What we verified in “Repairs as a renter: how to ask and what to do”

Statements and where we checked them

The statements with rules, figures or dates, with the exact place in the source and the date we checked them.

1. According to the CFPB, your rights as a tenant are usually spelled out in your rental agreement and state or local law; your landlord cannot refuse to make necessary repairs, fail to pay for utilities under their control or endanger the health and safety of tenants; many landlords have a lawyer in court, you can get legal help too and you could qualify for free legal aid; and if you live in subsidized housing you can report a bad landlord to HUD.

   Sources 1 · Your tenant and debt collection rights (page last modified Feb. 20, 2026), 'Report a bad landlord': 'Your rights as a tenant are usually spelled out in your rental agreement and state or local laws'; 'Refuse to make necessary repairs'; 'Fail to pay for utilities under their control'; 'Endanger the health and safety of tenants'; 'You can get legal help too, and you could qualify for free legal aid'; 'If you live in subsidized housing, report a bad landlord to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)' · Checked October 17, 2026

2. The California Attorney General explains that landlords are required to keep residential units safe and well-maintained, which is known as habitability: safe and working plumbing, heating, electrical equipment, floors and stairs; effective waterproofing; windows and doors with working locks; and a property free from roaches, rats and other vermin; even if tenants knew the unit fell short when they moved in, it is still the landlord's responsibility to make it habitable.

   Sources 2 · Landlord-Tenant Issues, 'Housing Conditions' (Civ. Code §1941.1): 'Landlords are required to keep residential units safe and well-maintained. This is known as habitability'; 'safe and working plumbing, heating, electrical equipment, floors, and stairs'; 'effective waterproofing'; 'windows and doors with working locks'; 'keeping the property free from roaches, rats, and other vermin'; 'Even if tenants knew that their unit was not up to these standards when they moved in, it is still the landlord's responsibility to make all units habitable' · Checked October 17, 2026

3. The California Attorney General says tenants with health or safety issues in their homes have a right to ask their landlords to make repairs; that they should make repair requests and complaints in writing; that they should document issues by text messages, emails, letters and certified mail, and also by videos and photos; and that they should keep a copy of all communications with the landlord.

   Sources 2 · Landlord-Tenant Issues, 'Housing Conditions': 'Tenants with health or safety issues in their homes have a right to ask their landlords to make repairs'; 'Tenants should make repair requests and complaints about unsafe or unhealthy conditions in writing'; 'Tenants should document issues by text messages, emails, letters, and certified mail, and also by videos and photos'; 'Tenants should keep a copy of any communications they have with their landlord' · Checked October 17, 2026

4. According to the California Attorney General, if a landlord refuses to make repairs, tenants should contact their local code enforcement office or local health department; cities or counties may also have a rent board or rent control program that deals with building health and safety; and if a tenant living with health or safety issues gets an eviction notice, it is very important to tell a lawyer or the court about those issues.

   Sources 2 · Landlord-Tenant Issues, 'Housing Conditions' (Civ. Code §§1942.3, 1942.4): 'If a landlord refuses to make repairs, tenants should contact their local code enforcement office or local health department'; 'Cities or counties may also have their own rent board or rent control program that deals with building health and safety'; 'it is very important for the tenant to inform a lawyer or the court about those health and safety issues' · Checked October 17, 2026

5. The California Attorney General notes that tenants are responsible for keeping their units clean and sanitary, using appliances and fixtures as intended and avoiding damage; if they cause damage, they may have to pay for the repair.

   Sources 2 · Landlord-Tenant Issues, 'Housing Conditions': 'Tenants are responsible for keeping their units clean and sanitary, and for using appliances and fixtures as intended'; 'If tenants cause damage to the unit, they may be responsible for the costs of repairing it' · Checked October 17, 2026

6. The California Attorney General says landlords may not retaliate against tenants for exercising their rights: for example, it is against the law to try to evict a tenant who asked for repairs or to take away services or rights the tenant already had, like a storage space or parking.

   Sources 2 · Landlord-Tenant Issues, 'Retaliation' (Civ. Code §1942.5): 'Landlords may not retaliate against tenants for exercising their rights'; 'it is against the law for a landlord to try to evict a tenant who has asked for repairs'; 'or to take away services or rights that the tenant previously enjoyed, like a storage space or parking' · Checked October 17, 2026

7. The California Attorney General says landlords are never allowed to threaten to disclose a tenant's or occupant's immigration status to pressure them to move out, or to harass or retaliate against a tenant by disclosing their immigration status to law enforcement.

   Sources 2 · Landlord-Tenant Issues, 'Discrimination': 'Landlords are never allowed to threaten to disclose a tenant or occupant’s immigration status in order to pressure a tenant to move out'; 'Landlords are also never allowed to harass or retaliate against a tenant by disclosing their immigration status to law enforcement' · Checked October 17, 2026

8. The California Department of Real Estate's tenant guide explains that in that state the repair-and-deduct remedy covers serious defects related to health and safety; that the repair cannot cost more than one month's rent; that it cannot be used more than twice in 12 months; that each remedy has its own risks and requirements; that it is a good idea to document defects with photos or video; and that if the defects were not serious enough, the landlord can sue to recover the money deducted or serve a 3-day notice to pay rent or quit.

   Sources 3 · California Tenants: A Guide to Residential Tenants’ and Landlords’ Rights and Responsibilities, 'The repair and deduct remedy', pp. 57-58: 'Each of these remedies has its own risks and requirements, so you should use them carefully'; 'it is always a good idea to document defective conditions with photographs and/or video'; 'The defects must be serious and directly related to the tenant’s health and safety'; 'The repairs cannot cost more than one month’s rent'; 'The tenant cannot use the repair and deduct remedy more than twice in any 12-month period'; 'The defects may not be serious enough to justify using the repair and deduct remedy'; 'the landlord can sue the tenant to recover the money deducted from the rent or can serve a 3-day notice to pay rent or quit' · Checked October 17, 2026

9. The New York Attorney General's guide explains that under the warranty of habitability tenants have the right to a livable, safe and sanitary apartment, a right implied in every written or oral residential lease; that a lease clause waiving it is void; that examples of a breach are failing to provide heat or hot water on a regular basis or failing to get rid of an insect infestation; and that a condition caused by the tenant or people under the tenant's control is not a breach by the landlord.

   Sources 4 · Residential Tenants’ Rights Guide, 'Warranty of Habitability' (Real Property Law §235-b): 'tenants have the right to a livable, safe and sanitary apartment, a right that is implied in every written or oral residential lease'; 'Any lease provision that waives this right is contrary to public policy and is therefore void'; 'the failure to provide heat or hot water on a regular basis, or the failure to rid an apartment of an insect infestation'; 'Any uninhabitable condition caused by the tenant or persons under the tenant’s direction or control does not constitute a breach of the warranty of habitability' · Checked October 17, 2026

10. According to the New York Attorney General, if a landlord breaches the warranty of habitability, the tenant may sue for a rent reduction; the tenant may also withhold rent, but the landlord may then sue for nonpayment and the tenant may countersue; to get a reduction, the landlord must have known about the defect; and in extenuating circumstances tenants may make necessary repairs and deduct the reasonable cost, keeping receipts and copies of their communications with the landlord.

    Sources 4 · Residential Tenants’ Rights Guide, 'Seeking Rent Reduction': 'If a landlord breaches the warranty of habitability, the tenant may sue for a rent reduction'; 'The tenant may also withhold rent, but in response, the landlord may sue the tenant for nonpayment of rent'; 'the tenant may countersue for breach of the warranty'; 'For a tenant to receive a reduction, the landlord must have actual or constructive notice of the existence of the defective condition'; 'In extenuating circumstances, tenants may make necessary repairs and deduct reasonable repair costs from the rent'; 'Tenants should keep receipts for such repairs and copies of all communications with the landlord about the repairs' · Checked October 17, 2026

11. The New York Attorney General explains that it is illegal to retaliate against tenants who make a good faith complaint to the landlord or a government agency about violations of health and safety laws, habitability problems or lack of repairs; and that if the landlord brings an eviction case within one year of that complaint, the law requires the landlord to show it is not retaliation.

    Sources 4 · Residential Tenants’ Rights Guide, 'Retaliation' (Real Property Law §223-b): 'It is also illegal for landlords in New York to retaliate against tenants who make a good faith complaint to them or to a government agency about violations of health and safety laws, issues with habitability or non-repair of the premises'; 'Within one year of making a good faith complaint, your landlord brings an eviction case against the tenant'; 'the law requires that the landlord to demonstrate that the eviction isn’t retaliatory' · Checked October 17, 2026

12. Under the Texas Property Code, a landlord must make a diligent effort to repair a condition if the tenant describes it in a notice to the person or place where rent is normally paid, the tenant is not behind on rent when giving notice and the condition materially affects the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant; the notice must be in writing only if the lease is in writing and requires it.

    Sources 5 · Tex. Prop. Code §92.052(a) and (d): 'A landlord shall make a diligent effort to repair or remedy a condition if'; 'the tenant specifies the condition in a notice to the person to whom or to the place where rent is normally paid'; 'the tenant is not delinquent in the payment of rent at the time notice is given'; 'materially affects the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant'; 'must be in writing only if the tenant's lease is in writing and requires written notice' · Checked October 17, 2026

13. Under the Texas Property Code, for the landlord to be liable, the tenant must give a second written notice after a reasonable time, or send the first one by certified mail with return receipt, registered mail or another trackable mail; the law presumes seven days is a reasonable time to repair; and if the landlord is liable, the tenant may terminate the lease, have the condition repaired and deduct the cost from rent, or seek remedies in court.

    Sources 5 · Tex. Prop. Code §92.056(b)(3), (d) and (e): 'the tenant has given the landlord a subsequent written notice to repair or remedy the condition after a reasonable time'; 'by sending that notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, by registered mail, or by another form of mail that allows tracking of delivery'; 'there is a rebuttable presumption that seven days is a reasonable time'; 'terminate the lease'; 'obtain judicial remedies according to Section 92.0563' · Checked October 17, 2026

14. In Texas, the tenant's deduction for a repair may not exceed one month's rent under the lease or $500, whichever is greater; and if the tenant withholds rent or deducts repairs in violation of the law, the landlord may recover actual damages.

    Sources 5 · Tex. Prop. Code §92.0561(b): 'The tenant's deduction for the cost of the repair or remedy may not exceed the amount of one month's rent under the lease or $500, whichever is greater'; §92.058(a): 'If the tenant withholds rents, causes repairs to be performed, or makes rent deductions for repairs in violation of this subchapter, the landlord may recover actual damages from the tenant' · Checked October 17, 2026

15. Under the Texas Property Code, within six months after a tenant gives a notice to repair or complains to the government entity that enforces building or housing codes, the landlord may not retaliate by filing an eviction, raising the rent or terminating the lease, among other actions; but an eviction because the tenant is behind on rent is not retaliation.

    Sources 5 · Tex. Prop. Code §92.331(a)–(b) and §92.332(b): 'gives a landlord a notice to repair or exercise a remedy under this chapter'; 'complains to a governmental entity responsible for enforcing building or housing codes'; 'A landlord may not, within six months after the date of the tenant's action under Subsection (a), retaliate against the tenant by'; 'filing an eviction proceeding'; 'increasing the tenant's rent or terminating the tenant's lease'; 'the tenant is delinquent in rent when the landlord gives notice to vacate or files an eviction action' · Checked October 17, 2026

16. Under Florida law, the landlord must comply with applicable building, housing and health codes; and, unless otherwise agreed in writing, in units other than a single-family home or duplex must make reasonable provisions for the extermination of rats, mice, roaches, ants, wood-destroying organisms and bedbugs, for locks and keys, and for working heat in winter, running water and hot water.

    Sources 6 · Fla. Stat. §83.51(1)(a) and (2)(a): 'Comply with the requirements of applicable building, housing, and health codes'; 'Unless otherwise agreed in writing'; 'the landlord of a dwelling unit other than a single-family home or duplex'; 'The extermination of rats, mice, roaches, ants, wood-destroying organisms, and bedbugs'; 'Locks and keys'; 'Functioning facilities for heat during winter, running water, and hot water' · Checked October 17, 2026

17. In Florida, a tenant may terminate the lease if the landlord does not comply within 7 days after a written notice describing the problem and the intent to terminate; may raise the noncompliance as a defense in a nonpayment eviction if 7 days have passed since a written notice saying rent will be withheld for that reason; but a tenant who raises any defense other than payment in an eviction must pay the rent claimed, and the rent that comes due during the case, into the court registry.

    Sources 6 · Fla. Stat. §83.56(1): 'within 7 days after delivery of written notice by the tenant specifying the noncompliance and indicating the intention of the tenant to terminate the rental agreement'; §83.60(1)(b): 'if 7 days have elapsed after the delivery of written notice by the tenant to the landlord, specifying the noncompliance and indicating the intention of the tenant not to pay rent by reason thereof'; §83.60(2): 'the tenant shall pay into the registry of the court the accrued rent as alleged in the complaint or as determined by the court and the rent that accrues during the pendency of the proceeding' · Checked October 17, 2026

18. Under Florida law, it is unlawful for a landlord to raise rent, cut services or bring or threaten an action for possession primarily in retaliation, for example because the tenant complained to the agency that enforces building, housing or health codes; the tenant must have acted in good faith, and the protection does not apply if the landlord proves good cause, such as nonpayment of rent.

    Sources 6 · Fla. Stat. §83.64(1) and (3): 'primarily because the landlord is retaliating against the tenant'; 'In order for the tenant to raise the defense of retaliatory conduct, the tenant must have acted in good faith'; 'The tenant has complained to a governmental agency charged with responsibility for enforcement of a building, housing, or health code of a suspected violation applicable to the premises'; 'this section does not apply if the landlord proves that the eviction is for good cause'; 'good faith actions for nonpayment of rent' · Checked October 17, 2026

19. Under Arizona law, the landlord must make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition, and supply running water and reasonable amounts of hot water at all times, plus reasonable heat and air-conditioning or cooling where installed and offered.

    Sources 7 · Ariz. Rev. Stat. §33-1324(A)(2) and (6): 'Make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition'; 'Supply running water and reasonable amounts of hot water at all times, reasonable heat and reasonable air-conditioning or cooling where such units are installed and offered' · Checked October 17, 2026

20. In Arizona, if the landlord does not comply and the reasonable cost is less than $300 or half a month's rent, whichever is greater, the tenant may notify the landlord in writing; if the landlord does not comply within ten days, the tenant may have the work done by a licensed contractor and, after giving the landlord an itemized statement and a lien waiver, deduct the cost from rent; this does not apply if the tenant or the tenant's family caused the problem.

    Sources 8 · Ariz. Rev. Stat. §33-1363(A)–(B): 'the reasonable cost of compliance is less than three hundred dollars, or an amount equal to one-half of the monthly rent, whichever amount is greater'; 'After being notified by the tenant in writing, if the landlord fails to comply within ten days'; 'cause the work to be done by a licensed contractor'; 'after submitting to the landlord an itemized statement and a waiver of lien'; 'A tenant may not repair at the landlord's expense if the condition was caused by the deliberate or negligent act or omission of the tenant' · Checked October 17, 2026

21. In Arizona, a landlord may not retaliate by raising rent, cutting services or bringing or threatening an action for possession after the tenant complained to the landlord or to the code agency; a complaint within the prior six months creates a presumption of retaliation; but the landlord may seek possession if the tenant is in default in rent.

    Sources 9 · Ariz. Rev. Stat. §33-1381(A)–(C): 'a landlord may not retaliate by increasing rent or decreasing services or by bringing or threatening to bring an action for possession'; 'The tenant has complained to the landlord of a violation under section 33-1324'; 'evidence of a complaint within six months prior to the alleged act of retaliation creates a presumption that the landlord's conduct was in retaliation'; 'The tenant is in default in rent' · Checked October 17, 2026

22. Under North Carolina law, the landlord must make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to keep the premises fit and habitable, and maintain and promptly repair electrical, plumbing, heating and other facilities the landlord supplies, provided the tenant gives written notice of needed repairs, except in emergencies.

    Sources 10 · N.C. Gen. Stat. §42-42(a)(2) and (4): 'Make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition'; 'provided that notification of needed repairs is made to the landlord in writing by the tenant, except in emergency situations' · Checked October 17, 2026

23. In North Carolina, a tenant facing eviction may raise the defense of retaliatory eviction and present evidence that the landlord is acting in response to a good faith complaint about defects the landlord must repair, made within 12 months before the lawsuit; but the landlord may prevail if the tenant did not pay rent and that is the reason for the eviction.

    Sources 11 · N.C. Gen. Stat. §42-37.1(a)–(c): 'about conditions or defects in the premises that the landlord is obligated to repair under G.S. 42-42'; 'a tenant may raise the affirmative defense of retaliatory eviction'; 'within 12 months of the filing of such action'; 'The tenant breached the covenant to pay rent' · Checked October 17, 2026

24. HUD says to always inform your landlord or manager about any issues with your unit; voucher holders and public housing residents should contact their local public housing agency; residents of HUD-assisted apartment complexes can call HUD's Multifamily Housing Complaint Line at (800) 685-8470; and all HUD-assisted properties are inspected to make sure they are decent, safe and sanitary.

    Sources 12 · Helping Americans, 'Current HUD-assisted Residents': 'Always inform your landlord or manager about any issues you have with your unit'; 'Housing choice vouchers or public housing (or other housing received through a public housing agency): contact your local public housing agency'; 'contact HUD’s Multifamily Housing Complaint Line at (800) 685-8470'; 'All HUD-assisted properties are inspected to make sure they are decent, safe, and sanitary' · Checked October 17, 2026

25. Under the federal Housing Choice Voucher rule, when a family reports a potential life-threatening deficiency, the PHA must inspect and notify the owner within 24 hours, and the owner must repair it within 24 hours of that notice; if it is not life-threatening, the PHA must inspect within 15 days and the owner must repair within 30 days or any PHA-approved extension; and the PHA may not charge the family for the inspection.

    Sources 13 · 24 CFR §982.405(d)(1)–(2) and (g): 'If the reported deficiency is life-threatening, the PHA must, within 24 hours of notification, both inspect the housing unit and notify the owner'; 'The owner must then make the repairs within 24 hours of PHA notification'; 'the PHA must, within 15 days of notification, both inspect the unit and notify the owner'; 'The owner must then make the repairs within 30 days of notification from the PHA or within any PHA-approved extension'; 'The PHA may not charge the family for an initial inspection or reinspection of the unit' · Checked October 17, 2026

26. Under the federal lead disclosure rule, before a tenant is obligated under a lease for housing built before 1978, the landlord must provide an EPA-approved lead hazard pamphlet and disclose any known lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards; the rule does not require the landlord to test for or remove lead.

    Sources 14 · 40 CFR §745.107(a): 'before the purchaser or lessee is obligated under any contract to purchase or lease target housing'; 'Nothing in this section implies a positive obligation on the seller or lessor to conduct any evaluation or reduction activities'; 'The seller or lessor shall provide the purchaser or lessee with an EPA-approved lead hazard information pamphlet'; 'disclose to the purchaser or lessee the presence of any known lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards' · Checked October 17, 2026

27. The federal rule defines the housing covered by lead disclosure as any housing built before 1978, except housing for the elderly or persons with disabilities and 0-bedroom units, unless a child under 6 lives or is expected to live there.

    Sources 15 · 40 CFR §745.103, 'Target housing': 'Target housing means any housing constructed prior to 1978, except housing for the elderly or persons with disabilities or any 0-bedroom dwelling (unless any child who is less than 6 years of age resides or is expected to reside in such housing)' · Checked October 17, 2026

28. HUD's Fair Housing Act rule prohibits failing or delaying maintenance or repairs of a rental home because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin.

    Sources 16 · 24 CFR §100.65(b)(2): 'Failing or delaying maintenance or repairs of sale or rental dwellings because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin' · Checked October 17, 2026