Legal Insurance Blog

Articles Posted in Tenant/Landlord

October 3, 2017

Housing Education Creates a Smart Buying Decision

by Len Feltoon

Countrywide Knowledge Saves Dollars

The current news indicates that the price of housing is starting to climb. The days of the marketing slump are over, and the cost of the house is becoming expensive. It means that many people were looking to buy a house need to take some serious steps right away.

It Is a Major Decision

A home purchase is perhaps the largest investment any consumer will make. A mortgage of over hundred thousand dollars is not out of the question, and you should be careful. Financial wellness will be in jeopardy if the wrong move is made.

The challenge many people face is lack of knowledge. Most first-time homebuyers do not understand the market, and not knowing what to do can cost them thousands of dollars. Countrywide Pre-Paid Legal Services knows how important it is to make the right move in the housing market. Our financial wellness program includes a housing education option. Continue reading

December 22, 2016

Making a Case of the Security Deposit

by Len Feltoon

The Landlord Does Not Always Get It All

Every renter knows what a security deposit happens to be. It is the amount of money paid upfront and placed in escrow to pay for damages while that person is renting the property. Many states have laws covering how security deposits can be spent. For example, painting a room is not a legitimate use of the security deposit. Some landlords forget this and try to deduct all expenses from the security deposit. The disagreement can end up in small claims court in a group legal plan can help the renter.

Using the security deposit for the wrong type of repair can be an honest mistake. However, it is also true that a landlord can become stubborn and an unscrupulous owner would care less. The letter relies on a tenant not being able to process a small claims court case. Countrywide Pre-Paid Legal Services can help. Our group legal plan includes a nationwide network of lawyers. These legal professionals can contribute to preparing the case. Continue reading

October 13, 2016

Taking Advantage of the Countrywide Network

by Len Feltoon

A chalk board with the words problems and solutions

The Internet is remarkable, but even cyberspace has limitations. There are times when people want to talk and interact with a human being. It applies in particular if there are legal issues. Unfortunately, not all group legal plan services do that. Instead, they rely on a website with a question and answer page. Continue reading

March 13, 2015

You can win a Landlord-Tenant Dispute

by Len Feltoon

Knowing the Law is Important

No one should ever think that all landlords are unscrupulous. Dishonest landlords are more the exception than the rule. Yet, there are disputes that arise between tenants and landlords over any number of items. One of the biggest ones happens to involve the security deposit. A landlord will claim damages that may have not been the result of the tenant’s negligence. There also can be disputes over what is required of a tenant in the lease. These situations are more aggravating than major emergencies. A group legal plan can have the services needed to help the tenant in one of these kerfuffles.

Understanding the Lease Is Important

February 19, 2014

Keeping the Landlord Honest

by Len Feltoon

Legal Services can protect a Tenant

Companies will relocate employees to branch offices or to corporate headquarters because of the expertise these people have. The transfer is ordinarily accepted because the employee knows how great the opportunities are being presented. There usually is no problem because relocation packages take care of the move and it all goes without a hitch. The problem arises when the employee settles into a rented house or apartment. While this doesn’t happen all the time, that employee may discover that the landlord is not trustworthy.

Taking Advantage of a Tenant

September 24, 2013

Reasoning with the Landlord

by Len Feltoon

A good attorney can resolve the problem

The rent on apartments in some metropolitan areas is equivalent to a monthly mortgage payment. It can be a very expensive arrangement and the lease may be a very complicated document. It does happen that there are landlord and tenant disputes that arise. The tenant has to be concerned because an eviction notice may be the outcome. However, if this same individual has a legal benefit through a group legal plan, he or she has access to expert advice. Countrywide Pre-Paid Legal Services can provide the help that a tenant desperately needs.

Resolving Rental Confusions

August 17, 2013

Settling Landlord Tenant Disputes Properly

by Len Feltoon

These don’t need to be bruising battles

Yes, a few of them can be unreasonable, but most landlords are fairly even-tempered and reasonable. They are not out to cheat anyone but to make sure that rent is paid on time and that there are no damages to the property. It does happen that there are a few issues that arise between landlords and tenants. Some of these are the result of a number of elaborate agreements such as rent to own or seller financing. These can be the source of a few nightmares.

Rental Problems Can Surface

May 29, 2013

Protecting Tenant Rights in New York

by Len Feltoon

Landlord/Tenant Relations don’t have to be one sided.

Most of the people who take advantage of a prepaid legal services benefit do so in matters regarding property. This includes estates and transactions involving the purchase or sale of a home. However, this type of benefit also helps protect a person’s rights in other matters and the rights of a tenant are very important in New York.

It isn’t fair to say that all landlords are unreasonable and greedy. Many respect the needs of tenants and will make necessary repairs and have rental terms that are honest. Regrettably, there are a few who will ignore their obligations and think that the rental agreement protects them against any actions made by an aggrieved tenant. The state of New York has specified what rights a tenant has under the law. The challenge comes not only in understanding the statutes, but knowing how to process a grievance properly. Terms such as lease succession rights or warranty of habitability can be quite bewildering to someone not familiar with legal terminology. Not understanding protection against retaliation can intimidate a tenant and the possibility of eviction can definitely be frightening. Disputes with a landlord may require legal assistance that could be outside a person’s financial ability.

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