Renting an apartment or house

This week, the Office of the Attorney General’s “Consumer Caution Corner” sets out good practices to follow when renting an apartment or house:

What is a lease?

A lease is a contract that you sign to rent an apartment or house. When you sign a lease, you agree to follow the rules written in the lease. The landlord who owns the apartment or house also must do what the lease says and must obey the law. If you think your landlord is breaking the law or breaking the lease, there are people who can help you.

What should I do before I rent an apartment or house?

Read the lease before you sign it. When you sign a lease, you agree to do what it says. You might not understand everything in the lease. Find someone you trust to help you read the lease. The landlord might make promises. Check that they are written in the lease. After you sign the lease, get a copy and keep it.

What if a landlord won’t rent to me because of my credit or a background check?

If you have bad credit, you need to show the landlord that you can pay your rent. The landlord might ask you to: (1) show pay stubs or bank statements; (2) pay more money in your security deposit; or (3) pay your first and last month’s rent before you move in.

What should I do if I think my landlord is breaking the law?

You might think a landlord is breaking the law or that a landlord is breaking your lease. Here is what you can do: find out about your rights as a tenant (go to hud.gov) A landlord cannot change the rental deal or refuse to rent to you because of your race, color, national origin, religion, gender, disability, or family status. That would be discrimination. You can file a complaint about housing discrimination with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Call 1-800-669-9777 or go to hud.gov/fairhousing.

Each week, the OAG’s Consumer Protection Education Program aims to provide consumers and businesses with the “know-how” to identify and protect themselves from unfair trade practices and marketplace schemes. If you would like to file a consumer complaint, please pick up a form at the OAG (on Capital Hill) and then please submit it by email to consumer_counsel@cnmioag.org.

We cannot act as your private attorney. If you need legal assistance, we will recommend that you contact a private attorney or legal aid organization. We cannot give legal advice or act as your private attorney. (Michael J. Cyganek, Special to the Saipan Tribune)