Housing...Inside and Out

September 8, 1998
Rules And Regulations Set By The Landlord -Part 3

The landlord has the right to set reasonable rules and regulations for the management of dwelling units, shared areas and facilities, and also for the grounds. Such rules must be designed for the convenience and safety of renters to preserve the property or to allocate or govern the fair use of joint services and facilities such as laundry rooms, storage areas, swimming pools, or parking areas.

In the adoption of such rules and regulations concerning the renter's use and occupancy of the premises, they are usually enforceable against the tenant only if:

  • The purpose is to promote the convenience, safety, or welfare of all renters in the premises; preserve the landlord's property from abusive use; or make a fair distribution of services and facilities held out for tenants generally;
  • It applies to all persons occupying the premises in a fair and nondiscriminatory manner; 
  • It is sufficiently explicit in its prohibition, direction, or limitation of your conduct to fairly inform you of what you must or must not do to comply;
  • It is not for the purpose of evading the obligations of the landlord; 
  • You have been given notice of it at the time you entered into the rental arrangement.

Rules and regulations can cause problems between landlords and renters. Among the most common rules and restrictions for apartment dwellers, some may concern:

  • House parties, noise, stereos, TV, or musical instruments
  • Mounting pictures on the wall
  • Painting or papering walls
  • Parking space for tenants and guests
  • Pets
  • Recreation and common-use facilities
  • Special furniture and appliances such as water beds and hot plates
  • Unsolicited salespeople
  • Use of grounds for such outdoor activities as games, gardening, bicycles and loitering
  • Uses of laundry facilities and public accommodations
  • Landlord's right to keys for any locks placed on doors.


Written by Dr. Francis Graham (Retired)

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