Backgound check- In Canada and US

Tenant Screening, Landlord Screening, Online Tenant Screening, Tenant Screening Checks, and Tenant Screening Credit Checks

Information accessible to every landlord

This blog is the result of countless hours of research over the internet. We have tried to put together some of the services that you as a landlord would need.. Criminal and Credit check, free advertising of your property, Collection agency, Security cameras, legal forms, informational web site for each of the states in the US and in Canada to cover all the laws concerning Landlord and Tenants, etc. Each week I will try to add more and more useful information that applies to landlords. I have rental property in both the US and Canada. Read about my nightmare tenant and you'll see why it is important to follow all the steps. Taking the time now, will eliminate future financial headaches. I will post as many tips to help you out as I can. There is nothing like a nightmare tenant to motivate a landlord to put the case on the internet. After winning my case against this tenant I decided to make my case public. Although I won, I still cannot collect my overdue rent and legal fees in excess of $12,000,-- In addition I put the amounts owed through small claims court and only claimed $10,000. This amount will forever be in his file. The important issue, we were able to evict him. Nothing worse than a tenant who is not paying and you unable to evict him. Read my story and you'll see why.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Florida laws on tenants

Click on this link to access the tenancy laws in the state of Florida

FLORIDA'S LANDLORD/TENANT LAW
Questions concerning landlord/tenant rights are one of the top five areas of inquiry in the City's Consumer Affairs Division. Most people living in leased apartments and other rental housing know there are laws dealing with landlord/tenant relationships; but they often don't find out the details until there is a problem.

The following landlord/tenant information is provided to answer many of the questions frequently asked regarding landlord/tenant rental relationships, according to Florida's Landlord/Tenant Law (Chapter 83, Part II).

You may download the law for review by entering the "Frequently Asked Questions" feature on the Division's Home Page. Consumers may also receive a free copy of the law or a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services brochure entitled "Florida's Landlord/Tenant Law", by contacting the Division at 630-3667.


BEFORE YOU RENT

* When searching for a rental dwelling, be careful when leaving a deposit to hold an apartment for a short period of time, in order to shop around for other possible dwellings. If the property manager says the deposit will be returned whether you decide to rent the apartment or not, always get that verbal promise in writing.

* Make sure you have reviewed your rights and obligations as a tenant, and therights and obligations of the landlord, according to Florida's Landlord/Tenant Law (Statute 83, Part II).

* Although Florida law does not require a written lease, you should request a written lease that clearly states all the terms. Oral leases are subject to misunder-standings and are more difficult to enforce.

* If there is no written lease, the span of your rental payment (weekly, monthly, etc.) determines the length of the agreement.

* Before signing a rental agreement make sure you understand the terms of the contract. If you don't understand, don't sign the lease!!! There is NO required grace period for canceling leases, so if you sign, you are bound to the agreement.

* Before signing a rental agreement always conduct a preliminary walk-through in the actual premises you intend to rent, so as to identify any problems that should be fixed before you rent. Verbal promises made by the landlord to fix the identified problems, should be included or attached as a written agreement to the lease, and signed by the landlord.

* A damage deposit (security deposit) is one of the most common requirements of landlords. At time of your pre-rental walk-through with the landlord, you should make note of damaged items or areas, worn rugs, broken fixtures, etc., and give a
copy to the landlord. Keep a copy for your files. This may eliminate or minimize disputes later.


THE LANDLORD'S RESPONSIBILITIES


* Florida Statutes, Section 83.51, require a landlord to comply with the local Property Maintenance Code. This means:

1. The roof must not leak.
2. The walls must be weather-tight, and in good repair.
3. The stairs must be safe for normal use and maintained in good repair.
4. Windows and doors must be basically weather-tight, water-tight, rodent-proof,and kept in sound working condition. Outside doors have to have proper locks.
5. Window panes cannot have cracks and holes. Outside windows must have screens.
6. Inside floors, walls, ceilings must be basically rodent-proof and kept in sound condition and good repair, and should be safe.
7. The house or apartment must have hot water, which is connected to the
kitchen and bathroom sinks, tub or shower.
8. All houses or apartments must have a flush toilet in good working ondition.
9. When cooking and heating equipment are provided by the landlord, they must be safely installed and in good working order.
10. There must be adequate garbage disposal facilities or garbage storage
containers.
11. Every habitable room must have at least two separate floor or wall electric outlets and, additionally, every kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and hallway must have a ceiling or wall-type fixture, or an outlet controlled by a wall switch near the entrance to the room.
12. All electrical systems must be in good repair and good working order.


IF THE LANDLORD DOES NOT COMPLY


* If your landlord has failed to comply with the previous listed code responsibilities, and has ignored your request to undo their unlawful action, you can contact The Code Enforcement Branch of city or county in which you reside and request that they contact your landlord and explain that their action is illegal and violates your local code.

* If your landlord fails to do what the law or lease requires, you may be able to withhold the rent. You must give notice of your intention by certified mail at least seven days before the rent is due to allow time for the landlord to remedy the problem. If the problem is not corrected within seven days and you withhold the rent the landlord may take you to court to collect it. You must them pay the rent into the court registry pending the judges Determination of the case.

* Always call the Consumer Affairs Division in your city or county regarding your landlord/tenant rights before withholding rent!!!


RENT WITHHOLDING FROM LANDLORD
* You must be very careful to do what the law requires for a proper rent
withholding!!! ALWAYS call the Consumer Affairs Division of your county or city regarding your landlord/tenant rights before withholding your rent.

* If your landlord will not fix a condition which is in "material non-compliance" with the your local city or county property maintenance code, you may stop paying rent (rent withholding). Material non-compliance means that there are major problems in your house or apartment which your landlord refuses to fix.

* Under Florida law, you cannot do the repairs yourself and then deduct that cost   from your rent.

* You can do a rent withholding so that you are protected by the law by taking the
following steps:

1. Make a written complaint to your local city or county enforcement office.

2. Make a list of all the things which are wrong with your rental unit and violate
the local code (for example, plumbing not working, roof leaks, etc.).

3. Write the landlord this letter:

Date

Dear (name of landlord):

Pursuant with Florida Statutes, Section 83.60, I am notifying you of your
material non-compliance with Florida Statutes, Section 83.51(1), and the
(insert the name of your local code).

Unless the listed repairs are made within 7 days of delivery of this notice,
I will not pay rent, because of your failure to maintain the premises.

List all things that are wrong

Sign your name ___________________
Print your name and address.

4. Mail or deliver this letter to your landlord at least seven days before the
next rent is due. *It is recommended that this letter be sent certified mail,
return receipt requested. This is an extra protection for you in the event
the landlord denies he ever knew about the material non-compliance.
KEEP A COPY OF THE LETTER.

5. You must save the rent as it becomes due. Do not spend it, because, if the landlord fixes the house or apartment, you must pay him at least a portionof the rent, and, if he tries to evict you, you must deposit all of the money you have saved with the court until the eviction case is over.


THE TENANT'S RESPONSIBILITIES

* Florida Statutes, Section 83.51, require a tenant to comply with the local Property Maintenance Code. This means that the tenant must:

1. Keep the house or apartment in a clean and sanitary manner.
2. Remove all garbage from the house or apartment in a clean and sanitary
manner (for example, use garbage cans).
3. Keep all plumbing fixtures in the house or apartment used by the tenant
in a clean and sanitary manner and in good repair.
4. Properly use and operate all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating,
ventilating, air conditioning and other facilities and appliances, including elevators, which are in the apartment or house.
5. Not destroy, damage or in any way misuse the property itself. This
includes not permitting any tenant's guests to do so either.
6. Not remove anything from the house or apartment which does not
belong to the tenant (for example, cannot remove light fixture which
was in the property when tenant moved in).
7. Conduct themselves and require anyone who visits them to act in a
way that does not disturb the peace.


TENANTS FAILURE TO MEET LEASE OBLIGATIONS
* Except for the failure to pay rent, a landlord must notify you, in writing, of the shortcoming and give you seven days to correct the situation. If you still have not complied after seven days, the landlord can begin the eviction process.

EVICTION

* The eviction notice is the landlord's request or formal demand made to the
tenant. It asks the tenant to move out. It is delivered to the tenant only, and
is not filed in court.

* If the tenant does not voluntarily move as requested by the eviction notice, the
landlord may file an eviction case in court. The eviction case is the landlord's request or formal demand made to the County Court. It asks the Court to evict the tenant.

* The request is made in a Summons and Complaint, which is delivered to the tenant by a process server.

* The tenant has five business days to file a written answer to the Summons and Complaint or he/she will be evicted.


TENANTS FAILURE TO PAY RENT

* The landlord must serve you, the tenant, a written notice allowing three days (excluding weekends and legal holidays) for you to pay the rent or move. If you do not pay rent or move, the landlord may begin action to evict you.

* In order for the landlord to gain payment of the rent or possession of the dwelling, he must file suit in county court, and provide the court with a copy of the three day notice.

* If the court agrees with the landlord, it will notify you in writing. You then have five days (excluding weekends and legal holidays) to respond, also in writing, to the court.

* If you don't respond or a judgment is entered against you, the clerk of the
county court will issue a "writ of possession" to the sheriff who will notify you that you will be evicted in 24 hours.

* You have the right to stay in your apartment until the landlord files an eviction case and a judge decides your case. The landlord must deliver an eviction notice before he can file an eviction case. The landlord cannot put you out unless he wins the eviction case in court.


OTHER TYPES OF EVICTIONS

* Under certain circumstances, if the tenant has exhibited a lack of consideration for the rights and privacy of others, a landlord has the right to require a tenant to move with very little notice.

* In some cases (destruction, damage, misuse of property, unreasonable
disturbances), the landlord does not have to give you the opportunity to cure the problem and may terminate your tenancy by giving you a seven-day written notice.


LANDLORDS CAN'T JUST THROW YOU OUT!

* Only a judge can order you evicted, and only the Sheriff can put you out of your home! (See "EVICTION" feature)

* Florida law does not allow a landlord to force a tenant out by:

1. Shutting off the utilities or interrupting service, even if the service is in the landlord's name.
2. Changing the locks or using a device that denies the tenant access.
3. Removing the outside doors, locks, roof, walls or windows (except for
purposes of maintenance, repair or replacement).
4. Removing the tenant's personal property from the dwelling unit unless
action is taken after surrender, abandonment or a lawful eviction.

* A landlord may not evict a tenant solely in retaliation for the tenant
complaining to a governmental agency about a code violation, joining or
establishing a tenant's "union" or similar organization, or asserting other
tenant rights.

* If any of these occur, the tenant may sue for actual and consequential damages or three month's rent, whichever is greater, plus court costs and attorney's fees.


WHEN YOU DECIDE TO MOVE

* When you decide to move from the rental dwelling don't forget to give the
required notice! Be sure to check your lease agreement for the specific time
period that is required for appropriate notification to terminate the lease.

* If a specific time period is not included in your lease agreement, the table below indicates an appropriate notification time period to provide written notice:

Payment Schedule
Days of written notice required
(before contract termination) 
Weekly7 days
Monthly15 days
Quarterly30 days
Yearly60 days


* Send all correspondence relating to your intention to move to the landlord by
certified mail (return receipt requested) or deliver it by hand and insist on
a receipt.

* It is a good idea to talk with the landlord in person, if you must cancel a lease
before its expiration date, perhaps the landlord will accept your security deposit as your total financial obligation. If so, be sure to obtain a signed agreement to this effect from the landlord.

* One of your most important responsibilities as a tenant is to leave the premises
in clean condition for the next occupant.

* Take a last walk-through with the landlord before you vacate the premises, and
note any damages in writing and reach a final agreement concerning any financial penalties that may occur.


YOUR SECURITY DEPOSIT

* As previously mentioned, always take a last walk-through with the landlord
before you vacate the rental dwelling! Note any damages in writing and reach a final agreement concerning any financial penalties which may occur, or that may jeopardize the status of your security deposit return.

* When you move out, your landlord must either return your deposit (plus interest, if applicable) within 15 days of termination of the lease, or justify in writing, within the 15 day period, why he is keeping a portion or all of the money.
The justification must be sent by certified mail to your last known mail address.

* If the notice is not sent as required within the 15-day period, the landlord forfeits his right to impose a claim unless you failed to give proper notice prior to vacating.

* If the tenant objects to the landlord retaining all or a portion of the deposit the matter may be taken to Small Claims Court.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

How much notice must be given before a landlord enters the rental unitÉ


Landlord must give notice to enter the rental unit
A landlord may enter a rental unit to inspect for maintenance problems, make repairs, do work or replace something. 
If a landlord wishes to enter a rental unit for one of these reasons, the landlord must give the tenant written notice at least 24 hours before the landlord plans to enter. 
The written notice must include:
  • the reason why the landlord wishes to enter,
  • the date the landlord will enter, and 
  • a time of entry between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Can you ask about a tenants income and credit references when applying for a rental uni


Can a landlord ask a person applying for a rental unit to provide information about their Income, credit references and rental history?
Yes, when choosing a new tenant, a landlord can ask the person applying for the rental unit to provide information such as: current residence, rental history, employment history, personal references and income information (if credit references and rental history information are also requested).  However, the Ontario Human Rights Code has special rules about asking for information about the income of a prospective tenant.  Landlords must follow these rules. 

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

What if you don't agree with the decision?


If I do not agree with the decision that is made, is there anything that I can do?
If you think that there is an error in the order, or you were not given the opportunity to participate (e.g. the applicant didn’t make you aware of the application as they were supposed to), you may have some options available to you.  Depending on your situation, you might be able to:
  • file a motion to set aside;
  • request an amendment because of a clerical error;
  • request a review because of a serious error; or
  • appeal the decision to the courts because of a legal error.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

What if the tenant doesn't move out?


What can a landlord do if the tenant does not move out of the unit by the date set out in the eviction order?
Orders issued by the Board are legally binding decisions - they must be obeyed.  If the tenant is ordered to leave by a specific date and has not, then the landlord can file the eviction order at the Court Enforcement Office, pay the applicable fee, and ask the Sheriff to remove the tenant from the unit.
The Sheriff will usually give the tenant a notice that tells them the date they will come to the unit to evict the tenant.  If the tenant has not moved out by that date, the Sheriff will go to the unit and remove the tenant from the unit.  The locks on the unit can then be changed.

Only the Sheriff can evict a tenant who does not leave a unit as directed by an eviction order issued by the Board.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Refusal to pay when ordered by the Board?


What can be done if the landlord or tenant refuses to pay money they were ordered to pay by the Board?
Orders issued by the Board are legally binding decisions - they must be obeyed.  If one person is ordered to pay the other person money and they do not, then the person who is owed the money can file the order with Small Claims Court to have it enforced.

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Can a landlord evict a tenant for having a pet?


Can a landlord evict a tenant for having a pet?
A tenant can be evicted for having a pet in their unit only if:
  • the pet is making too much noise, damaging the unit, or causing an allergic reaction, or
  • the animal or species is considered to be inherently dangerous. 
Even if the tenancy agreement has a ‘no pets’ rule in it, the tenant cannot be evicted just for having a pet unless the Board decides in an order that the pet is causing a problem, or that the pet is inherently dangerous.