Landlord-tenant disputes are inevitable. Let’s face it. Landlords have to deal with multiple tenants, and those tenants often have disputes between one another. Accordingly, tenants often treat landlords or property managers as mediators who can craft a creative solution that leave all parties satisfied. If landlords or property managers choose to embrace this mediation-type role, they need to take steps to avoid running afoul of the law.

For example, Federal Fair Housing law prevents discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability, and individual states extend the protected classes. In short, the rules should be reasonable and apply to everyone. Moreover, it is unlawful for landlords to retaliate against tenants for exercising legal rights.

As such, it is important for landlords to keep these laws in mind when resolving disputes. If you are involved in renting residential or commercial properties, you should strongly consider using an attorney to draft legal rental agreements and rules and regulations, and to advise you as to the correct approaches to take during each level of the process such as evictions.

For tenants, be aware of these rights, and if you feel your rights are being violated, keep detailed records, collect and compile evidence, and consider contacting an attorney so he or she can review the facts of your case and determine the best way to proceed.