Rental Agreements
What is a "dwelling" in a rental agreement?
A dwelling is the place where a tenant lives, such as an apartment, house, or condo.
What do we call a person who breaks into a home or business to steal things?
A burglar
Which type of insurance is designed for people who live in a rented apartment or house?
Renter’s insurance
fix / had / I / sink / the / leaking / plumber / the.
I had the plumber fix the leaking sink.
A tenant should live in a safe and habitable home with working plumbing and electricity.
Tenant right
If a tenant damages the exterior of the building, who is responsible for the repairs?
The tenant is usually responsible for repairing any damage they cause, but the landlord is responsible for normal wear and tear.
What is the difference between theft and burglary?
Theft is the act of stealing something, while burglary is illegally entering a building to commit a crime, which could include theft.
If a tree falls on a house that you own, which type of insurance would typically cover the damage?
Homeowner’s insurance
a / kitchen / to / renovate / last / contractor / got / our / year / we.
We got a contractor to renovate our kitchen last year.
A tenant must inform the landlord if there is a serious maintenance issue, such as a leaking roof or mold growth.
Tenant responsibility
What happens if a tenant abandons the premises before the lease ends?
If a tenant abandons the premises, the landlord may have the right to seize the tenant’s possessions, terminate the lease, and possibly litigate to seek compensation for lost rent.
If a tenant is causing a loud disturbance late at night, how might this affect their lease agreement?
The tenant could receive a warning, be fined, or even face eviction if they repeatedly disturb neighbors, depending on the lease terms.
Which insurance policy covers personal belongings in case of theft, even if the items are stolen outside the home?
Both
walls / paint / let / the / won’t / any / color / the / tenants / landlord / they / want.
The landlord won’t let tenants paint the walls any color they want.
A landlord refuses to fix a broken heater in the middle of winter. The tenant withholds rent until the repair is made.
Tenant right (✅ But only in certain situations—depending on local laws, tenants may be allowed to withhold rent or pay for repairs and deduct the cost, but they must follow legal procedures.)
How can a tenant’s failure to maintain the grounds of a rental property lead to lease termination?
If a lease agreement states that the tenant must maintain the grounds, such as mowing the lawn or keeping common areas clean, failure to do so could be evident neglect. This could result in deterioration of the property, giving the landlord a reason to terminate the lease.
A tenant notices someone trying to burglarize a neighbor’s apartment. What should they do, and what should they avoid doing?
They should call the police immediately and report the crime but avoid confronting the burglar directly to stay safe.
If a fire damages both the structure of a home and the belongings inside, which type of insurance would the homeowner need to cover both?
Homeowner’s insurance
her / light / new / a / find / helped / neighbor / she / reliable / fixtures / to / install / electrician.
She helped her neighbor find a reliable electrician to install new light fixtures.
A tenant moves out without cleaning the apartment, leaving trash and damaged walls. The landlord can deduct the cost of repairs from the security deposit.
Landlord right
In what situations might a landlord be required to compensate a tenant after terminating a lease?
A landlord may need to provide compensation if they terminate the lease unfairly, fail to provide a habitable dwelling, or violate tenant rights. In some cases, a tenant may pursue litigation to seek compensation for moving costs or lost security deposits.
Why might a lease agreement include rules about weapons on the premises, and how could this impact tenants?
A lease may prohibit weapons on the premises for safety reasons. Tenants who violate this rule could face warnings, fines, or even eviction, depending on local laws and lease terms.
If a visitor slips and falls inside a rented apartment and decides to sue, which type of insurance could help cover legal costs and medical expenses?
Renter’s insurance
the / with / the / new / made / replace / comply / city / homeowners / building / roof / old / their / to / regulations.
The city made the homeowners replace their old roof to comply with new building regulations.
Maria is a tenant in an apartment, and her landlord shows up unexpectedly, asking to come inside for an inspection. She didn’t receive any prior notice, and there’s no emergency. She isn’t sure if she has to let the landlord in.
Tenant right (Maria can refuse entry unless the landlord gives proper notice or there is an emergency.)