Landlords Must Provide These 13 Things To Tenants

Landlords can’t deny you housing just because of your race, gender, family status, or disability. That’s illegal under the Fair Housing Act. They also can’t discriminate against you for being LGBTQ+. Basically, everyone has to be treated the same when it comes to renting a place. Landlords also can’t segregate families from other tenants – they all have to have equal access to listings.

There are a few exceptions, though. Landlords aren’t required to rent to people with criminal records, even if that disproportionately affects certain protected groups. It’s a gray area, but the idea is to balance fair housing with safety concerns. Still, landlords have to be really careful about how they handle background checks and denials.

A lot of rentals have strict “no pets” policies. But service animals are different – landlords have to let you have them, even if they normally don’t allow pets. This is because of fair housing and disability laws. The landlord can’t charge you extra fees for your service animal either. The only exception is if the animal is aggressive or causes major damage – then the landlord can take action.

Just keep in mind that emotional support animals don’t have the same protections as service animals. Landlords can sometimes deny those, especially in smaller properties where the owner lives.

Landlords have to let you know if they’re aware of any lead-based paint in the home you’re renting. This is a federal law, because lead can be dangerous, especially for young kids. The landlord has to disclose this info before you sign the lease. There are a few exceptions, like short-term rentals or housing certified as lead-free.

Even if the lead is covered up, the landlord still has to tell you about it. That way, you know to be careful if you start doing any renovations that could disturb the paint. It’s all about making sure tenants are aware of potential hazards before they move in.

If your landlord’s home goes into foreclosure, you don’t have to move out right away. Federal law says you get at least 90 days’ notice before eviction, or the rest of your lease term, whichever is longer. This is to protect tenants from being punished for their landlord’s financial troubles. The idea is that you shouldn’t lose your home just because your landlord is behind on the mortgage.

This rule was put in place after the 2008 housing crisis, when a lot of people were displaced due to foreclosures. So even if your landlord is in hot water, you’ve still got time to find a new place to live.

In states that follow the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA), landlords have to make sure the rental property meets all the local building and housing codes. These are the minimum standards for things like safety, sanitation, and livability. The landlord has to take care of anything that doesn’t meet the code before you move in.

For example, in Alabama, the windows have to have proper mesh screens. And in Iowa, any accessory structures like fences and garages have to be in good working order. So the landlord can’t just rent you a place that’s falling apart – they’ve got to keep it up to snuff.

But the landlord’s job isn’t done once you move in. URLTA also says they have to keep making repairs to maintain the property’s compliance with housing codes. If something isn’t up to code or is affecting your health and safety, the landlord has to fix it.

For example, if your windows are missing screens or your fence is falling apart, the landlord has to take care of that. Even if it’s a minor issue, they legally have to address it. Of course, they might try to give you the runaround, but the law is on your side if you push for them to make the necessary fixes.

If you live in a building with common areas like lobbies, elevators, or a gym, the landlord has to keep those spaces clean and safe. Even if they hire a property management company, the landlord is still responsible.

So if the lights are out in the stairwell or the lobby floor is cracked, the landlord has to fix that. Neglecting common areas can lead to injuries, which the landlord could be liable for. This rule applies in URLTA states, but even in other states, landlords can still get in trouble if someone gets hurt due to unsafe common areas.

On top of the building itself, landlords in URLTA states also have to keep essential systems and appliances in working order. That includes electrical, plumbing, heating, and cooling. So if your power goes out or your oven breaks, you can make the landlord fix it.

However, tenants also have a responsibility to use these systems properly. If you cause damage by misusing something, the landlord might not be on the hook for repairs. But overall, the landlord has to maintain everything to make sure the place is livable.