The rules about landlord-tenant relationships come from state laws, regulations, and common practices. Here are the main points to help you understand this better:

1. Lease Agreements: A lease is a contract that landlords and tenants both sign. Did you know that about half of leases are not written down? Written leases explain everyone’s rights, duties, and how long someone can stay in the place. If the agreement is only spoken, it can lead to confusion later.

2. Rights and Responsibilities: Both landlords and tenants have certain rights and things they must do.

   Landlords must:

   • Provide a safe and livable home.
   • Fix things that are broken in a timely manner.
   • Keep tenant privacy in mind.

   Tenants must:

   • Pay rent on time. About 43% of evictions happen because rent isn’t paid.
   • Take care of the property.
   • Let the landlord know ahead of time if they plan to move out.

3. Security Deposits: Most states let landlords ask for a security deposit. This is usually one to two months’ worth of rent. Studies show that about 85% of landlords keep part of this deposit when the lease ends.

4. Eviction Procedures: Evictions must follow specific legal steps. In 2020, the number of evictions went up by about 25% because of money problems from the COVID-19 pandemic. This shows how important legal protections are to stop unfair evictions.

5. Dispute Resolution: Many states suggest mediation to solve disagreements. This can help fix about 30% of landlord-tenant problems without going to court.

Knowing these key points is important for understanding property rules better.