Renters' Rights to Minor Repairs

How to get landlords to keep their end of the maintenance bargain.

Tenant Repair and Maintenance Responsibilities

Tenant obligations to keep their rental in good shape.

Tenant Rights to a Livable Place

Landlords must provide tenants with a safe and livable rental home.

Sample Agreement with Landlord: Painting Rental Unit

If your landlord agrees to let you paint your apartment, get all details in writing

Sample Letter with Landlord: Repairs for New Tenant

Get all landlord promises in writing—before you move in.

How to Get Your Landlord to Make Minor Repairs

Strategies for getting leaky faucets and other annoying problems fixed

How to Get Your Landlord to Make Major Repairs

How to write a convincing request for repairs letter to your landlord

Tenant Options if Your Landlord Won't Make Major Repairs

Tenant "big stick" remedies if your landlord won't handle serious habitability problems

Sample Letter to Landlord: You Intend to Withhold the Rent

If your landlord has failed to keep your rental unit livable, you may be able to stop paying rent until the repairs are made. Your right to withhold rent—and the specific procedures you must foll

Sample Letter to Landlord: Permission to Do a Minor Repair

Many leases and rental agreements forbid tenants from making any “repairs, alterations, or improvements.” Even if you don’t have such a clause, check with the landlord before you make any improve

Sample Letter to Landlord: Deteriorating Asbestos

Federal OSHA regulations on workplace standards for the testing, maintenance, and disclosure of asbestos, landlords are responsible for dealing with the risks posed by asbestos.

Sample Tenant Letter Requesting Reimbursement for Temporary Housing

Sometimes it isn’t possible to shield yourself from the effects of deteriorating asbestos or other health hazards in your rental unit, or even from your landlord’s repairs or renovations involvin

Sample Letter: Request Inspection of CO Detector

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless lethal gas. Unlike other environmental hazards, such as lead, CO can not be covered up or masked.

How to Avoid Carbon Monoxide Problems in Rentals

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a lethal gas with no color or odor, that is a byproduct of fuel (gas, oil, wood, etc.) combustion. When inhaled, CO enters the bloodstream and replaces oxygen. Low levels can cause mild nausea or headaches; high concentrations of CO can bring on unconsciousness, brain damage,

Radon Problems in Rentals

The U.S.

Sample Letter to Landlord Requesting a Radon Test

If you have reason to believe that you have a radon problem in your rental unit, you’ll want to have your place te

Sample Letter to Landlord Regarding a Likely Radon Problem

If you believe that you have a radon problem in your rental unit, you’ll want to alert your landlord, using the

Renters' Insurance

Learn about the basics of renters' insurance.

Why Do I Need Renters' Insurance?

Learn about the benefits of having renters' insurance.

Should I Buy Renters' Insurance?

If you are a tenant, learn the benefits of renters' insurance and how it will protect you.

What Damages are Covered Under Renters' Insurance?

Learn how renters’ insurance will protect your personal belongings from damage or loss, as well as your liability for guest injuries at your rental home.

How to Choose the Right Renters' Insurance Coverage for Your Personal Belongings

Learn how to do a personal property inventory and choose renters' insurance coverage for your personal belongings.

Renters' Insurance Claims for Damaged or Stolen Property

Learn the basics of filing a claim under your renters' insurance policy.

Renters' Insurance Coverage When You Use Airbnb or VRBO

Renters' insurance can cover you from losses while you travel.

Shouldn't the Landlord Reimburse Me for Improvements?

I had a note and agreement for residing in a residence for an unspecified period of time. I made thousands of dollars' worth of improvements to the property. Is the landlord required by law to reimburse me for these improvements?

Shouldn't My Apartment Have Hot Water and Heat?

I live in an apartment and for the past month, I've had hot water only every few days. I can't shower for work or do dishes. Also, my heat isn't working. It's okay in the day, but at night it gets really cold and is still really cold when I wake up and have to take a cold shower. The landlords keep stonewalling me and telling me they will get these things fixed, but it never happens; they won't even give me the number to their corporate headquarters. Do I have any rights?

Is My Landlord Required to Fix a Major Leak and Exposed Wires?

I am living in an apartment complex and there are several problems with my unit. One of them has been going on since last summer -- a huge hole above my shower and a pipe that leaks when my upstairs neighbors take long showers. It is mildewed and looks and smells awful. There are also two outlets in my sons' bedroom with exposed wires. Do I have any legal recourse against the apartment complex?

Is the Landlord Legally Required to Repaint Rental Units Between Tenants?

I’m moving into an apartment that really needs some painting. Is the landlord legally required to repaint rental units between tenants?

Q&A on Improvement and Alterations

My lease forbids me to make any repairs, alterations, or improvements to the premises. Is this legal?

Q&A on Satellite Dishes

How can I convince my landlord to let me install a small satellite dish on my apartment balcony?  

Is the Landlord Responsible for Disclosing Asbestos in My Rental Unit, or at Least Fixing It?

I think the ceilings in my apartment contain asbestos. The landlord never said anything about this when I signed the lease and now the bedroom ceiling is peeling a bit.

Can I Force My Landlord to Test for Asbestos?

Question  I’m concerned about that the “cottage cheese” ceilings in my apartment contain asbestos. Can I force my landlord to test for asbestos?

Is Your Rental Unit Exempt from Lead Hazard Disclosure Rules?

Question I’m moving in to a studio apartment in an older building and my landlord said he does not have to provide lead hazard disclosures to me. Is that true?

Is the Landlord Responsible for Appliance Repair?

Question: My refrigerator broke and my landlord says I have to fix it because that’s what my lease says. Isn’t that illegal?

If the Landlord Won't Handle Pest Control, Can We Deduct from Our Rent?

The lease for our New York City apartment refers to the landlord's responsibility for pest control; it does not state frequency, just that he is responsible. We have had some little -- and a couple not so little -- critters in the apartment and, despite calls to the building management company, have not seen an exterminator for our apartment. Is it legal for us to hire an exterminator on our own and subtract the cost from our rent?

Can My Landlord Cut the Air Conditioning to Offset Rising Costs?

I live in an apartment building with central air conditioning and heat. The landlord is freaking out about his rising utility bill, gas and electric. He says he may cut the air conditioning this summer -- which means I'll bake. Can he just turn off the switch like this?