National Landlord-Tenant Act

National Landlord-Tenant Act - Title I: National Landlord and Tenant Commission - Establishes the National Landlord and Tenant Commission. States that the Commission shall: (1) conduct and commission a study of landlord and tenant problems in the United States and review the implementation of the provisions of this Act; (2) submit to the President and to Congress such reports it deems appropriate; (3) publish the results of the investigations, studies, and research conducted under authority of this title; (4) make grants to the States for the establishment and maintenance of housing courts, and develop regulations concerning a review system for such grants; (5) develop model lease and rental agreement forms; (6) establish rules and guidelines for the purpose of implementing and enforcing this Act; and (7) appoint a special body to develop and implement a national rent control plan.

Requires the Commission to utilize the services of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and all other Government agencies dealing with housing problems.

Title II: Housing Courts - Authorizes the National Landlord-Tenant Commission to make grants to the States for the purpose of establishing and operating housing courts. Directs the Commission to promulgate standards for landlord-tenant dispute settlement procedures.

Authorizes to be appropriated $500,000,000 for the fiscal years 1977 and 1978, and for the succeeding fiscal years such sums as Congress may authorize.

Title III: Landlord- Tenant Act - States that this Act applies to, regulates, and determines rights, obligations, and remedies under a rental agreement, applicable to all rental units in the United States.

Provides that housing courts of the States and all other appropriate courts of general jurisdiction over any landlord or tenant with jurisdiction with respect to any claim arising from a transaction subject to this Act.

Title IV: Provisions of the Rental Agreement - States that a landlord and a tenant may include in a rental agreement terms and conditions not prohibited by this chapter or other rule of law, including rent, term of the agreement, and other provisions governing the rights, obligations, and remedies of the parties.

Provides that in the absence of agreement or legislation fixing the amount of rent the tenant shall pay the fair rental value for the use and occupancy of the dwelling unit.

Title V: Landlord Obligations - Requires every landlord to: (1) comply with the requirements of applicable building and housing codes; (2) make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition; (3) keep all common areas of the premises in a clean and safe condition; (4) provide and maintain in good and safe working order and condition all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, locks, and other existing facilities such as elevators, steps, and fire safety equipment supplied or required to be supplied by the landlord; (5) provide and maintain appropriate and convenient receptacles for the removal of ashes, garbage, rubbish, and other waste incidental to the occupancy of the dwelling unit and arrange for its removal; and (6) supply running water and reasonable amounts of hot water at all times and reasonable heat based on geographic location.

Requires the landlord or any person authorized to enter into a rental agreement on his behalf to disclose to the tenant in writing at or before the commencement of the tenancy the name and address of: (1) the person authorized to manage the premises; and (2) the owner of the premises or a person authorized to act for and on behalf of the owner for the purpose of service of process and for the purpose of receiving complaints, notices, and demands.

Sets forth regulations governing the administration of security deposits. Limits the amount of such deposit to one month's rent. Requires the payment of interest on such deposits.

Title VI: Tenant Obligations - States that the tenant shall: (1) comply with all obligations imposed upon tenants by applicable provisions of building and housing codes; (2) keep that part of the premises that he occupies and uses as clean and safe as the condition of the premises permit; (3) keep all plumbing fixtures in the dwelling unit or those used by the tenant as clean as their condition permits; (4) use in a reasonable manner all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and other facilities and appliances including elevators on the premises; (5) not deliberately or negligently destroy, deface, damage, impair, or remove any part of the premises or knowingly permit any person to do so; (6) regularly dispose from his dwelling unit all ashes, rubbish garbage, and other waste in a clean and safe manner; and (7) conduct himself and require other persons on the premises with his consent to conduct themselves in a manner that will not disturb his neighbors' peaceful enjoyment of the premises.

Title VII: Landlord Remedies - Sets forth landlord's remedies for: (1) tenant's nonpayment of rent; (2) tenant's refusal to allow lawful access; and (3) tenant's abandonment. Makes provisions for landlord's remedies after the termination of the rental agreement.

Title VIII: Tenant Remedies - Establishes tenant remedies for the landlord's: (1) violation of housing codes or the rental agreement; (2) failure to deliver possession; and (3) abuse of access.

Title IX: Procedures for Contesting Allegations of Breach - Establishes procedures for both the landlord and the tenant to contest any allegations of a breach of the provisions of this Act or the rental agreement.

Title X: Miscellaneous Provisions - States that if any provision of this Act or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or application of the Act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.