Làm thế nào chủ nhà và người thuê nhà có thể tránh tranh chấp? Cả chủ nhà và người thuê nhà nên làm theo các lời khuyên để tránh các vấn đề pháp lý: • Biết các quyền và trách nhiệm của mình theo pháp luật nhà nước liên bang và địa phương,. | N o l o s E n c y c l o p e d i a o f E v e r y d a y L a w How can landlords and tenants avoid disputes Both landlords and tenants should follow these tips to avoid legal problems Know your rights and responsibilities under federal state and local law. Make sure the terms of your lease or rental agreement are clear and unambiguous. Keep communication open. If there s a problem for example a disagreement about the landlord s right to enter a tenant s apartment see if you can resolve the issue by talking it over without running to a lawyer. Keep copies of any correspondence and make notes of conversations about any problems. For example a tenant should ask for repairs in writing and keep a copy of the letter. The landlord should keep a copy of the repair request and note when and how the problem was repaired. We ve talked about the problem and still don t agree. What should we do next If you can t work out an agreement on your own but want to continue the rental relationship consider mediation by a neutral third party. Unlike a judge the mediator has no power to impose a decision but will simply work to help find a mutually acceptable solution to the dispute. Mediation is often available at little or no cost from a publicly funded program. More Information About Mediation For information on local mediation programs call your mayor s or city manager s office and ask for the staff member who handles landlord-tenant mediation matters or housing disputes. That person should refer you to the public office business or community group that handles landlord-tenant mediations. You can learn more about mediation by reading Chapter 17 of this book Courts and Mediation. If mediation doesn t work is there a last step before going to a lawyer If you decide not to mediate your dispute or mediation fails it s time to pursue other legal remedies. If the disagreement involves money such as return of the security deposit you can take the case to small claims court. A few states use .
