Landlord and Tenant Lawyers in Syracuse

Find the right Tenant attorney in Syracuse, NY

Tenant Law in New York

Relationships between landlords and tenants in Syracuse, New York can get contentious. It's difficult to be a tenant or a landlord. If one or both parties are not aware of their legal rights and responsibilities, conflicts can arise.

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

Landlord's Rights in Syracuse, NY

First and foremost, landlords have a right to timely payment of rent from their tenants, at the agreed-upon rate. This, of course, imposes on tenants a duty to pay their rent in full, in a timely manner.

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 Syracuse, NY

Much like landlords have a right to get paid for the service they provide, tenants have a right to get what they pay for: a suitable place to live. In Syracuse, New York, all residential rental agreements carry an "implied warranty of habitability." This means that a landlord implicitly guarantees that any residence he or she rents will be fit for human habitation. In general, an unit will be automatically deemed uninhabitable if it lacks running water, electricity, heat, and adequate protection from the elements. There are many more factors that can be considered, as well, but those are some of the basics.

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 Syracuse, New York, these areas must be kept reasonably clean and safe.

Under the laws of New York, 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 Syracuse, New York 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 Syracuse, New York attorney can help you protect your rights.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Syracuse

Syracuse, New York is the county seat of Onondaga County, New York. It has a population of about 145,000 people.

The first Europeans to settle the Syracuse area were French missionaries, who arrived in 1615. Before and during the Civil War, Syracuse, New York became a major center for the abolitionist movement, and was an important stop in the Underground Railroad. During this period, many Syracuse, New York lawyers who were opposed to slavery helped ensure that the constitutional rights of freed and escaped slaves were protected.

Modernly, Syracuse is home to Syracuse University, which is a major research institution. Syracuse University has a well-known and prestigious law school. Many of its graduates have gone on to become highly successful Syracuse, New York lawyers.

If you are a resident of the Syracuse, New York area, and are facing a legal problem, or believe that your legal rights have been violated, you should not hesitate to speak with a Syracuse, New York attorney as soon as possible.

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