8 answers

Repairs & Maintenance Questions

What your landlord must fix, how to ask in a way that protects you, and the remedies the law gives you when repairs do not get made.

Is my landlord required to fix things in my apartment?Yes — state law requires your landlord to keep the rental unit safe and livable. This "implied warranty of habitability" exists automatically, but what it covers and what you can do if it's violated both depend on your state.
Do I need renters insurance?It isn't a legal requirement in any state, but your lease can require it, and your landlord's own insurance almost certainly won't cover your belongings if something goes wrong.
What are my rights if my apartment has mold?Mold that's making your unit unsafe or unlivable is generally your landlord's responsibility to fix under the habitability laws that apply everywhere, even in states with no mold-specific statute.
What can I do if my landlord won't make repairs?Start with a written repair request and a specific deadline — after that, your options depend entirely on your state, and can include reporting to a housing inspector, repairing and deducting, withholding rent into escrow, or ending the lease.
What are my rights if my landlord is renovating the building?Your landlord generally can't force you out mid-lease to renovate, and you keep your right to a livable unit and quiet enjoyment throughout the work, though a few states let a landlord end a tenancy for major renovations with extra notice.
Can I withhold rent if my landlord won't make repairs?Only where your state's law specifically allows it, and usually only by following a strict process like paying rent into a court escrow account — several states give tenants no self-help withholding right at all.
What is the warranty of habitability?It's the legal doctrine that requires a landlord to keep a rental unit safe and livable throughout the tenancy, existing automatically under state law regardless of what your lease says.
Can I hire someone to make repairs and deduct it from rent?Only where your state's law specifically creates this "repair-and-deduct" remedy, and only if you follow its exact requirements — several states don't offer it at all and expect you to use a different remedy entirely.

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