Customizing Important Materials for Your Landlord Business

Being a landlord can be profitable—but only if you handle your business in the proper manner. Too many property management companies tolerate organizational inefficiencies that cost them significant revenue. And too many real estate investors assume that being a landlord is an easy way to either make extra money or earn their primary living. However, renting out property is anything but easy. Many complications can arise during your time as a landlord, though this does not mean you have to lose money or resources as a result. With the proper training and educational resources, you can thrive as a property manager or landlord despite the business complexities.

A common mistake of landlords and their managers is to assume they will have the ability—and time—to learn everything they need to know on their own. However, it is all too easy to become consumed by the actual landlord practice and fail to engage in self-education. Even if you have the time and dedication to sit down and conduct research, if you lack familiarity with complex statutory language and legal questions, you may miss something important.

One simple solution for Connecticut landlords is to contact the Landlord Law Firm. Our legal team not only represents landlords in a wide range of complicated legal matters, but also provides business consulting advice to landlords. For example, we devise training and education materials tailored to your specific landlord business so that you can be aware of legal issues while your main focus remains on your operations. Our history and experience allow us to answer immediate operational questions while recognizing the broader subjects that will benefit your company’s future.

Understanding Landlord-Tenant Regulations

An expansive body of law regulates the relations between landlords and tenants in Connecticut, including the rights and responsibilities of each. These laws apply to many different aspects of the relationship between landlords and tenants, including the following:

• Fair housing requirements
• Rental agreements, including prohibited and permissible terms
• Terms of tenancy or payments in absence of lease agreements
• Subsidy programs and below market rate housing
• Forms of payments and receipt requirements
• Rules regarding environmental hazards such as lead or bed bug infestations
• Landlord responsibilities to abide by health and safety codes
• Landlord responsibilities to makes repairs and maintain premises
• Tenant responsibilities to repair property damage
• Utility responsibilities
• When rules for use of the property are permitted
• Abandonment of the unit by tenants
• Remedies for breach of lease agreements
• Permissible entry by landlord into units
• Prohibitions against retaliation against tenants
• Eviction procedures and requirements
• Deceased tenants

As you can see, many regulations are relevant to the business of being a landlord—and the above are only some examples. If you are unaware of a certain legal provision, you risk violating that law and facing liabilities. Furthermore, you may not be aware of your own rights under the law and may miss opportunities to seek relief for tenant violations.

The Landlord Law Firm knows how difficult it is for anyone to become aware of all of the many important laws and regulations faced by landlords. Even if you have legal knowledge, educating yourself can be time-consuming and can take away from time you need to dedicate to your business. We will identify the laws that you should recognize and put together training and educational materials regarding these laws so that you do not have to wade through pages of legislation.

Staying Apprised of Changes in the Law

Even if you are a highly experienced landlord with the confidence that you understand relevant landlord-tenant laws, you should always be aware that the law is fluid and can change at any time. Landlord laws and regulations are no different. You may not be aware of new guides published on fair housing requirements or changes in subsidized housing regulations until you are accused of violating them.

The attorneys at the Landlord Law Firm make it our jobs to stay on top of any new developments in the law that may affect our clients and to notify you of any necessary changes in your operations and policies as soon as possible. We will work with you directly to ensure compliance with any changes that affect your operations. In addition, we have a catalog of hundreds of articles regarding landlord advocacy where we inform landlords of relevant changes in the law.

Streamlining Operations

A major challenge for many landlords when they begin, or as their businesses grow, is how to streamline operations and get the biggest returns on their investments. The Landlord Law Firm has extensive knowledge of both landlord law and business practices, and can provide training and education for you and your staff about how to maximize efficiency. Some operations on which we regularly advise our clients include:

• Seeking reliable tenants
• Tenant screenings and applications
• Drafting and reviewing lease agreement
• Property maintenance and repairs
• Hiring a property management company—or not
• Recordkeeping and document retention
• Handling requests for reasonable accommodations
• Operational budgeting
• Ending tenancies

Improving all of your operational and business practices not only can make your landlord business more profitable, but it can also increase your peace of mind and improve the overall reward of being a landlord.

Avoiding Legal Conflicts

Sometimes, knowing the law is not enough to avoid legal disputes. Instead, you need to ensure that your policies and practices are designed to foster positive relations with your tenants and avoid conflicts whenever possible. Avoiding legal conflicts often starts with favorable and enforceable lease agreements and continues throughout every interaction you may have with your tenants. We can provide specific materials regarding your risks of potential conflicts and how to prevent them.

Contact Our Office for More Information About Landlord Training and Education

If you are interested in having specific training and education materials created for your business to improve your practices and avoid complications—or if you wish to discuss our many other services—please do not hesitate to contact the Landlord Law Firm today, through our website or by calling our office at (203) 874-4747.

Helping Landlords Address Tenants Who Pose Serious Risks

When landlords select tenants and they sign a lease agreement, landlords naturally hope for successful tenancies. However, even when you properly screen your tenants, they may violate terms of the lease and cause problems.

You may be able to resolve lease violations by simply requesting that the tenants cure the violations to avoid possible eviction—and the tenants may do so and continue leasing the property. In other situations, however, lease violations may be so serious that negotiation and discussion are not valid options and you will need to head directly into the eviction process.

Evicting a tenant who has committed a serious lease violation is a matter that you should always handle with care and in accordance with state and federal laws. At the Landlord Law Firm, we have assisted many landlords in evicting tenants after serious lease violations, so we can provide counsel and guide you through the process. Call our office to discuss your situation if you need to evict these types of tenant.

What Constitutes a Serious Lease Violation?

Serious lease violations vary widely, and may include:

• Illegal drug sales or manufacture
• Domestic disturbances
• Threats or violence toward other tenants
• Any other criminal activity that may threaten the safety or health of other tenants

Criminal activity is—of course—cause for concern, and landlords should discuss their options with experienced landlord attorneys as soon as possible.

In addition, chronic nonpayment of rent can also be considered to be a serious lease violation because it can cause significant financial harm to a landlord. If a tenant has failed to pay rent for a period of time, it may certainly be considered serious enough to consider ending the tenancy. No matter what scenario you face, the Landlord Law Firm is here to assist you.

Protecting Yourself With a Lease Agreement

The first and foremost step that all landlords can take is to protect themselves with thorough lease agreements that specifically state that landlords may terminate leases upon serious tenant violations. Not only do such lease provisions notify tenants that you will not accept such serious violations, they also make clear your right to evict upon these violations.

Having a lease agreement that addresses the right to terminate for serious violations is especially important for housing authorities and owners of public housing. Federal law mandates that a public housing lease agreement must state that the landlord may terminate the lease in the event of drug-related activity in the area, violent criminal activity or crimes that may put others at risk, parole violations, or fugitive status. This preserves the right of the landlord to remove that tenant from the public housing property to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of others in the property.

At the Landlord Law Firm, we regularly assist landlords in drafting thorough leases that clearly address the consequences for serious lease violations to hopefully reduce the chances of such issues or to make the eviction process easier for landlords whose tenants violate leases.

Helping You End the Tenancy

In the case of a serious lease violation, ending the tenancy is often the best solution for a landlord’s peace of mind and business, and for the other tenants. It is important to remember to always handle these situations in a careful manner.

Consider safety first. While not all serious lease violators may be dangerous—such as those who fail to pay rent—others who engage in criminal activity may take serious action once they learn you are evicting them. Let a professional handle the legal process and do not get personally involved with the tenant during this process.

The Landlord Law Firm can assist you with every step of the eviction process in accordance with Connecticut law, including:

• Properly preparing and issuing proper default notices pursuant to the lease or applicable laws.
• Properly preparing the Notice to Quit, which clearly states the reason for eviction and the time in which the tenant has to vacate the premises.
• Having the Notice to Quit properly served by a professional legal process server or State Marshal (which may be wise in the case of criminal activity).
• Properly preparing a Complaint and Summons to be served on the tenant by a State Marshal if the tenant does not comply with the Notice to Quit.
• Helping you obtain a default judgment and an execution for the tenant to be removed by the State Marshal if the tenant fails to respond to the Complaint and Summons in time.
• If the tenant does answer the Complaint and Summons and requests an appearance in court to fight the eviction, representing you at all court appearances and trials, if needed. Once an eviction is secured, you can obtain an execution for the tenant to be removed.

While the summary process of eviction is never pleasant, it can be necessary to end a tenancy plagued by serious lease violations. Furthermore, with the qualified representation of a Connecticut landlord attorney practicing landlord-tenant law, the eviction process is significantly simpler for you. If you would like to read more about lease violations, evictions, or other topics relevant to Connecticut landlord advocacy, please visit our library of informative articles.

Contact an Experienced Connecticut Landlord Attorney as Soon as Possible

Dealing with tenants who cause serious problems can be difficult. At the Landlord Law Firm, we will start at the very beginning to review and improve your business practices to try to prevent problems from arising in the first place. We can advise you about more effective tenant screening processes if needed, and ensure all of your lease agreements are clearly and effectively drafted. Please call our office for assistance at (203) 874-4747 or write to us to discuss our services further.

Assisting Property Managers and Landlords in Dealing With Problem Tenants

All landlords hope they will not encounter problem tenants and it is likely that you would never sign lease agreements with new tenants with the expectation that they will cause stress, headaches, or financial losses. Unfortunately, no matter how careful your screening process is, problem tenants are a common among landlords in Connecticut, and you must handle the situation appropriately to protect your rights and interests as a landlord.

At the Landlord Law Firm, we can guide you through the process of dealing with a problem tenant—whether it’s resolving the matter with the tenant and finding common ground, or terminating the lease agreement and seeking an eviction. If you believe that a problem may be arising in one of your properties, it is never too early to discuss your rights and options with a highly experienced attorney at our firm.

Do You Have a Problem Tenant?

Tenants can cause many different types of problems. Such issues may not seem so serious when isolated, but when repeated they may begin affecting your finances, your other tenants, and your overall peace of mind. Common examples of problems you may have with tenants include:

• Hoarding
• Repeated late or missed payments
• Unauthorized roommates or subleases
• Complaints from neighbors about excessive noise or foul smells
• Suspected illegal activity
• Damage to property

When you successfully handle a problem tenant, you generally get one of two outcomes: The tenant either ceases the offending behavior or you effectively end the tenancy. Not every situation is that simple, however, so keep the following in mind when dealing with a problem tenant.

Look to your lease agreement – The groundwork for effective resolution of tenant issues should be in the lease agreement signed by the tenant. Your lease should clearly state unacceptable behaviors for tenants, including smoking, excessive noise, pets, roommates, nonpayment of rent, and more. The lease should also set out the implications of such lease violations and your rights to enforce its provisions as well as applicable laws.

Keep careful records – Tenants likely will not admit their wrongful behavior or violations of lease agreements. To ensure your interests are protected, carefully document all interactions you have with tenants, which can include informal or formal warnings, requests for rent payments, communications regarding complaints from other tenants, and more.

Require anyone on your property management team to keep accurate records of what happened. This can help to avoid any claims of discrimination, retaliation, or other unfair treatment in violation of fair housing laws. If the tenant’s conduct warrants involvement from city officials or authorities, obtaining copies of their findings and reports will also assist in addressing the situation legally.

Know your rights – Landlord-tenant laws specifically address legal remedies for problem tenants, and these laws can vary depending on your state and locality. It is imperative that you discuss your rights with a law firm with extensive knowledge of landlord rights under the law in Connecticut so you are certain about the possible legal remedies you can seek.

Take Legal Action When Necessary

You must maintain safe, healthy properties for all of your tenants, but ignoring problem tenants often puts your relationship with other tenants at risk. For this reason, taking action is often necessary to address and resolve these matters. You can go about this several ways, and a skilled landlord lawyer practicing landlord-tenant law can help determine the most favorable and efficient manner of resolving any situation.

In some cases, discussing the matter with tenants in a business-like manner may be enough to rectify the issues. Be sure to be respectful and objective with the tenants—even if they become emotional. An attorney who is experienced in such communications can help devise a plan for the conversation or can assist with negotiations to resolve the matter. When you successfully handle problem tenants in way, they are not displaced and you are not forced to find a new tenant or seek an eviction. Everyone wins.

However, sometimes discussions and negotiations are not enough to resolve problems with certain tenants. Our attorneys have deep experience in countless circumstances where legal action is necessary and appropriate, and we can advise you when we believe this may be the case. Our legal team will then guide you through the entire process of serving proper notice under Connecticut law and filing a complaint to compel vacancy if the tenant refuses to comply with your notice to vacate. You must follow specific procedures in these situations to successfully evict problem tenants, and our landlord attorneys will protect your rights throughout every step of the process.

Be Prepared to Handle Problem Tenants

While no landlord expects to have a problem tenant, you can take certain steps to prepare yourself and your property management staff in the event such tenants present themselves. We can help you with all of the following:

• Training and education – We can devise specific materials intended to train and educate you and your staff about how to handle tenants in ways that best preserve your rights under the law.

• Policies and procedures – We will assist in developing policies and procedures so that you can consistently and efficiently handle problem tenants.

• Thorough lease agreements – We can draft lease agreements that thoroughly address unacceptable behavior and clearly specify your remedies as a landlord should a tenant violate those provisions.

Discuss Your Situation with an Experienced Connecticut Landlord Attorney

If you need any assistance in dealing with problem tenants or have any other concerns as a Connecticut landlord, please look no further than the Landlord Law Firm. We have a significant amount of information available in our landlord advocate catalog, but to discuss a specific situation or concern, please call (203) 874-4747 or write to us to consult with an experienced landlord lawyer today.

Representing Landlords When Addressing Tenants Who Become Nuisances

Many people think the term nuisance refers to annoying or bothersome people. However, nuisance is also a legal term that refers to a party who engages in specific types of actions that affect others’ abilities to use and enjoy their properties. Private property owners can bring nuisance claims in civil court to stop the behavior, but dealing with a tenant who becomes a nuisance can be a different matter for a Connecticut landlord.

If you believe you have a tenant who engages in nuisance conduct, you should not delay in discussing your options for addressing the matter with an experienced landlord rights attorney. At the Landlord Law Firm, we have helped hundreds of property owners with more than 50,000 units successfully, efficiently, and cost-effectively deal with a wide range of problematic tenant behaviors.

Common Examples of Nuisance Conduct

Connecticut landlord-tenant laws have a specific provision in Section 47a-32 that defines the term “nuisance” in the landlord context to mean “conduct which interferes substantially with the comfort or safety of other tenants or occupants of the same or adjacent buildings or structure.” Examples nuisance behaviors include:

• Excessive noise due to music, partying, or arguments
• Foul odors due to pets, smoking, or other causes
• Excessive waste or trash
• Harassment of others

In addition to the above, Connecticut law defines certain tenant behaviors as “a serious nuisance,” which allow for an expedited summary process to remove the tenant. Such behaviors include:

• Inflicting physical harm or threatening to do so (with the apparent ability to cause harm) on a landlord or another tenant.
• Willful and significant destruction of the premises or building.
• Any other conduct that creates the risk of serious and immediate danger to the landlord or other tenants.
• Using the property to sell illegal drugs or for prostitution. (Note that drug sales that take place within 1,500 feet public housing are considered a serious nuisance).

How you handle nuisance conduct as a landlord will, of course, depend largely on the nature and severity of the conduct in question. Our attorneys at the Landlord Law Firm will evaluate your specific situations and help you devise plans to handle your nuisance tenants.

How to Address Nuisance Tenants

Some nuisance tenants may not be harmful, but their bothersome behaviors may simply cause complications with your other tenants. Such tenants may not realize that their behaviors are issues until you warn them of the possible consequences of continuing their behaviors—which could include terminating their lease agreements.

In certain situations, giving tenants informal verbal warnings that continued behavior will lead to eviction is enough to get them to stop the offending behaviors. Trying this approach first whenever possible can save all of you time, money, and stress—they do not have to find new places to live and you do not have to find new tenants.

If the behavior continues and is not considered a “serious nuisance,” our attorneys can help you prepare and serve a pre-termination notice, which, in certain situations, gives tenants a period of time to repair the damages or pay for their repairs. Otherwise, this notice serves as a necessary prerequisite for taking further legal action should the behaviors continue or the tenants fail to remedy the situations.

However, if behaviors in question constitute a serious nuisance under the law, you may not need to provide a preliminary notice to the tenants. Instead, you may choose to serve them with a Notice to Quit that only gives them three days to voluntarily vacate the premises. In such situations, you want to be as careful as possible during these three days in case the tenant reacts by again engaging in harmful, criminal, or threatening behavior.

By discussing your tenant’s nuisance conduct with a knowledgeable landlord attorney, you can find the right solution to resolve the matter in the most efficient manner possible. Sometimes losing a nuisance tenant can actually increase profitability in the long run because it makes your property a more enjoyable place to live for other tenants.

Representing You in Eviction Proceedings When Needed

Whether tenants pose a nuisance or a serious nuisance, they may fail to leave the premises upon request or demand. In such situations, you must turn to the courts to obtain an eviction judgment and serve your tenants with a Complaint and Summons. Whether you obtain a default judgment or must go to trial, our landlord attorneys will represent you through every stage of the legal process.

Consult With a Highly Skilled Connecticut Landlord Attorney for More Information

Having any type of problem tenant is always stressful, and it is understandable that a landlord may not want to immediately resort to eviction unless it is absolutely necessary. Eviction means that you will lose rental income and have to go through the process of turning your unit and finding and screening new tenants. With the Landlord Law Firm, you can trust that we will explore every possible solution to resolve your problem before resorting to eviction—unless the situation is serious enough to warrant immediate eviction.

Our skilled legal team commits their entire practice to being advocates for landlords in Connecticut. We have a catalog of articles on hundreds of landlord advocacy topics available for you to browse or search. However, if you have specific questions or concerns regarding your particular circumstances as a landlord, never hesitate to contact one of our landlord lawyers directly to discuss your situation and your options. Please call the Landlord Law Firm at (203) 874-4747 or write to us through our website to learn more about how we can help you today.

Working With Landlords Involved in Litigation with Tenants

Owning rental property in Connecticut—whether a few multi-family apartments or hundreds of units in large community developments—can be an excellent investment. Unfortunately, it can also be exceptionally frustrating, especially when your tenants violate the terms of their leases. As a landlord, ensuring that your tenants abide by the terms of their leases is critical to protecting your properties and getting returns on your investments. Sometimes you must resort to litigation to effectively protect and enforce your legal rights.

The rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants are well-defined under Connecticut law, and many legal options are often available to landlords who are trying to enforce the terms of their leases. For this reason, if you are having problems with a commercial or residential tenant, please discuss your situation with an experienced Connecticut landlord attorney as soon as possible.

Representing Landlords in Many Types of Litigation

Many types of litigation can arise in relationships between landlords and tenants. We regularly work with landlords who have legal disputes with tenants. The following are just a few of the many issues we’ve helped to resolve.

Eviction and Lease Enforcement Litigation

Your residential or commercial lease is the legal agreement that memorializes your and your tenants’ legal rights and responsibilities. It exists to protect all of the parties’ interests. Tenants who violate the lease can have a detrimental impact on your investments and the condition of your properties. Our lawyers will thoroughly review the terms of your leases, determine whether your tenants are in violation of the leases, and take appropriate action. In some cases, that may involve direct communication with the tenants to cure the lease violations, while in others, it may require initiating eviction proceedings in the appropriate court.

Nonpayment of Rent

Payment of rent is the most fundamental responsibility a tenant has to a landlord. It is the quid pro quo that allows the tenant to occupy the property. When a tenant fails to pay rent, a landlord can proceed in many ways. Often, landlords would rather have their tenants pay the rent and remain current rather than proceed with evictions. Attorneys can often help make that happen. Sometimes, a simple letter on law firm letterhead is enough to induce delinquent tenants to pay rent, solving the problems without needing to resort to judicial intervention.

Sometimes, however, a tenant simply refuses to pay, leaving a landlord with few options other than eviction. Importantly, a landlord does not have the immediate right to enter into the property and start moving the tenant’s things out just because a tenant has not paid rent– you must still go through the procedure set forth by Connecticut law. As a result, if you must evict a tenant for nonpayment of rent, retain a Connecticut landlord lawyer who is familiar with the relevant state laws.

Lease Violations

Many leases contain provisions that restrict the ways in which tenants may use leased properties. This can range from clauses that prohibit residential tenants from keeping pets to those that restrict the types of business in which commercial tenants can engage. When tenants violate these provisions, they can hurt the value of the properties and may even completely deprive landlords of the economic use of the properties. As a result, landlords must do everything they can to enforce the provisions of their leases.

As in cases where non-payment of rent is at issue, not every lease violation requires that a landlord take a case to court to rectify the situation. In some cases, tenants may not even be aware of the violations and are happy to correct them once the matters are brought to their attention. In others, however, tenants may deny the existence of the violations or simply refuse to take corrective actions, leaving landlords with few options other than eviction. An eviction based on a lease violation is subject to certain complex procedural rules, however, so a landlord needs to consult with an attorney before pursuing eviction against a tenant in violation of a lease.

Nuisance

Some tenants engage in nuisance conduct that can result in complaints, legal issues, and difficulty renting out other units in multi-unit buildings. Examples include:

• Loud parties
• Offensive odors
• Leaving trash in inappropriate areas
• Loud or aggressive pets

In certain situations, a landlord can evict tenants for nuisance conduct, and an attorney can help determine whether eviction is an appropriate or desirable resolution in your circumstance.

Serious Lease Violations

Some lease violations are so serious that they warrant immediate legal action. Landlords should never tolerate domestic violence, criminal activity that puts others at risk of harm, or severe hoarding. If you believe your tenant is engaging in these or other serious lease violations, immediately call an attorney.

Problem Tenants

As hard as you may try, as a landlord, it is next to impossible to avoid problem tenants. These tenants may provide multiple grounds for legal action against them. The representation and counsel of an attorney can help you deal with problem tenants and can also pursue legal remedies against them if necessary.

Speak to a Landlord Litigation Attorney Today

If you have a tenant who you believe is in violation of a lease, call a Connecticut landlord attorney as soon as you can to ensure that your legal rights are protected. At the Landlord Law Firm, we are committed to helping landlords protect their properties and their investments, and we use every legal means necessary to ensure compliance with the terms of every lease. While we are fully prepared to take every case to court if necessary, we also aggressively pursue settlements with tenants to save everyone involved the costs associated with taking cases to trial.

To learn more about landlord-tenant law in Connecticut, please access our easy-to-search catalog of hundreds of articles of interest to landlords and property managers.

To schedule a consultation with one of our lawyers and learn how we can help you, call the Landlord Law Firm today at (203) 874-4747 or send us an email through our online contact form.

Standing up for Landlord Rights Under the Law

The laws in Connecticut are thorough when it comes to setting out rights and requirements for both landlords and tenants. Such laws are the basis of many of the common allegations, challenges, or conflicts that arise with tenants. When a law is not in your favor in a particular legal matter, costly legal proceedings, liabilities, or other losses can significantly affect your personal or corporate bottom line.

While the legislature should always aim to be fair to landlords and tenants alike, many Connecticut laws continue to be skewed in favor of tenants, which can make certain actions and remedies difficult or impossible for landlords. At the Landlord Law Firm, however, we know there are always legislative opportunities to improve the landlord experience. For this reason, we are committed to actively facilitating constructive changes in the law.

Keeping You Informed

Being a landlord requires you to remain in full compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. Among other things, landlord-tenant laws in Connecticut apply to:

• >Permissible and prohibited terms in lease agreements
• Unlawful discrimination or retaliation against tenants
• Repairs and maintenance
• Bed bug infestations
• Forms of rental payments
• Fire alarms and sprinkler systems>
• Legal remedies for landlords in many different situations
• Permissible landlord entry to properties
• Eviction procedures and rights

Some landlord laws may go against what you believe are common sense, and it can be all too easy to violate the law while thinking you are handling a specific situation in the proper manner. For this reason, you must stay fully aware of all relevant laws, and the guidance of our attorneys will ensure your compliance and prevent problems whenever possible.

Landlord laws can be even further complicated in Connecticut because the legislature can change certain provisions on a regular basis. It is all too common that a landlord violates a law or fails to exercise certain rights without knowing that the law changed.

At the Landlord Law Firm, we keep all of our clients fully informed of any legislative developments or changes so they can prepare for and adjust their procedures accordingly. We also regularly post updates to the law on our easy-to-access Landlord Advocate catalog, which includes hundreds of articles with information relevant to being a Connecticut landlord or property manager.

Fighting for Positive Legislative Changes

At the Landlord Law Firm, our number-one goal is always to protect the rights and interests of landlords in Connecticut to prevent any legal complications or unnecessary liabilities. We have found that one of the best ways to go about protecting your rights is to start at the root of those rights—the laws set out by the Connecticut legislature and enforced by regulatory agencies.

Our firm dedicates significant time to reviewing where potential changes in landlord-tenant law can significantly improve the experience of our landlord clients and to determine the best possible way of enacting change. We have extensive knowledge of the legislative process in our state, which gives our attorneys a great degree of success in achieving legislative changes. Landlords should always have active advocates before the state legislature. This is an important part of our legal practice because it is a major method of advocating for the rights of our clients.

Helping You Become Your Own Advocate

Even if you are not a landlord’s attorney, you can still become involved in effecting favorable legislative change in Connecticut. One way to do so is to contact a landlord organization that takes an active role in legislative change. Through such an organization, you can make your voice heard and input noted. The organization will present the opinions of Hartford landlords to the legislature in appropriate and professional ways.

Two such organizations in Connecticut that our firm may recommend are the Connecticut Apartment Association (“CTAA”) and the National Apartment Association (“NAA”). Those memberships can help you take proactive roles in expanding your own rights while we advocate for those rights through our legislative efforts.

Knowing That Changes Still Need to Be Made

At the Landlord Law Firm, we know that there is always room for improvement in Connecticut law regarding landlord rights. Even after a legislative victory, we will not become complacent, but will keep searching for additional changes that can favor our clients. This important part of our legal practice reduces legal issues and costs for our clients and is, therefore, a top priority for our legal team.

Consult With Our Highly Skilled Connecticut Landlord Lawyers for More Information

When you seek legal assistance as a landlord, you want to know that your attorney is committed to protecting landlord rights and is thoroughly knowledgeable regarding all of the nuances of landlord laws in Connecticut. At the Landlord Law Firm, we actively involve ourselves in the landlord-tenant legislation and regulations, which allows us to stay apprised of any potential changes in relevant laws and proactively fight for your best interests.

The primary goal of our firm is to improve your experience as a landlord and bring you as much success as possible. To learn more about the many ways the Landlord Law Firm in Hartford can assist you, please call our office at (203) 874-4747 today.

Representing Landlords With Issues Related to Lease Violations on Residential or Commercial Property

The lease agreement your tenant signs is the primary document that establishes all of the rights and responsibilities of the landlord and the tenant. Many lease agreements address important issues that could have an impact on the value of your property, so make sure that your tenants understand and honor the terms of the agreement.

Unfortunately, this does not always happen, and many landlords throughout the state are forced to deal with tenants who violate the terms of their leases. If you have found yourself in this situation, you may not know how to proceed, and could worry about what may happen if you pursue legal action. Fortunately, there is help available.

The Landlord Law Firm is committed to providing landlords and property managers with information, advice, and representation regarding lease violations and other aspects of Connecticut landlord-tenant law. We have an easy-to-search catalog of hundreds of articles that property managers and landlords will find interesting, and our lawyers are available for consultations to discuss your specific legal issues. To schedule an appointment, call our office today at (203) 874-4747.

Common Lease Violations

Commercial and residential leases are the contractual agreements that identify the non-statutory rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants. They can contain many clauses and terms that limit what a tenant may or may not do with or on the property. Common examples of lease violations include:

• Nonpayment of rent – The landlord-tenant relationship is based on the idea that the landlord will allow the tenant to occupy a property in exchange for periodic rent. As a result, the most important part of a lease agreement is a description of the leased property, and the amount that the tenant will pay in rent and at what interval the tenant will pay it. When tenants fail to pay their rent, they are in violation of their leases, and landlords have the right to take legal action.
• Keeping pets – Anyone with a pet understands that dogs, cats, birds, and other domestic animals invariably cause damage to their living spaces. As a result, to protect property values, many residential landlords place clauses in their leases that prohibit tenants from keeping pets. Unfortunately, tenants sometimes violate these clauses and try to keep pets anyway.
• Restrictions on subleases – Both residential and commercial tenants may violate clauses that restrict subleases. In many cases, these situations arise when tenants try to mitigate their rent by leasing extra space to third parties. As a landlord, it is important to fully evaluate people or businesses that use your property, both to protect your property and minimize your legal liabilities.

Resolving Lease Violations Without Going to Court

It’s often possible to resolve lease violations without going to court. We regularly help our clients determine what to say to their tenants and how to say it to resolve situations before they escalate.

You may resolve issues informally and maintain your relationships with your existing tenants and save money. Generally speaking, if you suspect or know that a tenant is in violation of a lease, you simply try bringing it up in a conversation and provide an opportunity to remedy the violation. If you cannot resolve the matter this way, it is likely a good idea to discuss the matter with a lawyer. In some cases, the involvement of an attorney will result in compliance with the terms of a lease because it indicates imminent legal action.

Pursuing Evictions Based on Lease Violations

Connecticut law controls how landlords may pursue evictions based on lease violations. Generally speaking, the landlord must first provide the tenant with a default notice of some sort. If the default is not or cannot be remedied, your landlord attorney will then serve a notice to quit, which provides the tenant notice that the landlord is pursuing eviction.

Once the notice to quit has been served, the tenant may voluntarily leave the property and tender possession back to the landlord. If the period in which the tenant may leave lapses and he is still in possession of the property, the landlord may proceed with an eviction through court.

This overview is a very general description of the eviction process. Keep in mind that you must follow specific rules. For example, for notice to quit based on nonpayment of rent, tenants have no right to remedy the nonpayment and can be subject to eviction even if they pay the money owed. Tenants, however, may have 15 days to remedy other violations before you can proceed further with the legal process. You may be able to skip parts of the process in the case of a “serious nuisance.”

These are just a few examples of how complicated evictions can be, and any errors made in the eviction process can result in a problem tenant staying in a property much longer than necessary. For this reason, any landlord pursuing eviction should do so with the assistance of an attorney.

Call the Landlord Law Firm Today to Speak With a Connecticut Lease Violations Lawyer

As a landlord, lease violations can have serious impacts on the value of your properties and your financial situation. For this reason, address all lease violations as soon as you can—and in ways that maximize your chances to solve problems as efficiently as possible. The lawyers of the Landlord Law Firm will review the facts of your case and advise you as to how best to proceed. To schedule a consultation with one of our landlord lawyers, call our office today at (203) 874-4747 or send us an email through our online contact form.

Helping You Achieve Your Goals as a Landlord Through Effective Lease Agreements

A lease agreement is the most important legal document a landlord has because it maps out the terms of the relationship between landlords and their tenants. Surprisingly, however, too many landlords underestimate the power of a lease agreement and the harm that can occur if an agreement is not carefully considered, drafted, and reviewed before signing. Because landlords may sign hundreds of leases, they may take for granted that certain lease terms are adequate in every situation, and may later incur financial liability or legal conflict that would have been avoidable by contacting an experienced attorney to review and draft the lease.

At the Landlord Law Firm, we regularly assist Connecticut landlords with the review and drafting of effective and enforceable lease agreements that adequately protect their rights and interests. If you would like to discuss our services regarding lease agreements, please do not wait to consult with a member of our highly experienced landlord-focused legal team.

Don’t Make These Common Lease Mistakes

A lease is the primary tool in providing you, as a landlord, with all possible protections under Connecticut landlord-tenant laws. Nevertheless, many landlords continually make mistakes regarding lease agreements that lead to legal liabilities and financial losses.

Landlords make three common mistakes regarding their leases:

Not having a lease agreement – While it may seem shocking, many landlords still agree to rent to tenants without signing a written agreement outlining the terms of the arrangement. Perhaps you rented to someone you knew or the tenant seemed trustworthy, so you agreed to the rental based on a handshake alone. In every case, have a written agreement that was reviewed and signed by both the landlord and the tenant so it is clear that both parties understood and agreed to their rights, responsibilities, and available remedies. If you already have a tenant with no lease agreement, it is not too late to draft one to protect your rights.

Using a boilerplate lease – Many landlords try to save money by downloading a lease agreement from the internet or purchasing a lease from a store. These leases have standardized boilerplate language that does not address any specific issues with a tenant, property, or landlord. Often, these leases are not specific to your state’s laws and may not fully protect your rights or may have unenforceable provisions. While you may believe you are saving money by not having a lease agreement specifically tailored to your situation, you may find that the losses suffered by a lease conflict may be significantly costlier than the funds you initially thought you had saved. If you currently have a boilerplate lease, you should have our attorneys review it for any possible addendums that may better protect your rights.

Failing to update a lease over time – Simply because you had a lease drafted for your specific property at one point in time does not mean that the lease will continue to protect your interests indefinitely. The laws regarding landlord rights in Connecticut are constantly changing and evolving, so have a highly knowledgeable landlord attorney periodically review a previously drafted lease agreement. In addition, a lease should be updated often if it is for a different tenant or property—especially for commercial leases.

To best avoid these common mistakes, allow the Landlord Law Firm to draft an effective lease agreement that will work for your situation and with your specific tenants and properties.

Compliance With Connecticut Lease Laws

If your lease agreement is not in compliance with the requirements of Connecticut landlord-tenant laws, chances are the lease will not be enforceable should an issue arise. The law in our state is not highly specific about the permissible terms of a lease agreement, stating only that you may include terms that are not specifically prohibited by law, which may include the lease term, specifics about rent, and other rights and obligations of each party.

Depending on the type of property and tenant that you have, however, it is critical to include many additional lease terms. For example, a commercial landlord might include restrictions on property use or terms regarding alterations to a space. An experienced attorney will look beyond the most basic permissible lease terms to ensure that every concern is addressed in the agreement.

On the other hand, Connecticut law does set out terms that are prohibited in lease agreements. Many of the prohibited terms involve waiver of rights or liability and other complex legal concepts. Our landlord attorneys will always ensure there are no prohibited terms in your lease agreement that may render the lease unenforceable and leave you with fewer or no protections under the law.

Handling Conflicts Regarding a Lease Agreement

Whether your original lease was drafted or reviewed by the Landlord Law Firm, our lawyers are always here to provide representation should a conflict arise regarding lease terms. We seek the most efficient method of resolution of your dispute and will make the necessary changes to your lease agreements to prevent future conflicts.

Discuss Your Legal Needs With a Highly Experienced Connecticut Landlord Attorney Today

If you are a landlord or property manager, you can seek a wealth of general information relevant to landlord law and advocacy in our easy-to-search catalog of hundreds of articles regarding landlord rights. For information regarding specific situations, however, contact our office and discuss your circumstances and legal questions with a member of our highly skilled legal team. The attorneys at the Landlord Law Firm have dedicated their practice to protecting the rights and interests of landlords, and are thoroughly familiar with the goals and practices of landlords and property management companies. Please do not hesitate to call our office for more information at (203) 874-4747, or send us an email through our online contact form today to see how we can assist you.