In return for the tenant's rental payment, a landlord agrees to provide a habitable home or apartment (known as implied warranty of habitability).
The premises must be maintained in a habitable condition by the landlord. The premises should be:
- the plumbing and heating systems must be in working order
- kitchen appliances operable,
- roof free of leaks,
- doors and windors that are not broken and have working locks,
- electrical wiring in safe condition,
- free of bug and rodents,
- and other unsafe hazards such as peeling or lead-based paints.
- The tenant is responsible for notifying the landlord or property manager of any problems and giving the landlord a reasonable amount of time in which to make the repairs. If the rental unit is not maintained in a safe and decent manner, the tenant may a right to (1) suspend rent payments until the repairs are made, (2) vacate the rental unit (without penalty), (3) make the repairs and deduct the amount of the repairs from the rent, and (4) collect damages in court becasue of the landlord's breach of contract.
