Landlord and Tenant Lawyers in Liberty

Find the right Tenant attorney in Liberty, MO

Tenant Law in Missouri

Relations between tenants and landlords in Liberty, Missouri 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.

Both parties to a landlord/tenant relationship are controlled by an extensive body of laws and regulations, defining their legal rights and obligations.

Landlord's Rights in Liberty, MO

Most obviously, landlords have a right to collect rent from their tenants. When a tenant agrees to pay a landlord a specific 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.

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 usual wear and tear, for which tenants are not responsible.

Tenant's Rights in Liberty, MO

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 Liberty, Missouri are under a legal duty to make sure that their apartments are habitable. There are various 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 Liberty, Missouri, these areas must be kept in a safe condition, at the landlord's expense.

In the United States, and most likely under the statutes of Missouri, 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. Additionally, 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.

Lastly, tenants in most states have a right to be free from unfair eviction. Usually, 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 Liberty, Missouri Landlord/Tenant Lawyer Help?

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

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Life in Liberty

Liberty, Missouri is a city in Clay County, and is a suburb of Kansas City. It has a population of about 30,000 people.

Liberty, Missouri was first settled in 1822, and was made the county seat of Clay County shortly thereafter. In 1830, a lawyer named David Rice Atchison opened a practice in Liberty, where he took it upon himself to defend the religious freedoms of Mormon settlers, who were an unpopular and persecuted group at the time. During the Civil War, sympathies for the Confederacy were very prevalent in the area around Liberty, and this thwarted Missouri's plans to remain neutral in the conflict. Liberty, and other parts of Missouri, hosted several important battles of that war, so there are many historic landmarks in the area.

Modernly, Liberty is one of Kansas City's largest suburbs. Major corporations, such as Hallmark, have distribution centers in Liberty. It also hosts the headquarters of Ferrellgas, one of the nation's largest suppliers of Propane and Propane Accessories.

If you have a legal issue, chances are good that there's a lawyer in or around Liberty, Missouri who can handle it. Liberty, Missouri lawyers are competent and well-rounded, and should be able to help you.

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