Getting Your Landlord to Make Repairs

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

If your landlord hasn't met the responsibility of keeping your unit livable, you might be able to stop paying any rent to the landlord until the repairs are made.

According to the law in nearly every state, landlords must offer and maintain habitable rentals. What can you do if your landlord fails to comply?

What tenants should know about landlords' responsibility for bed bugs in rental properties.

Learn your rights to know about a bed bug problem in the rental property.

Understand your options when your landlord refuses to address a bed bug problem in your rental.

Provide written notice to your landlord and follow state procedures before withholding rent for repair problems.

Put your requests for new locks, improved security, or a solution to other safety problems in the rental into writing.

Empower Yourself: DIY Products by Nolo

Sidestep the lawyers with do-it-yourself books, documents, and software.

Protect your rights as a tenant and learn how to deal with problem landlords using the forms and information in these two books.
The go-to survival guide for California tenants
Minimize disputes over security deposits with this easy-to-use form.
Let your landlord know you're moving with this easy-to-use form.

Nolo offers hundreds of consumer-friendly, do-it-yourself legal products for all types of legal situations. Browse our full product list.

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