III.

Rent Law

In the U.S. the amount of rent for a real estate property, the interval at which it is paid, and the length and conditions of tenancy are usually set forth in a written lease between the landlord and tenant. In the absence of such a lease, or when its terms are unreasonable or broken, rent law, which varies by state and locality, is applicable. The tenant's right to quiet enjoyment of the premises, undisturbed by the landlord, is implied in the rent law, as is prompt payment of the rent, eviction for failure to pay rent, and compensation to the landlord for damages to the property caused by the tenant. Generally the landlord needs to go to court to obtain redress if the conditions of the lease are not met. See Landlord and Tenant.

In certain urban centers today, rent control and rent stabilization measures are the cause of ongoing controversies. Rent stabilization laws in certain areas allow a landlord to raise rents only by a specified amount when negotiating a new lease. Rent control is a legal restriction on the amount landlords can charge. Originally invoked in the U.S. during World War I, such measures have since been used in some cities to curb rent increases when housing is scarce.