Who bears the cost of installing a mezuzah in a rented house?
The mezuzah, guardrail, and similar personal religious and safety additions are the tenant's responsibility. The landlord is responsible for structural repairs like doors, windows, roof beams, and locks.
Question 2
A landlord rents a house month-to-month (no fixed end date) in a city. How much notice must he give before evicting the tenant?
In large cities, both landlord and tenant must give 12 months advance notice — whether in summer or winter. In small towns, 30 days suffices, with extra protection against eviction during the winter season.
Question 3
Housing prices fall significantly after a tenant rented month-to-month. What can the tenant do?
If housing prices fall, the tenant can demand adjustment to the current market rate, telling the landlord: 'Either rent it to me at the current price, or here is your house back.' The right to price adjustment is mutual.
Question 4
A landlord's own home collapses while he has a tenant in his other house. Can he evict the tenant?
The Rambam rules that a landlord whose own home falls may immediately compel the tenant to leave, saying: 'You have no greater right to my house than I do.' The landlord's personal need outweighs the tenant's interest in convenience.
Question 5
The landlord sells a rented house to a new buyer. Can the new owner immediately evict the tenant?
The tenant may tell the new owner: 'You acquired your rights from the seller — you have no greater power than he had.' All notice period requirements apply to the new owner exactly as they applied to the original landlord.