Repairs and Maintenance

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

Tenant obligations to keep their rental in good shape.

When landlords offer a property as a rental, they make a promise (whether they know it or not) to maintain the property in a habitable condition during the tenancy.

Most states have laws that give tenants specific options if the landlord fails to provide essential services or repair major problems, such as allowing tenants to withhold rent or repair the problem and deduct the cost of doing so from the rent. Find out what options are available in your state.

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.

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

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

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?

Landlords might have to repaint a rental in only a few situations.

An appliance has stopped working in a rental property. Who's responsible for the repair—the landlord or the tenant?