Repairs and habitability: your rights
Page last updated: September 2, 2026 · How we source & update
Your home must be livable — heat, water, working plumbing, and safe conditions. Report problems in writing with dated photos, and learn your state's process before withholding rent or repairing-and-deducting. For dangerous conditions, get help first.
Educational — information, not legal advice, and not attorney-reviewed. Rules depend on your state, city, and lease; the app shows the rule we have sourced for where you live, with its official source and review status.
What this means
Landlords generally must keep rentals fit to live in, a duty often called the implied warranty of habitability. That usually covers heat, running water, working plumbing and electrical, and freedom from serious hazards. Who fixes what, how fast, and what you can do if they don't are set by your state.
Following the right process matters: many states require written notice and a chance to fix before you can withhold rent, repair-and-deduct, or break the lease. Skipping steps can put you at risk, so document everything and check the rule for your state.
What to do
- Report the problem in writing and keep a copy.
- Take dated photos or video of the condition.
- Learn your state's repair process before withholding rent.
- For no heat, gas leaks, or unsafe wiring, reach help first — safety comes before any tool.
Every letter and checklist above is free, with no login. If money or an eviction deadline is urgent, start with free rental assistance and legal aid in your state — help is always free.
Your rights vary by state
The specific deadlines and limits are set where you live. Start with your state:
Common questions
Turn this into action.
Renter Shield shows the rule we have sourced for your state with its review status, drafts calm letters, tracks deadlines, and keeps your evidence private on your device — free to start.
Related renter questions
Landlord not fixing things: the escalation path · Repair and deduct · Landlord responsibilities
See where you are in the process
Repair escalation: what to do, in what order — a stage map with no deadlines, showing what each stage means and what to do at it. All five decision guides.