Landlord and Tenant Lawyers in South Bend

Find the right Tenant attorney in South Bend, IN

Tenant Law in Indiana

Relations between tenants and landlords in South Bend, Indiana can occasionally be touchy. The fact is that it's not easy to be a landlord or a tenant, particularly because landlords and tenants often don't understand the legal rights and responsibilities that apply to them.

Landlords and tenants have several rights and responsibilities. What follows is a partial list of the rights that landlords and tenants have, and the corresponding duties of the other party.

Landlord's Rights in South Bend, IN

Most obviously, landlords have a right to collect rent from their tenants. When a tenant agrees to pay a landlord a certain amount of money for the right to occupy the landlord's property, a contract is formed. Tenants have to hold up their end of the deal.

They also have a right to compensation for any damage that a tenant causes, beyond ordinary wear and tear. Landlords are free to bill the tenants for repairs to damage they caused, and deduct the cost from the security deposit.

Tenant's Rights in South Bend, IN

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

In addition to habitable living spaces, tenants also have a right to reasonably safe common areas. Common areas contain lobbies, hallways, and stairwells - essentially anything that everyone living in an apartment complex has access to. These common areas must fulfill the building standards of South Bend, Indiana, and must not contain any unnecessary safety hazards.

In the United States, and most likely under the laws of Indiana, it is unlawful for renters or sellers of real estate to discriminate on the basis of race, gender, national origin, color, or religion. Doing so can subject a landlord to harsh civil penalties. Also, they cannot discriminate based on physical disabilities, either. Tenants with physical disabilities, who are otherwise qualified to rent an apartment (they are able to pay, have good credit, etc.) are entitled to make reasonable modifications to the apartment to make it more accessible to them, and the landlord generally can't bar a tenant from doing this, as long as the modifications are not too extensive, and are reversible. The landlord can, however, require the tenant to remove the modifications, at the tenant's expense, when they move out.

And lastly, most state laws prevent landlords from arbitrarily evicting tenants. If the lease agreement is for a set period of time, the landlord generally can't evict the tenant until the lease expires, without a good reason. Valid causes for eviction include unpaid rent, illegal activities on the property, damage to the building caused by the tenant, and excessive noise.

Can a South Bend, Indiana Landlord/Tenant Lawyer Help?

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

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in South Bend

South Bend, Indiana is the county seat of St. Joseph County. It has a population of about 101,000 residents and known for being the cultural and economic hub for the "Michiana" region. South Bend's economy consists largely of health care, education, and small business. Many South Bend residents work at the nearby University of Notre Dame.

In addition, South Bend, Indiana is home to many large corporations. These include Honeywell, Crowe Horwath, and AM General. Schurz Communications and Martin's Supermarkets are headquartered in South Bend. Part of South Bend's economic success can be attributed to the city's efforts at improving its telecommunications infrastructure.

The culture of South Bend, Indiana is an unique blend of traditional cultures mixed with modern-day celebrations. Currently, Fat Tuesday and Dyngus Day are still celebrated annually. In particular, the city was infused with many Polish traditions during its early days in the 19th century. The city also hosts a number of large events including the World Pulse Festival and the South Bend Reggae Festival. Popular tourist attractions in South Bend Indiana include the South Bend Museum of Art and the Center for History.

South Bend lawyers offer legal assistance and services in a broad range of fields. Lawyers in South Bend, Indiana often represent their clients at the branch of St. Joseph County Courthouse that operates in the city. A South Bend attorney can represent you if you have questions or issues regarding the city's laws and ordinances.

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