Landlord and Tenant Lawyers in Mentor

Find the right Tenant attorney in Mentor, OH

Tenant Law in Ohio

Relationships between landlords and tenants in Mentor, Ohio 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 Mentor, OH

The most important and most obvious right that a landlord has is the right to timely payment of rent from the tenant. This, of course, means that the tenant has a duty to pay rent.

Landlords also have a right to be compensated for damage to the building that a tenant causes, either intentionally or negligently. Any damage caused by a tenant, besides reasonable wear and tear, can be billed, and the landlord can deduct from the tenant's security deposit to pay for repairs.

Tenant's Rights in Mentor, OH

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 Mentor, Ohio'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.

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

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

And finally, most state laws prevent landlords from arbitrarily evicting tenants. If the lease agreement is for a set period of time, the landlord usually 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 Mentor, Ohio 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 Mentor, Ohio attorney can help you protect your rights.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Mentor

Mentor, Ohio is a city located in Lake County. As of the 2000 United States Census, it has a population of approximately 50,000 people.

In 2006, Money Magazine named Mentor, Ohio as one of the 100 best places to live in the United States.

Thanks to its moderate size, and the fact that it is near Cleveland, without being directly adjacent, Mentor boasts most of the modern ameneties and conveniences that one would expect from a large city, and the quiet, slightly pastoral charm of a small town.

Mentor, Ohio has a thriving retail sector, with a good blend of local and chain stores. The same goes for its dining options.

Mentor Ohio, being on the shore of Lake Erie, is also home to several outdoor recreational options, including Headlands Beach State Park, which has the longest natural beach on Lake Erie.

The area also offers boating, fishing, water-skiing, hiking, and camping, among many other outdoor activities.

Thanks to its size and diversity, Mentor, Ohio has a diverse and thriving legal community. If you are facing any sort of legal issue, the chances are good that a Mentor, Ohio attorney will be able to help you solve it.

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