Each state has basic rights for tenants, such as the right to receive notice before landlord entry and the right to rent disclosure. To protect yourself as a tenant, it’s imperative to know the rights you are entitled to in your state. In addition to rights at the state level, there are freedoms protected by the federal government upheld in the Fair Housing Act. This act prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability.

Tenant rights can vary a great deal from one state to another – some states favor tenants, and some states favor landlords. No matter which state you live in, you should have the right to a safe and habitable home. Moreover, no landlord can legally retaliate against you. Why is it so important to know your rights? Well, you could keep a questionable landlord from illegally keeping a deposit when he or she doesn’t have valid grounds to keep it. Not only that, but tenant rights keep you from facing an unfair eviction or incurring charges that go against the rules in your state. Before you sign a lease, make sure the language does not violate tenant rights.

Alabama

https://law.justia.com/codes/alabama/2009/Title35/Chapter9A/Chapter9A.html

https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/IAQ/assets/adecentplacetolivebrochure.pdf

Alaska

http://law.alaska.gov/department/civil/consumer/landlord-tenant.html

https://www.hud.gov/states/alaska/renting/tenantrights

Arizona

https://housing.az.gov/general-public/landlord-and-tenant-act

https://www.azag.gov/outreach/publications/tenants-rights-and-responsibilities-handbook-community-legal-services

Arkansas

https://arkansasag.gov/consumer-protection/home/column-one/what-you-should-know-about-landlord-and-tenant-rights/

https://statelaws.findlaw.com/arkansas-law/arkansas-tenant-rights-laws.html

California

https://www.hud.gov/states/california/renting/tenantrights

https://www.hcd.ca.gov/manufactured-mobile-home/mobile-home-ombudsman/docs/tenant-landlord.pdf

Colorado

https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/Attachment%2010-Landord%20and%20Tenant%20Rights.pdf

https://www.hud.gov/states/colorado/renting/tenantrights

Connecticut

https://www.jud.ct.gov/lawlib/law/landlord.htm

https://ctlawhelp.org/en/tenants-renters-rights-laws

Delaware

https://delcode.delaware.gov/title25/c053/index.shtml

http://www.declasi.org/poverty-law-program/tenants-rights/

Florida

https://www.floridabar.org/public/consumer/tip014

https://www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Landlord-Tenant-Law-in-Florida

Georgia

https://www.dca.ga.gov/safe-affordable-housing/rental-housing-assistance/housing-choice-voucher-program-formerly-known-2

https://www.hud.gov/states/georgia/renting/tenantrights

Hawaii

https://cca.hawaii.gov/hfic/files/2013/03/landlord-tenant-handbook.pdf

https://www.hud.gov/states/hawaii/renting/tenantrights

Idaho

https://www.ag.idaho.gov/content/uploads/2018/04/LandlordTenant.pdf

https://www.hud.gov/states/idaho/renting/tenantrights

Illinois

https://www.isba.org/public/guide/landlordtenant

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2201&ChapterID=62

Indiana

https://www.in.gov/ihcda/4077.htm

https://www.hud.gov/states/indiana/renting/tenantrights

Iowa

https://www.iowalegalaid.org/resource/summary-of-iowa-landlord-and-tenant-law

https://www.hud.gov/states/iowa/renting/tenantrights

Kansas

https://www.kansaslegalservices.org/node/1934/tenant-issues-and-rights-kansas-renters

https://www.hud.gov/states/kansas/renting/tenantrights

Kentucky

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/chapter.aspx?id=39159

https://www.hud.gov/states/kentucky/renting/tenantrights

Louisiana

https://ldh.la.gov/assets/oph/Center-PHCH/Center-CH/infectious-epi/EpiManual/MoldComplaints/AGguideToLandlordTenantLaw.pdf

https://www.la-legal.com/tenant-rights-in-louisiana/

Maine

https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/14/title14ch709sec0.html

https://www.hud.gov/states/maine/renting/tenantrights

Maryland

https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/Pages/CPD/landlords.aspx

https://www.ncsl.org/research/environment-and-natural-resources/maryland-landlord-and-tenant-duties.aspx

Massachusetts

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-landlord-and-tenant

https://www.masslegalhelp.org/legal-tactics

Michigan

https://www.michigan.gov/ag/0,4534,7-359-82915_82919_82241---,00.html

https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Publications/tenantlandlord.pdf

Minnesota

https://www.ag.state.mn.us/consumer/handbooks/lt/default.asp

https://www.mncourts.gov/Help-topics/Landlord-and-Tenant-Issues.aspx

Mississippi

https://www.mslegalservices.org/resource/landlord-tenant-law-in-mississippi

https://statelaws.findlaw.com/mississippi-law/mississippi-tenant-rights-laws.html

Missouri

https://ago.mo.gov/docs/default-source/publications/landlord-tenantlaw.pdf

https://www.hud.gov/states/missouri/renting/tenantrights

Montana

https://dojmt.gov/consumer/tenants-and-landlords/

https://www.hud.gov/states/montana/renting/tenantrights

Nebraska

https://nrec.nebraska.gov/legal/landlordacttoc.html

https://law.unl.edu/node/1161/

Nevada

https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-118a.html

https://www.hud.gov/states/nevada/renting/tenantrights

New Hampshire

https://www.doj.nh.gov/consumer/sourcebook/renting.htm

https://www.hud.gov/states/new_hampshire/renting/tenantrights

New Jersey

https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/codes/offices/landlord_tenant_information.html

https://www.lsnjlaw.org/publications/pages/manuals/tenantsrights.pdf

New Mexico

https://www.nmhealth.org/publication/view/guide/278/

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/overview-landlord-tenant-laws-new-mexico.html

New York

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hpd/services-and-information/tenants-rights-and-responsibilities.page

https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/tenants_rights.pdf

North Carolina

https://www.lawhelpnc.org/issues/housing/renting

https://www.hud.gov/states/north_carolina/renting/tenantrights

North Dakota

https://attorneygeneral.nd.gov/consumer-resources/tenant-rights

https://www.hud.gov/states/north_dakota/renting/tenantrights

Ohio

https://codes.ohio.gov/orc/5321

https://www.ohiobar.org/public-resources/commonly-asked-law-questions-results/law-facts/law-facts-tenant--landlord-rights-and-obligations/

Oklahoma

https://www.okbar.org/freelegalinfo/tenant/

https://oklaw.org/resource/landlord-tenant-rights-and-duties

Oregon

https://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/chapter/90

https://www.oregon.gov/ohcs/housing-assistance/Pages/Landlord-tenant-resources.aspx

Pennsylvania

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/PDF/1951/0/0020..PDF

https://www.hud.gov/states/pennsylvania/renting/tenantrights

Rhode Island

https://www.rils.org/documents/tenant_rights.pdf

https://www.hud.gov/states/rhode_island/renting/tenantrights

South Carolina

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t27c040.php

https://www.scbar.org/public/get-legal-help/common-legal-topics/rights-and-duties-of-landlords/

South Dakota

https://consumer.sd.gov/fastfacts/landlordtenant.aspx

https://www.hud.gov/states/south_dakota/renting/tenantrights

Tennessee

https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/environmental/healthy-homes/hh/renters.html

https://www.hud.gov/states/tennessee/renting/tenantrights

Texas

https://guides.sll.texas.gov/landlord-tenant-law

https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/home-real-estate-and-travel/renters-rights

Utah

https://www.hud.gov/states/utah/renting/tenantrights

https://www.uaahq.org/tenants-resources.html

Vermont

https://accd.vermont.gov/housing/resources-rules/renters-landlords

https://vtlawhelp.org/landlord-tenant-renter

Virginia

https://www.vhda.com/Renters/Pages/RenterRightsResponsibilities.aspx

https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodepopularnames/virginia-residential-landlord-and-tenant-act/

Washington

https://www.atg.wa.gov/tenant-rights

https://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=59.18

West Virginia

http://ago.wv.gov/consumerprotection/Documents/Renters%27%20Rights%20Brochure.pdf

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/WVCODE/Code.cfm?chap=37&art=6

Wisconsin

https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Publications/LandlordTenantGuide.aspx

http://wilawlibrary.gov/topics/landlord.php

Wyoming

https://www.hud.gov/states/wyoming/renting/tenantrights

http://www.uwyo.edu/studentatty/legal-information-by-topic/landlord-tenant-infomation.pdf

Every time you rent an apartment or house the landlord will require you to take out a renters insurance policy. Renters insurance is relatively affordable– most policies cost less than $20 per month, depending on where you live. Nonetheless, the cost of renters insurance can still add up if you’re not careful. There are a few ways you can save money on renters insurance. First, you could bundle it with your car insurance – many large insurance carriers offer this option. If you want to save even more money, you could install an in-home security system or try to clean up your credit score. Alternatively, you could just opt for a high-deductible policy.

Even though it doesn’t seem like a major expense, renters insurance is important. Renters insurance covers the costs arising from the theft of your personal property, water damage, natural disasters, and injuries. Without renters insurance, you could be legally responsible to pay back thousands of dollars in damages. If someone burglarized your home and took all your valuables, you would be out the money. Although it’s not legally required in most places, living in a rented property without renters insurance is like driving a car without insurance – you’re putting yourself and your assets at risk.

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Tenant Rights During a Foreclosure

Tenant rights during a foreclosure can vary depending on local laws, so it's important to consult with a legal professional or research specific regulations in your jurisdiction. However, I can provide you with some general information that might be applicable in many places:

Notice Requirements:
- In many jurisdictions, tenants must be given notice before any action is taken during foreclosure proceedings.
- The notice period can vary, and tenants may have the right to stay in the property for a certain period, even after the foreclosure is completed.
Lease Agreement Validity:
- In some cases, the existing lease agreement may still be valid even after the foreclosure. This means the new owner (who may be the bank or a new buyer) must honor the terms of the existing lease.
Tenant Eviction Protections:
- Some jurisdictions have laws that protect tenants from immediate eviction due to foreclosure. These laws may provide tenants with additional time to find alternative housing.
Tenant's Right to Security Deposit:
- The tenant may have the right to the return of their security deposit, even if the property goes into foreclosure.
Tenant's Right to Sue:
- If the new owner tries to evict the tenant without following proper legal procedures, the tenant may have the right to take legal action against the new owner.
Federal Protections:
- In some cases, tenants may be protected by federal laws, such as the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act (PTFA) in the United States. This act provides certain protections for tenants when a federally-related mortgage is foreclosed.
Local Tenant Protection Programs:
- Some localities may have tenant protection programs that offer assistance or additional rights during foreclosure situations.

It's crucial for tenants to be aware of their rights and to seek legal advice if they are facing eviction due to foreclosure. Local legal aid organizations, tenant advocacy groups, or legal professionals can provide specific information based on the laws in your area. Always consult with a legal professional for advice tailored to your specific situation.