What are my rights as a tenant?

Every state has different laws. Have you read the laws for tenant rights in your state? Are you in a current lease? I know in GA the landlord has the right to enter with 24 hour notice most of the time, but each lease can have specific terms as well.

As a tenant who has lived in a home for eight years that is now being sold, you have specific rights under state landlord-tenant law that protect you through the sale and the transition period. In North Carolina and throughout Florida, a tenants lease rights survive the sale of the property. The new owner is legally required to honor your existing lease through its current term. If you are on a month-to-month tenancy rather than a fixed term, the required notice period for termination varies by state: Florida requires 15 days for weekly tenancy and 15 days for monthly tenancy, while North Carolina requires 7 days for weekly and 30 days for month-to-month. Neither states standard residential tenancy allows a new owner to demand immediate departure simply because the property sold. In addition, the federal Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act (PTFA) requires that in foreclosure sales, tenants with a bona fide lease receive at least 90 days notice before being required to vacate. Your security deposit must be transferred to the new owner at closing and returned to you per your states standard deposit return requirements at the end of your tenancy. Document your payment history, keep copies of your lease, and if you receive a notice to vacate that you believe is shorter than what the law requires, contact a tenants rights attorney or your local legal aid office before responding. Kevin Neely & Kaitlynd Robbins | K2 Sells, Keller Williams Elite Partners

Tenant rights vary by state, but generally you have the right to a safe, habitable home, privacy, and proper notice before eviction or entry. Review your lease and check your state’s tenant laws to make sure your landlord is following proper procedures.

Hi Mary, you will want to check with an attorney to find out your rights. They are different in each state and each lease can have different terms as well. From my experiences, leases frequently allow for some amount of notice for the convenience of the tenants. You may just want to read your lease agreement, the answer may be there.