Landlord and Tenant Lawyers in Spanish Fork

Find the right Tenant attorney in Spanish Fork, UT

Tenant Law in Utah

In Spanish Fork, Utah, relationships between tenants and landlords can occasionally become strained.

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 Spanish Fork, UT

The most basic right that landlords have is the right to be paid the agreed-upon rent by their tenant. Obviously, renting apartments is how landlords acquire a living, so they are entitled to collect the rent that the tenant agreed to pay.

Landlords also have a right to be free from damage to the rented unit. Tenants are expected not to damage their dwellings, intentionally or negligently. Landlords can deduct the cost of repairs from the tenant's security deposit. In general, tenants are not accountable for damage resulting from ordinary wear and tear.

Tenant's Rights in Spanish Fork, UT

At the most basic level, tenants have a basic right to what they're paying for: a habitable living environment. Thus, landlords in Spanish Fork, Utah must ensure that the units they rent to tenants meet some basic standards for human habitation. These requirements vary from state to state, but are often fairly easy to meet. There are no legal standards that rented units be pretty, particularly spacious, or luxurious. They simply have to be fit for human beings to live in them. To be considered "habitable," rented units must have water, electricity, some form of heating (if the local climate necessitates it), and adequate protection from the elements (proper insulation, no roof leaks, windows that close, etc.).

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 Spanish Fork, Utah, these areas must be kept in a safe condition, at the landlord's expense.

In the United States, and most likely under the rules of Utah, 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. Furthermore, 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, the laws of most states safeguard tenants from unfair eviction. In general, as long as a tenant is paying rent on time, and is not damaging the unit, they cannot be evicted before the term of the lease expires, unless there is a very good reason to do so (such as excessive noise caused by the tenant, or illegal activities in the apartment).

Can a Spanish Fork, Utah 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 Spanish Fork, Utah attorney can help you protect your rights.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Spanish Fork

With fourteen parks, ten tennis courts, and eight playgrounds, Spanish Forks Utah is one very active city. Named after a nearby river, Spanish Forks was first founded by missionaries. Spanish Forks is now home to 32,000 residents. Spanish Forks is located in Utah County, and has a city manager form of government.

Spanish Forks is home to major events throughout the year including: The Wind Festival, Fiesta Days, Festival of Lights, and the Harvest Moon Hurrah. The annual festivals draw visitors from near and far. Spanish Forks is also a very religious city, with a heavy concentration of Latter Day Saints, a religion that was first established in the region in 1855.

In addition to many other talented professionals, Spanish Forks is also home to some great lawyers. Spanish Forks lawyers are skilled in a wide range of practice areas and available to help their local client with any legal issue he or she may be facing.

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