There are rules that regulate how tenants and landlords should behave. Tenants are protected by the law, so they won’t be at the mercy of their landlords. As the owner of the property, landlords definitely have power over their tenants, but it shouldn’t be abused. Landlords can increase the rent unilaterally and in this case, tenants won’t be in position to question; although in some cases; they can negotiate for lower rent. Without the protection of the law, tenants can be evicted without any clear reason. Many landlords feel that are not under any obligation to provide tenants notice to terminate the tenancy. Without proper rules, it is clear that landlords have power that knows no bound over their tenants.
In this case, tenants could seem to be vulnerable and powerless when facing the significant power of their landlord. Tenants need a legal backup to bargain effectively with their landlords. The autocratic and excessive power of the landlords will need to be controlled. The state should ensure equality and balance in managing the relationship between landlords and their tenants. In general, the relation between tenants and landlords is contractual, which involves two parties that are not equal. Tenants are always seen as the weaker party, while landlords are the more powerful one. Tenants are also given a lease agreement on the take it or leave it basis.
In a bad situation, tenants have no say to their duties, interests, obligations and rights under the provided agreement. It is important to correct the exploitation, oppression, abuse and injustice that tenants may suffer at the hands of many landlords. The intervention of government regulation is needed to manage contracts involving tenants and landlords. Before planning to rent a property in any country, tenants should evaluate local laws that regulate the legal relationship between tenants and landlords. In any case, the law should afford tenant the best possible protection against any kind of oppression and exploitation that landlords may pose.
The local law should be powerful enough to prevent unlawful eviction of tenants and arbitrary increment of rent. The rights and interest of the landlords and tenants should also be harmonized, unified and balanced. It means that one party shouldn’t gain financially, while others are losing financially. Regrettably, although this kind of law could be available in many countries; they are not properly enforced to ensure balance and equality. While the landlord can maintain their rights, tenants should be able to bargain effectively. The power of the landlord should be restricted properly, but without causing them from being stripped of their ability to control their property.
There are different ways for the law to protect the right of tenants. As an example, tenants can be evicted before the end of the renting period only with the approval of the court. Six months or at least a few months before the renting period ends; both parties should agree whether the renting period can be extended. The extension agreement is bound by law and landlords can’t immediately cancel their decision. In this case, landlords won’t be deprived of their power to maintain their house, but tenants can still be protected by the local law.
