Sources of rights, obligations and remedies. The rights, obligations
and remedies of landlords and tenants, as defined in this chapter,
are contained in:
Effect of any lease or rental agreement regarding dwellings. Unless
an agreement or an applicable provision of the rental agreement is
clearly contrary to the requirements of this chapter, the agreement
or provision will govern the rights and obligations of any party before
the Tribal Court, and the Tribal Court must grant the relief provided
for in the agreement according to its terms. Where there is no written
agreement, the intent of the parties expressed in their oral agreement
or relationship will govern, as well as applicable provisions of this
chapter.
Make all necessary repairs to put and maintain the premises in a
fit and habitable condition, except where the premises are rendered
unfit or uninhabitable by the lessee or his guest; in which case,
such duty shall be the duty of the tenant.
Maintain in safe working order all electrical, plumbing, sanitary,
heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and other appliances where
such things are not the responsibility of the tenant.
Guarantee the right of guest enjoyment of the dwelling unit to the
tenant and ensure that the conduct of other tenants does not cause
a nuisance or endanger the public health, safety or quiet enjoyment
of others.
Disclose in writing the name, address and phone number of the person(s)
responsible for receiving rent notices and demands under this chapter,
as well as the person(s) authorized to manage the dwelling unit and
the person(s) responsible for making repairs where and when they are
required.
Conduct themselves and require their guests to conduct themselves
in a manner which does not disturb the quiet enjoyment of others or
causes a breach of the peace.
Use the dwelling only for residential purposes and not give
the unit to others, assign a lease or sublease the dwelling unit without
the written permission of the landlord.
Tenant remedies. Where the landlord has not complied with its responsibilities
under this chapter or the terms of the rental agreement regarding
dwelling unit, the tenant shall have the following rights and remedies:
Give reasonable notice to the landlord to require the landlord to
comply with its obligations under the rental agreement and this chapter,
demand repairs which are the responsibility of the landlord, and to
terminate the agreement under which the tenant occupies the residential
rental unit.
Should the landlord fail to make repairs within a reasonable time
after the need for them is duly noticed by the tenant, to cure the
landlord's noncompliance the tenant may:
Institute an action in Tribal Court to seek an order or judgment
for the payment of monies or costs; compliance with the rental agreement
or other legal obligations of the landlord; terminate the agreement
with the landlord; or any other relief to which the tenant may be
entitled by law or under the rental agreement.
Give reasonable notice to the tenant demanding that tenant comply
with his/her/their obligations; pay monies due and owing under the
rental agreement; terminate the rental agreement and demand that the
tenant(s) and other occupants vacate the premises.
Require repairs or maintenance which are the responsibility of the
tenant and compliance with other reasonable rules and regulations
for occupancy of residential rental units prescribed in this chapter
and other applicable tribal codes.
Institute an action in Tribal Court to seek an order or judgment
for payment of monies and/or costs; compelling compliance with the
rental agreement and obligations of tenants; termination of the rental
agreement; payment of damages; eviction of the tenants; and any other
relief to which the landlord may be entitled under this chapter, the
rental agreement or other applicable law.
The landlord may regain possession of a dwelling unit, in accordance
with this section, where a tenant has vacated the premises without
notice to the landlord, if one or more of the following conditions
exist:
The landlord shall make reasonable attempts to notify the tenant
before declaring the property abandoned. Reasonable notice may consist
of one of the following:
Possession and property left in or on an abandoned premise shall
be forfeited to the landlord after thirty (30) days from the date
that notice of abandonment was made to the tenant.