Due to the overwhelming amount of landlord/tenant law questions to our firm, Atkins & Markoff would like to provide some basic information via our website. This does not constitute legal advice. Our firm does not currently handle landlord/tenant issues and we cannot provide legal advice via phone calls or email at this time. We apologize for this inconvenience; however, we hope that the information contained in the website will answer the majority of your questions.

Oklahoma Renter's Rights

By law, renters in Oklahoma have rights relating to their home or apartment which cannot be eliminated via the landlord/tenant rental agreement. The residential Landlord -Tenant Law provides the legal framework for the lease, as well as the relations between landlord and tenant. The following is a list of rights afforded to the renter. Violations of these rights can render a rental contract void.

• Except in the case of a single family residence, a landlord must keep all common areas used by more than one tenant safe and clean
• A landlord must keep your premises in a safe, livable condition
• A landlord must keep all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and other facilities and appliances in good and safe working order, unless otherwise agreed to by a contract independent of the rental agreement
• A landlord must - if the dwelling is other than a one or two-family residence - provide trash receptacles and frequent removal, unless this is provided by a government entity
• A landlord must supply running water and reasonable amounts of hot water at all times, and reasonable heat, unless the tenant/tenants live in a single-family dwelling or have a separate metered utility connection for these services

In order to establish a functional and mutually beneficial relationship between landlord and tenant, both parties must be acutely aware both of their rights and responsibilities. Should you feel those rights have been violated, it is in your best interest to seek the advice of qualified and established legal counsel from Atkins & Markoff as soon as possible.