Landlord and Tenant Lawyers in Johnson City

Find the right Tenant attorney in Johnson City, TN

Tenant Law in Tennessee

In Johnson City, Tennessee, relationships between tenants and landlords can sometimes become strained.

There are several rights and responsibilities that landlords and tenants have. It's important that each party is aware of their rights, and the rights of the other party. By knowing and respecting these rights, the risk of conflict should be reduced dramatically.

Landlord's Rights in Johnson City, TN

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.

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 Johnson City, TN

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 provide. Landlords in Johnson City, Tennessee are under a legal duty to make sure that their apartments are habitable. There are several factors that are considered in determining 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).

Additionally, tenants are entitled to common areas which are reasonably safe and clean, and free of physical obstacles. Areas such as lobbies, hallways, stairwells, and fire escapes must comply with the building codes of Johnson City, Tennessee. Additionally, any other unreasonable safety hazard, even if it doesn't violate a specific provision of a building code, can create liability for the landlord if it injures a tenant.

Tenants also have rights, under federal and Tennessee law, to not be victims of racial, ethnic, or gender discrimination in housing, whether they are renting or buying. Additionally, landlords are not allowed to discriminate against tenants based on physical disabilities. They must also allow physically-disabled tenants to make reasonable modifications to the apartment to make it more accessible. However, the landlord can require tenants to remove those modifications and restore the property to its original condition once the tenant moves 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 typically 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 Johnson City, Tennessee Landlord/Tenant Lawyer Help?

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

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Life in Johnson City

Johnson City is located in Carter, Sullivan and Washington Counties! It is in the state of Tennessee, with a population of around 63,152 people.

Forbes Magazine ranked it thirty-five in its list of the "Best Small Place for Business and Careers." Black Enterprise Magazine ranked the city eighth in the list for the "Best Place for African Americans to Retire."

Since the city provides such a great quality of life and is business-friendly, there are many attorneys available to support these residents and businesses. Attorneys in Johnson City are well-experienced and capable to handle the legal needs of both businesses and residents.

Some popular attractions include the Hands On! Regional Museum, Montrose Court, Watauga River, Boone Lake, and Gray Fossil Site.

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