenant attorney in Wilmington, DE

Tenant Law in Delaware

The relationship between a landlord and tenant in Wilmington, Delaware can occasionally be a touchy one. Landlords and tenants are not always clear on their respective rights and obligations.

There are numerous 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 Wilmington, DE

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

Also, 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 usual wear and tear, for which tenants are not liable.

Tenant's Rights in Wilmington, DE

The most basic right of a tenant is the right to a living space that's fit for human habitation. This is, after all, what they're paying the landlord to present. Landlords in Wilmington, Delaware are under a legal duty to make sure that their apartments are habitable. There are numerous factors that are considered in deciding if an unit is habitable or not, but, generally, an unit will not be deemed habitable if it lacks any of the following: running water, electricity, heat, and protection from the elements (such as proper insulation, and windows that close).

Furthermore, tenants have rights to common areas that are free of physical obstructions, as well as serious health and safety hazards. Common areas are the places in apartment buildings and other residential complexes which every tenant can access, and include hallways, stairwells, and fire escapes. In Wilmington, Delaware, these areas must be kept in a safe condition, at the landlord's expense.

Tenants also have rights, under federal and Delaware law, to not be victims of racial, ethnic, or gender discrimination in housing, whether they are renting or buying. Furthermore, landlords are not allowed to discriminate against tenants based on physical disabilities. They must also allow physically-disabled tenants to make reasonable modifications to the apartment to make it more accessible. Nonetheless, the landlord can require tenants to remove those modifications and restore the property to its original condition once the tenant moves out.

Lastly, tenants in most states have a right to be free from unfair eviction. Generally, lease agreements last for a set period of time, and both parties are bound by that contract. Landlords cannot arbitrarily evict clients while the lease is still in effect.

Can a Wilmington, Delaware Landlord/Tenant Lawyer Help?

Landlords and tenants usually prefer to avoid getting into fights with one another, for obvious reasons. A harmonious relationship is profitable for everyone involved. To that end, the advice of a good Wilmington, Delaware landlord/tenant attorney can help defuse arguments before they become too serious.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Wilmington

Wilmington, Delaware is the largest city in the state of Delaware. It currently has a population of about 71,000 people.

The area now known as Wilmington was first colonized by settlers from Sweden in 1638. After World War II, Wilmington, Delaware saw a large increase in prosperity and population, which led to the growth of suburbs around the city.

One of the largest employers in Wilmington is the Port of Wilmington, a large deep-water port, which brings in about 5 million tons of goods each year, playing an important role in the region's economy.

Thanks to its large and diverse economy, the lawyers of Wilmington, Delaware have a broad range of experience and competence. If you live in Wilmington, Delaware and need an attorney, chances are good that there's a Wilmington lawyer who can help you with whatever legal issues you might be facing.

Clients Rate LegalMatch Attorneys
(click to read reviews)

Nicholas M.
Nicholas M.

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law

Golden, CO

Carl M.
Carl M.

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law

Seattle, WA

David A.
David A.

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law

Walnut Creek, CA