Know Your Apartment Rights in Pittsburgh

Know Your Rights in Pittsburgh Apartment

Pittsburgh Apartment Articles

Sweet Home Apartments in Pittsburgh:

Deciding where to live when moving to Pittsburgh can be an unnerving task, especially when the options are as many and as varied as in the Pittsburgh area.

Financial Matters:

One of the most important considerations when it comes to finding a new apartment home is finances. How much Pittsburgh apartment can you afford?

Apartment Décor 101e:

Half the fun of moving into a new apartment in the Pittsburgh area is decorating your space. But sometimes that can be a challenge.

Renters Insurance:

When budgeting for an Pittsburgh apartment, don't forget to include the cost of renters insurance.

Understanding Your Lease:

A lease is a legally binding contract between a tenant and a landlord. A lease obligates both tenant and landlord to specific terms.

You've signed the lease on your new apartment in the Pittsburgh area and now the work really begins. Moving can be one of the most stressful of life's events, but there are steps you can take to alleviate the pain of the process.

Wish List:

Before you begin a serious apartment search in Pittsburgh it's a good idea to delineate what you're looking for and to prioritize those desires.

Safe and Secure:

Safety is a primary consideration, when choosing an Pittsburgh area apartment community. No amount amenities - of swimming pools and clubhouses and fancy appliances - are worthwhile if you don't feel secure in your own apartment home.

Know Your Rights:

You've found the perfect apartment. Now it's time to make application, sign the lease and get moved in.

You've found the perfect Pittsburgh apartment. Now it's time to make application, sign the lease and get moved in. It's important now that you understand your rights as a tenant. While much of your lease agreement protects the landlord, tenants in every state are entitled to the performance of certain responsibilities by their landlord.

Discrimination

According to the Federal Fair Housing Act and Fair Housing Amendments Act (42 U.S. Code §§ 3601-3619, 3631), a landlord may not refuse to rent, evict or otherwise discriminate on the basis of race religion, national origin, sex, age, family status (with the exception of certain designated senior housing) or physical or mental disability. In addition, many local municipalities prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or marital status.

This type of discrimination includes not only refusing to rent, but also such practices as setting higher income standards, or more restrictive lease terms. If you believe that a landlord in your Pittsburgh apartment has violated fair housing statutes, you should contact the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Visit their Web site at www.hud.gov for more information.

A Livable Apartment in Pittsburgh area

Once in your new apartment, under most state laws, your Pittsburgh landlord has a legal responsibility to provide a livable environment - to provide adequate weatherproofing, heat, water and electricity and to ensure sanitary and safe conditions. This means there should be no broken windows or leaking roofs, that plumbing is in working order with adequate hot and cold running water for bathing and cleaning, that there are adequate garbage disposal receptacles and removal, that roaches and rodents are controlled and that floors, stairs and railings are in good repair. Some municipalities also have requirements regarding smoke detectors and secure locks.

If a landlord fails to maintain a habitable apartment, there are a number of remedies a tenant may pursue. Don't simply withhold rent to try to force an errant landlord to make repairs. This could result in your eviction, even if the landlord is guilty. Some states allow tenants to pay themselves for necessary repairs and deduct that amount from their rent. See chart below for specific housing statutes by state.

Once you have exhausted attempts with your landlord (and putting these requests in writing may help you down the road), depending on the nature of the violation, report the property owner to the local building inspector, housing authority, health or fire department. A written notice may be issued to the landlord, specifying a deadline for remedy.

A tenant may also sue a landlord for rent, and in some circumstances, physical and emotional hardship.

Your Rights to Privacy in Pittsburgh apartment

A landlord may enter a tenant's apartment, but only under certain circumstances. The owner may enter your apartment in case of emergency, to make necessary repairs, inspect for damage or to show the apartment to prospective tenants. In many areas, advance notice, ranging from 12 to 24 hours, is required before entering for any other reason than emergency. Check your state and local agencies for specific rules in your locality.

Alabama Ala. Code §§ 35-9-1 to -100
Alaska Alaska Stat. §§ 34.03.010 to .380
Arizona Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 12-1171 to -1183; §§ 33-1301 to -1381
Arkansas Ark. Code Ann. §§ 18-16-101 to -306
California Cal. [Civ.] Code §§ 1925-1954, 1961-1962.7, 1995.010-1997.270
Colorado Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 38-12-101 to -104, -301 to -302
Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. §§ 47a-1 to -50a
Delaware Del. Code. Ann. tit. 25, §§ 5101-7013
District of Columbia D.C. Code Ann. §§ 45-1401 to -1597, -2501 to -2593
Florida Fla. Stat. Ann. §§ 83.40-.66
Georgia Ga. Code Ann. §§ 44-7-1 to -81
Hawaii Haw. Rev. Stat. §§ 521-1 to -78
Idaho Idaho Code §§ 6-301 to -324 and §§ 55-201 to -313
Illinois Ill. Rev. Stat. ch. 765 para. 705/0.01-740/5
Indiana Ind. Code Ann. §§ 32-7-1-1 to 37-7-19
Iowa Iowa Code Ann. §§ 562A.1-.36
Kansas Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 58-2501 to -2573
Kentucky Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 383.010-.715
Louisiana La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 9:3201-:3259; La. Civ. Code Ann. art. 2669-2742
Maine Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 14, §§ 6001-6045
Maryland Md. Code Ann., [Real Prop.] §§ 8-101 to -501
Massachusetts Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 186 §§ 1-21
Michigan Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. §§ 554.601-.640
Minnesota Minn. Stat. Ann. §§ 504.01-.35
Mississippi Miss. Code Ann. §§ 89-8-1 to -27
Missouri Mo. Ann. Stat. §§ 441.010-.650; and §§ 535.150-.300
Montana Mont. Code Ann. §§ 70-24-101 to -25-206
Nebraska Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1401 to -1449
Nevada Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 118A.010-.520
New Hampshire N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 540:1-540-A:8
New Jersey N.J. Stat. Ann. §§ 46:8-1 to-49
New Mexico N.M. Stat. Ann. §§ 47-8-1 to -51
New York N.Y. [Gen. Oblig.] Law §§ 7-101 to -109; N.Y. [Real Prop.] Law §§ 220238;
N.Y. [Mult. Dwell.] Law §§ 1-11; N.Y. [Mult. Resid.] Law §§ 305
North Carolina N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 42-1 to -56
North Dakota N.D. Cent. Code §§ 47-16-01 to -41
Ohio Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 5321.01-.19
Oklahoma Okla. Stat. tit. 41, §§ 1-136
Oregon Or. Rev. Stat. §§ 90.100-.435
Pennsylvania Pa. Stat. Ann. tit. 68, §§ 250.101-.342
Rhode Island R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-18-1 to -19
South Carolina S.C. Code Ann. §§ 27-40-10 to -910
South Dakota S.D. Codified Laws Ann. §§ 43-32-1 to -26
Tennessee Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 66-28-101 to -517
Texas Tex. [Prop.] Code Ann. §§ 91.001-92.301
Utah Utah Code Ann. §§ 57-17-1 to -5, -22-1 to -6
Vermont Vt. Stat Ann. tit. 9, §§ 4451-4468
Virginia Va. Code Ann. §§ 55-218.1 to -248.40
Washington Wash. Rev. Code Ann. §§ 59.04.010-.900, .18.010-.910
West Virginia W. Va. Code §§ 37-6-1 to -30
Wisconsin Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 704.01-.40
Wyoming Wyo. Stat. §§ 34-2-125 to -130

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Apartment - Featured from www.BestApartmentsInPittsburgh.com

The Chalfont
PITTSBURGH, PA

You have seen the rest, now live at the best! The Chalfont Apartments offer luxury living with all of the comforts and conveniences you deserve. In the heart of Shadyside, you will love the convenient location, just minutes from Downtown Pittsburgh, museums, theaters, restaurants, unique shopping, hospitals and universities. The Chalfont offers magnificent efficiencies, 1 and 2 bedroom floor plans. The apartments have fully equipped gourmet kitchens with self cleaning gas ovens, garbage disposals, dishwasher and refrigerator with icemaker. Your kitchen also has a walk-in pantry providing you with plenty of storage space. You will also have a formal dining area that provides plenty of space for entertaining family and friends. Also available to our residents are the rooftop deck with barbecue grills. The Chalfont has a state of the art fitness center, laundry facilities as well as indoor parking. Come and visit us to view our beautiful,spacious floorplans and make The Chalfont Apartments your new home!

$851 - $1,506
0 - 2 bedrooms

Oak Hill
PITTSBURGH, PA

Welcome to the most exciting living opportunity to be built in Pittsburgh in decades! At Oak Hill you'll find a wide selection of architect-designed townhome and garden style residences in a professionally planned and beautifully landscaped setting. Regardless of which floorplan you choose, you will enjoy a wealth of comforts and conveniences that have been thoughtfully designed into your new home including individual climate control, high quality kitchen appliances and energy efficient construction. Wherever possible, homes have been sited to take advantage of breathtaking skyline views. But whatever your Oak Hill address, our lofty location, heavenly amenities and top notch on-site property management team will have you feeling like you're living on top of the world! Oak Hills location is unbeatable. Whether you are a medical student or intern, doctor or orderly, nurse or clerk... if you are in any way associated with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, it would be hard to find a more convenient place to live than Oak Hill. All the UPMC facilities including Eye and Ear, Montifiore, Falk Clinic and Presbyterian Hospitals are within walking distance. And isn't it comforting to know that the world's most respected medical centers is just moments away? All of Oakland is at your door. From everyday goods and services to a variety of recreational facilities, you'll marvel at the convenience. From your home at Oak Hill you can get to any part of the city within minutes.

$745 - $1,515
0 - 3 bedrooms

Nob Hill Apartments
PITTSBURGH, PA

If you appreciate the finer things in life, you'll appreciate the affordable elegance of Nob Hill Apartments. Overlooking one of the city's most breathtaking views of South Hills skyline, Nob Hill sits atop one of Pittsburgh's hillsides. Discover all the elements of a great lifestyle. The unique location in Scott Township is convenient to Pittsburgh International Airport, fine restaurants, supermarkets and shopping, plus it is only minutes from Interstate 279. Every amenity is at your fingertips, including an inviting social room equipped for your small gatherings. The large pool is a great place to relax or if you prefer, enjoy our state of the art fitness center...enjoy!enjoy!enjoy! An experienced and friendly staff, trained with your comfort in mind provides daily stewardship. Professional management is a source of pride at Nob Hill Apartments. We provide for the practical as well...24 hour emergency maintenance is just a phone call away. Nob Hill is constructed of concrete and steel for maximum sound conditioning. Our buildings include elevators, handicapped access and a host of other features which care for your special needs. Ample outdoor parking is available. Luxury Living is carefree at Nob Hill. Come discover the friendly people who live here and the comforts that make it one of Pittsburgh's most prestigious addresses!

$657 - $1,005
1 - 3 bedrooms