To find out more about state laws on repair and maintenance responsibilities, check your state's landlord-tenant statutes . Your local building or housing authority, and health or fire department, can provide information on local housing codes and penalties for violations. If a landlord doesn't meet his or her legal responsibilities, a tenant usually has several options, depending on the state. A tenant can also sue the landlord for a partial refund of past rent, and in some circumstances can sue for the discomfort, annoyance and emotional distress caused by the substandard conditions. Tenants should check state and local laws and understand remedies available before taking any action such as withholding rent.
All tenants have the responsibility to keep their own living quarters clean and sanitary.
And a landlord can usually delegate his repair and maintenance tasks to the tenant in exchange for a reduction in rent. If the tenant fails to do the job well, however, the landlord is not excused from his responsibility to maintain habitability. In addition, tenants must carefully use common areas and facilities, such as lobbies, garages and pools. Rental Advisor Phil Rhodes answers your questions on renting and moving. All rights reserved.