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Renter’s Rights Checklist

Housing laws tend to be state or local laws. These are the general protections given to renters:

Rent

While some landlords charge market rate for rentals, rent control laws bind others.  Security deposit amounts may be bound by state or local laws.

Condition

In general, you have the right to inhabit a rental unit with functioning electric, heat and plumbing systems that is free of pests. Your landlord is responsible for the general upkeep of the unit.

Access

You have the right to enjoy your rental unit and your privacy.  Your landlord must give you ample warning before entering your unit.

Eviction

Eviction laws vary by state, but the landlord must inform you of his/her intentions regarding eviction.

Discrimination

Fair housing laws are federal laws.  They protect renters from being discriminated against based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability.

Disclosure

Local housing laws vary in dictating the level of detail that a landlord must provide you regarding what happened in that rental unit before you arrived.