Repairs & Habitability
Rental Property Rules
The implied warranty of habitability, how long a landlord has to fix essential services (heat, water, plumbing, mold), and tenant remedies such as repair-and-deduct, rent withholding, or breaking the lease.
How Repairs & Habitability Rules Differ by Place
Rancho Cordova, CA: Rancho Cordova Bars Renting Substandard Dwellings
Heavy RestrictionsRancho Cordova's housing code makes it a misdemeanor to rent, lease, or offer for rent any dwelling that has become substandard, and every dwelling must be maintained to housing code…
Sacramento County, CA: Sacramento County Dangerous Dwelling Vacation
Heavy RestrictionsWhen county inspectors find a rental dangerously substandard, the Housing Code lets the Director order it vacated and boarded up, with re-entry a crime until repairs are permitted and…
Moreno Valley, CA: Moreno Valley Rental Habitability Standards
Few RestrictionsMoreno Valley rentals must meet California Civil Code 1941.1 habitability standards, including working plumbing, heating, electrical, weatherproofing, and smoke and CO alarms.
Riverside, CA: Rental Habitability Standards in Riverside
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Section 1941.1 establishes the implied warranty of habitability that applies to every Riverside rental. Units must have working plumbing, heat, hot/cold running…
Sonora, CA: Sonora Rental Habitability Standards
Few RestrictionsRental properties in Sonora must meet California habitability standards under Civil Code section 1941.1. Landlords must maintain weatherproofing, plumbing, heating, electrical…
Birmingham, AL: Birmingham Rental Habitability Standards
Some RestrictionsBirmingham's adopted 2015 International Property Maintenance Code sets minimum habitability standards for rented housing: every habitable room needs a window with glazing equal to at…
Repairs & Habitability Rules by State
Statewide law governs this topic in many states. Each entry links to that state's full page.
Alabama
Some RestrictionsAla. Code § 35-9A-204 requires Alabama landlords to keep rentals habitable, comply with health-and-safety codes, and maintain essential systems. If a landlord fails to fix a material…
Alaska
Some RestrictionsAlaska Stat. § 34.03.100 requires landlords to keep rental premises fit and habitable: structural repairs, clean common areas, working plumbing, heat, hot water, and essential…
Arizona
Some RestrictionsA.R.S. § 33-1324 requires Arizona landlords to keep rentals fit and habitable: meeting building codes, maintaining electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling systems, and supplying…
Arkansas
Few RestrictionsArkansas was long the only state with no implied warranty of habitability. A 2021 law (Ark. Code 18-17-502) now imposes minimum standards for leases entered or renewed after Nov. 1…
California
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia landlords must keep rentals fit to live in. Civil Code §§ 1941 and 1941.1, reinforced by Green v. Superior Court, imply a warranty of habitability covering plumbing, heat…
Colorado
Heavy RestrictionsColorado law implies a warranty of habitability in every residential lease. A landlord must respond within 24 hours to conditions that materially interfere with life, health, or…
Connecticut
Heavy RestrictionsConn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 47a-7 requires landlords to keep rental units fit and habitable, comply with housing codes, maintain common areas and major systems, and supply running water…
Delaware
Heavy RestrictionsDel. Code tit. 25 § 5305 requires landlords to comply with applicable building and housing codes, provide a unit that does not endanger tenants' health or safety, and keep electrical…
District of Columbia
Heavy RestrictionsEvery D.C. lease carries an implied warranty of habitability under 14 DCMR § 301.1 that the owner will maintain the premises in compliance with the Housing Code. The duty cannot be…
Florida
Some RestrictionsFla. Stat. § 83.51 requires landlords to comply with applicable building, housing, and health codes or keep the structure, plumbing, and (for most multi-unit buildings) heat, running…
Georgia
Some RestrictionsSince July 1, 2024, the Safe at Home Act (HB 404) added an express duty to O.C.G.A. § 44-7-13 that landlords keep rental premises fit for human habitation. Georgia still has no…
Hawaii
Some RestrictionsHRS § 521-42 imposes an implied warranty of habitability. A Hawaii landlord must comply with applicable building and housing laws materially affecting health and safety, make repairs…
Idaho
Some RestrictionsIdaho Code 6-320 makes a landlord liable for failing to keep a rental in habitable condition, listing duties such as waterproofing, working plumbing, heating, electrical and sanitary…
Illinois
Some RestrictionsIllinois recognizes an implied warranty of habitability in every residential lease through case law, not a single statute. The Illinois Supreme Court established it in Jack Spring…
Indiana
Some RestrictionsIC 32-31-8-5 requires an Indiana landlord to deliver the rental 'in a safe, clean, and habitable condition,' comply with health and housing codes, keep common areas proper, and…
Iowa
Heavy RestrictionsIowa Code Sec. 562A.15 requires landlords to keep rental units fit and habitable, comply with codes affecting health and safety, maintain common areas and major systems, and supply…
Kansas
Some RestrictionsK.S.A. 58-2553 requires Kansas landlords to meet building and housing codes, maintain common areas and major systems in safe working order, supply running and hot water and reasonable…
Kentucky
Some RestrictionsIn URLTA-adopting Kentucky jurisdictions, KRS 383.595 requires landlords to meet building and housing codes, keep premises fit and habitable, maintain common areas and major systems…
Louisiana
Some RestrictionsLouisiana imposes habitability through the Civil Code lease warranty. La. Civ. Code art. 2682 binds the lessor to deliver and maintain the premises 'in a condition suitable' for its…
Maine
Heavy RestrictionsEvery residential lease in Maine carries an implied warranty that the unit is fit for human habitation. If a defect endangers health or safety and the landlord unreasonably fails to…
Maryland
Heavy RestrictionsMaryland's rent escrow statute lets tenants withhold rent into court when serious defects threaten life, health, or safety. Under Real Property § 8-211, after written or other proper…
Massachusetts
Heavy RestrictionsMassachusetts recognizes an implied warranty of habitability and gives tenants strong remedies. Under M.G.L. c. 111 § 127L, after certified code violations and proper notice, a tenant…
Michigan
Heavy RestrictionsEvery residential lease in Michigan includes a statutory covenant by the landlord that the premises and common areas are fit for their intended use and kept in reasonable repair, in…
Minnesota
Heavy RestrictionsMinn. Stat. Sec. 504B.161 imposes non-waivable covenants that the premises are fit for the intended use, kept in reasonable repair, and in compliance with health and safety laws, plus…
Mississippi
Some RestrictionsMiss. Code section 89-8-23 requires a landlord to comply with building and housing codes 'materially affecting health and safety' and to maintain the unit, its plumbing, and its…
Missouri
Some RestrictionsMissouri recognizes an implied warranty of habitability through case law (Detling v. Edelbrock, 1984), requiring residential premises to be fit and safe to live in. RSMo 441.234…
Montana
Heavy RestrictionsMont. Code Ann. § 70-24-303 requires Montana landlords to keep rentals fit and habitable: meeting building codes, maintaining utilities, supplying running water, reasonable hot water…
Nebraska
Some RestrictionsNeb. Rev. Stat. 76-1419 requires landlords to keep rentals fit and habitable: comply with housing codes, make repairs, maintain common areas and essential systems, and supply running…
Nevada
Some RestrictionsNRS 118A.290 requires Nevada landlords to keep rentals habitable: sound structure, weatherproofing, working plumbing, heating, electrical, and a safe water supply. NRS 118A.360 lets…
New Hampshire
Heavy RestrictionsNew Hampshire recognizes an implied warranty of habitability in every residential lease under Kline v. Burns, 111 N.H. 87 (1971). RSA chapter 48-A backs this with housing standards and…
New Mexico
Some RestrictionsNMSA 47-8-20 requires New Mexico owners to keep rentals safe and habitable: comply with housing codes, make repairs, maintain electrical, plumbing, heating, and sanitary systems, and…
New York
Heavy RestrictionsReal Property Law Section 235-b imposes an implied warranty of habitability in every residential lease. Premises must be fit for human habitation and free of conditions dangerous to…
North Carolina
Heavy RestrictionsUnder N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-42, landlords must keep rental premises fit and habitable, comply with building codes, maintain plumbing, electrical, heating and other facilities, and…
North Dakota
Some RestrictionsN.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-13.1 requires North Dakota landlords to keep rentals fit and habitable: meeting building and housing codes, making repairs, and maintaining plumbing, heating…
Ohio
Heavy RestrictionsOhio Revised Code 5321.04 requires landlords to meet building and housing codes, keep premises fit and habitable, maintain electrical, plumbing, heating and other systems, and supply…
Oklahoma
Some RestrictionsOkla. Stat. tit. 41 § 118 requires landlords to keep the dwelling fit and habitable: making needed repairs, maintaining electrical, plumbing, and heating systems, and supplying running…
Oregon
Heavy RestrictionsORS 90.320 requires Oregon landlords to maintain a habitable dwelling with weatherproofing, working plumbing, hot and cold water, heat, electrical systems, locks, and smoke and carbon…
Rhode Island
Heavy RestrictionsR.I. Gen. Laws Sec. 34-18-22 requires landlords to keep rentals fit and habitable, meet building and housing codes, maintain common areas and major systems, and supply running water…
South Carolina
Heavy RestrictionsUnder S.C. Code § 27-40-440, landlords must comply with building and housing codes, keep the premises fit and habitable, and maintain electrical, plumbing, heating, and other systems…
South Dakota
Some RestrictionsSDCL 43-32-8 requires every residential landlord to keep the premises and common areas in reasonable repair and fit for human habitation, including working electrical, plumbing, and…
Tennessee
Some RestrictionsIn URLTA counties, Tenn. Code 66-28-304 requires landlords to comply with building and housing codes, make repairs to keep the unit fit and habitable, keep common areas clean and safe…
Texas
Some RestrictionsUnder Tex. Prop. Code § 92.052 a landlord must make a diligent effort to repair conditions that materially affect an ordinary tenant's health or safety after proper notice. Section…
Utah
Some RestrictionsThe Utah Fit Premises Act requires owners to keep rentals fit for human habitation, with working electrical, heating, plumbing, and hot and cold water (Utah Code 57-22-3, 57-22-4)…
Vermont
Heavy RestrictionsVermont law implies a warranty of habitability in every residential lease. Under 9 V.S.A. § 4457 the landlord must deliver and maintain premises that are safe, clean, and fit for human…
Virginia
Heavy RestrictionsVa. Code § 55.1-1220 requires landlords to keep rentals fit and habitable: comply with building codes, make needed repairs, maintain electrical, plumbing, heating and HVAC systems…
Washington
Heavy RestrictionsRCW 59.18.060 requires Washington landlords to keep rentals 'fit for human habitation': structurally sound, weathertight, with working plumbing, heat, hot water, electrical systems…
West Virginia
Some RestrictionsWest Virginia statutorily requires landlords to deliver and maintain rental dwellings in a fit and habitable condition under W. Va. Code § 37-6-30, and Teller v. McCoy recognizes a…
Wisconsin
Heavy RestrictionsWis. Stat. Sec. 704.07 makes the landlord keep structural elements, common areas, and equipment supplying heat, water, and other services in a reasonable state of repair. If the…
Wyoming
Some RestrictionsWyo. Stat. §§ 1-21-1202 and 1-21-1203 require a Wyoming landlord to keep each rental unit safe, sanitary, and fit for human habitation, with operational electrical, heating, and…
Cities & Counties with Repairs & Habitability Rules
443 locations
Alabama
Arizona
Other Rental Property Rules Topics
Rent Control
Local limits on how much landlords can raise rent each year, including which properties are covered and exemptions for newer buildings.
Just Cause Eviction
Protections requiring landlords to have a valid reason to evict tenants, such as nonpayment of rent, lease violations, or owner move-in.
Rental Registration
Requirements for landlords to register rental properties with the city, including inspection programs, fees, and occupancy standards.
Relocation Assistance
Required tenant relocation payments for no-fault evictions and Ellis Act withdrawals, typical amounts, qualifying triggers, and how cities enforce payment.
Security Deposit Rules
Caps on how much landlords may collect as security deposits, return deadlines, itemized-deduction requirements, and tenant remedies for wrongfully withheld deposits.
Cash-for-Keys Agreements
Rules around buyout agreements where landlords pay tenants to vacate, including required disclosures, cooling-off periods, and city filing requirements.
No-Fault Evictions
Allowable no-fault eviction grounds (owner move-in, Ellis Act, substantial remodel) and the relocation/notice obligations that come with each.
Pass-Through Charges
Rules limiting landlord ability to pass utility, capital improvement, or seismic-retrofit costs through to rent-controlled tenants, and the petition process.
Tenant Anti-Harassment
Cities like LA prohibit specific landlord conduct (lockouts, utility shutoffs, threats), penalties, private right of action, and how to document violations.
Source-of-Income Discrimination
Rules barring landlords from refusing to rent to applicants because of Section 8 vouchers, SSI, or other lawful income, protected categories and remedies.
Section 8 Voucher Acceptance
Landlord obligations when accepting Housing Choice Vouchers, including HACLA inspection, lease addenda, and rent reasonableness.
Right of Return
Tenant right to re-occupy a unit after no-fault eviction (substantial remodel, owner move-in failure) at original rent, qualifying triggers and notice rules.
AB-1482 Notice Disclosure
California statewide rent-cap and just-cause notices required on month-to-month leases, separate from local RSO disclosures, and how cities enforce them.
Eviction Moratorium History
Status of pandemic-era eviction protections, what sunset, what carries forward as permanent rules, and tenant defenses still available for COVID-rent-debt.
Council District Preference
Local preference policies giving residents of a Council District priority for affordable housing units developed in their district, eligibility and waitlist mechanics.
Just Cause Appeal Process
How tenants and landlords appeal Just Cause eviction determinations, administrative hearing procedures, evidence rules, and judicial review.
Mold Disclosure
Landlord obligations to disclose known mold conditions before lease signing, plus tenant remedies when mold is discovered or made worse during a tenancy.
Rent Increase Notice
How much advance written notice a landlord must give before raising the rent on a month-to-month or expiring lease, and how state notice rules differ from any local rent-control caps.
Landlord Entry & Notice
How much advance notice a landlord must give before entering an occupied unit, the permitted reasons (repairs, showings, inspections), allowed hours, and the emergency exceptions under…
Late Fees & Grace Periods
Whether late rent fees are capped, any required grace period before a fee can be charged, and limits on bounced-check (NSF) and other add-on charges under state law.
Lease Termination & Notice to Vacate
Notice required to end a month-to-month tenancy, the rules and penalties for breaking a fixed-term lease early, and early-termination protections for active-duty military…
Eviction Notice & Process
The notice a landlord must give before filing to evict, pay-or-quit and cure-or-quit periods, no-cause termination notice, how long the court eviction process takes in this state, and…
Squatter's Rights & Adverse Possession
When an occupant without a lease gains legal protections, the line between a trespasser and a squatter, how many years of continuous possession adverse possession requires in this…