Landlord and Tenant Lawyers in Oklahoma City

Find the right Tenant attorney in Oklahoma City, OK

Tenant Law in Oklahoma

In Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, relationships between tenants and landlords can occasionally become strained.

Landlords and tenants have various 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 Oklahoma City, OK

The most important and most apparent 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.

Moreover, landlords can bill the tenant for any damage they cause to the unit, whether it was intentional or negligent. The costs of repairs for such damage can be deducted from a tenant's security deposit, but it should be noted that tenants aren't responsible for usual wear and tear, over which they have little control.

Tenant's Rights in Oklahoma City, OK

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 reside. In Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 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 acceptable protection from the elements. There are numerous more factors that can be considered, as well, but those are some of the basics.

Tenants also have a right to ensure that the common areas of their apartment building are reasonably safe. Landlords are required to make sure that the common areas of their buildings meet Oklahoma City, Oklahoma's building codes, and that there are no conditions that create unnecessary safety hazards. They are obligated to make, at their own expense, the proper repairs.

Under federal and Oklahoma law, tenants are also entitled to protection against discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, marital status, or gender. Such discrimination can lead to grave civil penalties against the landlord. Landlords additionally cannot discriminate against tenants based on physical disability, and have to make reasonable accommodations for physically disabled tenants. For instance, they have to allow disabled tenants to make minor physical alterations to the unit (at the tenant's expense) to make it more accessible. Now, they don't need to allow the tenants to have the building remodeled. We're just talking about things like installing handrails in the bathroom, and similar things. The landlord can, however, require tenants to restore the apartment to its original condition, at the tenant's expense, once the tenant leaves.

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 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 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, an Oklahoma City, Oklahoma attorney can help you protect your rights.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma is the capital of, and largest city in, the state of Oklahoma. It has a population of over 551,000 people, and its greater metropolitan area has over 1 million residents.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma is home to a growing and diverse economy. It was once a major center for government employment and energy exploration, but its economy has transitioned into more stable and diverse sectors, helping to secure relative economic stability. In 2008, Forbes Magazine named Oklahoma City as one of the most "recession-proof" cities in the U.S. Its economy currently revolves around information technology, service, health care, and administration. It is home to 2 Fortune 500 companies, both of which are in the energy sector.

Oklahoma City has, unfortunately, become strongly associated with the 1995 terrorist attack against the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, which is still the largest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history. It should be obvious, however, that Oklahoma City is far more than the site of a historic tragedy, and has a great deal to offer residents and visitors alike.

If you live in Oklahoma City, and need legal services, it's very likely that an Oklahoma City, Oklahoma attorney can help you.

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