1 What are my landlord’s responsibilities? 
2 As a tenant, what are my responsibilities?
3 What provisions are prohibited in rental agreements? 
4 What is a three-day notice?
5 What is rent? 

  What are my landlord’s responsibilities? 

1. Comply with applicable housing codes
2. Make necessary repairs to keep the premises fit and habitable
3. Keep common areas clean and safe
4. Maintain all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and any other facility or appliance to be supplied by him/her
5. Provide garbage cans and arrange for trash service
6. Provide running water and hot water, unless the dwelling has its own hot water heater under the control of the tenant

 

As a tenant, what are my responsibilities? 

1. Pay rent on time
2. Comply with your obligations under applicable housing codes
3. Keep your part of the premises clean and safe
4. Dispose of your garbage and other waste
5. Keep your plumbing fixtures clean
6. Use in a reasonable manner all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, hearing, ventilating, and air conditioning
7. Do not damage the premises
8. Do not disturb neighbors
9. Follow the rules of any applicable condominium or neighborhood association

 

What provisions are prohibited in rental agreements? 

1. A court may refuse to enforce any unconscionable provision
2. Waiver of rights and remedies under the Uniform Residential Landlord Tenant Act
3. Confessions of judgment on claims arising or of the rental agreement
4. Agreements to pay attorney fees
5. Exculpation or limitation of liability of the landlord for negligence
6. Indemnification of the landlord for negligence
7. If the landlord uses prohibited provisions known by him/her to be prohibited, the tenant may recover actual damages and attorney fees

 

What is a three-day notice? 

1. If a tenant has failed to pay rent when due, this is the landlord’s first step in the eviction process.  Government agencies may use a three-day notice for any lease violation.
2. It is a letter to the tenant that makes demand for rent and notifies the tenant of the landlord’s intent to terminate the lease if payment is not made.  It says essentially, pay the amount owed or move out within three days.
3. The tenant does not have to move out after three days.  The tenant may stay until the constable removes him/her from the property.  If, however, the tenant’s refusal to move out is willful and not in good faith the landlord may recover an amount equal to three months’ periodic rent or three times the actual damages sustained by him, whichever is greater, and reasonable attorney’s fees.

 

What is rent? 

1. Rent is defined by Neb. Rev. Stat. §76-1410 (10) as “all payments to be made to the landlord under the rental agreement.”