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Simple English definitions for legal terms
habitable
Read a random definition: cross-collateral
A quick definition of habitable:
Term: habitable
Definition: A habitable place to live is a home that is safe and healthy for people to live in. This means that landlords must make sure that the house or apartment has basic things like heat, hot water, and working plumbing. The building must also be structurally sound and not have any dangerous problems. If the landlord does not keep the home habitable, tenants have ways to get it fixed. This is a law in every state, and it means that everyone has the right to live in a safe and healthy home.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: A habitable residence is a place where people can live safely and comfortably without any serious defects that may pose a risk to their health and safety. Landlords are required by law to provide habitable premises and maintain them. The definition of a habitable dwelling may vary from state to state, but all agree that basic services such as adequate heat, hot water, and plumbing, as well as a sound structure that does not pose unreasonable safety risks, are required in every rental.
Example: If a tenant rents an apartment and the plumbing is not working, the apartment is not habitable. The landlord must fix the plumbing to make the apartment habitable.
Explanation: This example illustrates that a habitable residence must have basic services such as plumbing. If the plumbing is not working, it poses a risk to the tenant's health and safety, making the apartment uninhabitable. The landlord has a legal obligation to fix the plumbing to make the apartment habitable.
Example: If a tenant rents a house and the roof is leaking, the house is not habitable. The landlord must fix the roof to make the house habitable.
Explanation: This example illustrates that a habitable residence must have a sound structure that does not pose unreasonable safety risks. If the roof is leaking, it poses a risk to the tenant's health and safety, making the house uninhabitable. The landlord has a legal obligation to fix the roof to make the house habitable.
Example: If a tenant rents a basement apartment and there is no heat, the apartment is not habitable. The landlord must provide heat to make the apartment habitable.
Explanation: This example illustrates that a habitable residence must have basic services such as adequate heat. If there is no heat, it poses a risk to the tenant's health and safety, making the apartment uninhabitable. The landlord has a legal obligation to provide heat to make the apartment habitable.
Conclusion: A habitable residence is a place where people can live safely and comfortably without any serious defects that may pose a risk to their health and safety. Landlords have a legal obligation to provide habitable premises and maintain them. If a residence is not habitable, tenants have various remedies, such as rent withholding, repair and deduct, and legal action, to ensure that their residence is made habitable.