6 Rental Laws Every Tenant Should Know

Having a good experience as a tenant starts with knowing what your rights are. While rental laws do vary by state, there are some general rules and regulations that outline what you have the right to expect as a renter—and what you might have recourse to fight back against.

More than 1 in 3 (36%) of all Americans live in a rental property, a percentage that represents about 44 million households—and 109 million individuals—throughout the country. And as that number continues to increase, it becomes increasingly important for everyone to know exactly what their rights are.

Rental laws run the gamut between obvious things that you’re probably already aware of (for example: your landlord can’t just walk into your unit whenever they please) and some that you might find surprising. They cover both the tenant’s and the landlord’s rights and responsibilities, and what expectations you can have when you live in a rental unit.

So what are they? Here are six rental laws to know about if you’re currently renting or are planning to look for an apartment soon.

The Right to Fair Housing

The Right to Your Security Deposit

The Right to a Safe and Habitable Home

The Right to Privacy

The Right to a Proper Eviction Procedure

The Right to Notice Before Raising the Rent

Being a Good Tenant

A good tenant-landlord relationship goes both ways. In addition to being apprised of the rental laws stated above, it’s also a good idea to follow the basics of what it means to be a good tenant.

Some places to start:

    • Be honest in your lease application
    • Read your lease and be aware of what you’re agreeing to
    • Pay your rent in full and on time
    • Keep your unit clean
    • Submit maintenance/repair requests right away instead of letting problems linger
    • Keep the lines of communication open

    A little bit can go a long way when it comes to ensuring a positive rental experience. If you put in the effort to be a good tenant and your landlord fulfills their end of the bargain too, your rental experience should be a good one.