where can i find about improvements made for tenants in the law?

Question

i want to know where exactly in the law can i find about improvements made for tenants while they were renting a house and if they have the right for to claim money for them

Answer 1

If a tenant makes improvements with the approval of a landlord - there would be an agreement before work was done as to the monies to be paid for said improvements.

If a tenant makes improvements to a rental property without the approval of a landlord - he does so at his own risk and has no claim.

You should never seek to improve a property without the knowledge of the property owner - that's when you discuss who will foot the bill. You don't have the right to improve someone else's property for a fee - that would make you a contractor - and a contractor gets a signature on a contract!

Answer 2

Actually most places have laws that are quite the opposite of allowing a person to do something and then ask.

I'm thinking about rental agreements that state you mustn't put a hole in the wall and on from there. No owner wants your "improvement," without first making sure that s/he thinks it's an improvement. After all, the owner is thinking about what the next tenant might like, and usually the simpler, the better.

Fixing something that's broken, repair, maintenance is one thing (but even with those things, permission must be asked--the owner might have a person s/he relies on, is cheaper than your person, etc.), but unless the "improvement," and I'm thinking new light fixtures, built-ins, window treatments--permanent change for convenience or aesthetic reasons--is okayed ahead, you could (in most places) be charged for "damage to property" and even evicted.

But your question is WHERE: put Renters' Rights or Tenants' Rights into a major search engine. Skip the lawyers and go for the books or pamphlets or free legal advice. This one looked good to me: http://www.nolo.com/resource.cfm/catID/31250834-6A2E-4970-9EDD4DAF221A0C7E/104/138/

Good luck, and don't do anything, at all without first consulting with your landlord or landlady.... (In most States, even if you've done something for an emergency, you can't deduct it from your rent, without permission. If the owner won't pay you, or give you that deduction, then it's a civil matter.)

Answer 3

Well, for me not enough details.

Let's see what type of improvements you are talking about.

Was it because a health issue? Was it that they extended the property? Did they renovate the bathroom or kitchen? What type of improvement?

First, if in order for anyone to "improve" a "property" they would need a "permit" from the county. In order to get a "permit" from the county the landlord "must" of signed and agreed to whatever "improvements" are going to be done.

If the Landlord "did" agree to this, then the "tenant" is entitled to his/her money back. Since this "improvement" is for the "property" of the "landlord" and not the "tenant".

If the tenant did "not" need a "permit", then we must assume that maybe the tenant changed a toilet, or sink; etc. Obviously, it must be a good tenant that is "concerned" with the "value" of the "landlords" property in order for the tenant to "invest" in it.

Of course, the final Judgment will come from the Judge.

If you want to find out about previous cases referencing this, then you can "hire" an attorney to represent you and to do the research for you.

In addition, if you have the money to do the research yourself, then I have provided direct links for your research.

Good Luck........

Answer 4

Tenant/landlord laws vary from state to state and sometimes from city to city. Unless you have an agreement with your landlord ahead of time (documented either in your lease agreement or another written contract), they are not obligated to trade services for rent.

If you want to do make improvements to your unit in trade for rent or for money, you will need to contact your landlord first and obtain something in writing. This written contract would be legally binding upon those who sign it. That would then be your basis for making a monetary claim.

You might also want to keep in mind that any improvements you have made to your unit, could actually be a violation of your lease agreement and cause you to lose your deposit, or worse, the landlord could sue you for damages!

Answer 5

You won't find the laws addressing this situation in most cases. The best you will find is precedent from previous case law decision.

Much will depend on any sort of agreement between you and the property owner. However, if you simply took it upon yourself to make the improvements for your own benefit without consulting the owner, you're pretty much out of luck.

In order for there to be any sort of legal contract here for you to enforce, the owner MUST have agreed with you to pay you for the services performed.

Answer 6

You don't say what country you are in. If in the US, you don't say what state you are in. The states have different laws.

Improvements made by tenants to the real estate belong to the landlord. The lease agreement should address those issues.

I doubt that any state has a written law for this situation. You would have to refer to case law. That means a trip to the county law library if you have one in your county.

Answer 7

It would help to know where you are. here in the UK i guess a good place to start would be the citizens advice bureau.
You will find one local to you here www.citizensadvicedirect.org.uk
Alternatively you could try shelter. These people are a great resource for housing advice find them here at england.shelter.org.uk/ or if you are in wales www.sheltercymru.org.uk/ . i hope this helps. good luck.