How can you get your landlord in trouble?
Learning how to get your landlord in trouble might seem complicated, but it’s usually an easy process. Before you figure out how to report your landlord for negligence, you should evaluate their wrongdoing. If your complaint is minor, consider terminating your lease and leaving. However, suppose your landlord is breaking federal law. If they are, you should contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or sue them in small claims court.
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Michelle Robbins
Licensed Insurance Agent
Michelle Robbins has been a licensed insurance agent for over 13 years. Her career began in the real estate industry, supporting local realtors with Title Insurance. After several years, Michelle shifted to real estate home warranty insurance, where she managed a territory of over 100 miles of real estate professionals. Later, Agent Robbins obtained more licensing and experience serving families a...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance providers please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Landlords have to follow federal and state laws, which requires that they provide a livable space
- For minor complaints, it might be easier on renters to simply terminate their lease and find a new home
- If your landlord is breaking the Fair Housing Act, you can report them to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- If your warranty of habitability or right to quiet enjoyment is being infringed, you can sue your landlord in small claims court
Millions of Americans rent their homes. From apartment complexes to home rental companies and even private landlords, most people will rent their home from someone at some point in their lives.
While everyone hopes for an easy time with their living arrangement, that’s not always the case. If you find yourself wondering how to report your landlord for negligence, criminal behaviors, or any other abuses, it’s easy to feel frustrated and isolated.
However, it’s not impossible to report your landlord and see actions that result in real changes for you and your family. Your landlord might not be forthcoming about who to speak to, but reporting issues is not as hard as you might think.
If you’re wondering how to get your landlord in trouble, you might want to consider renters insurance to protect your belongings. If you need renters insurance and want to see what quotes might look like for you, enter your ZIP code into our free tool.
Should you report your landlord?
The first question to ask is if reporting your landlord is worth the trouble. Most rental contracts in America have a start and end date, and they don’t automatically renew. If your landlord is the equivalent of a bad customer service experience, you can always leave when your contract is up.
However, leaving at the end of your contract might not be feasible for you. Most rental agreements require a deposit (first, and sometimes first and last month’s rent), as well as a security deposit. If you have animals, they usually take a pet deposit.
On top of the costs for a new apartment, you’ll also need to pack up and move. Hiring movers can cost a few hundred dollars, and truck rentals can be pricey, too.
At the very least, you’ll spend your free time packing and moving, potentially missing out on income if you take time off.
Not every family can afford to move into a new apartment at the end of a lease. If moving is financially impossible, it might be worth it to put up with your landlord’s bad behavior.
Of course, ignoring the landlord only applies to petty problems, like obnoxious behavior, minor repairs going undone, or similar events. If you follow all the rules of your contract and the landlord threatens you or breaks the law, you shouldn’t ignore the problem.
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Where can I file a complaint against my landlord?
If your landlord has crossed the line one too many times and you’ve had enough, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is your best protection.
Landlords have to follow federal and state laws regarding renting a property. They might want you to think you are powerless, but you might be surprised by the rights you have.
If you need to report your landlord, you should go to your state’s HUD page and seek assistance. You might find help for free from a non-profit organization. Otherwise, you’ll probably need legal assistance.
What federal laws do landlords have to follow?
Three primary federal laws keep renters safe:
- The Fair Housing Act
- The warranty of habitability
- The right to quiet enjoyment
These federal laws have to be obeyed by landlords, regardless of whether they are specified in your rental contract. You have a clear-cut reason to report your landlord if they break any of these rules.
The Fair Housing Act protects homebuyers and renters from discrimination in seven classes: race, national origin, gender, familial status, color, religion, and disability.
If a landlord refuses to rent to you, holds you to different standards, or refuses you specific services in a discriminatory fashion, the Fair Housing Act will protect you.
The warranty of habitability states that landlords can only rent out livable spaces. The details depend on your state, but it generally includes smoke detectors, hot water, electricity, plumbing, drinking water, heat, and no infestations. The building also needs to meet local building codes.
You need to report problems first to give your landlord a chance to fix them. Again, it depends on the state, but landlords usually have a time limit of 30 days to fix serious problems.
Finally, the right to quiet enjoyment means your landlord has to give you space – they can’t use the property for their own needs while you are renting there.
What are the most common reasons people report landlords?
While there are numerous reasons to report a landlord, these are the most common.
- Pest infestation. As part of the warranty of habitability, severe infestations make a property unlivable. Your landlord must secure an exterminator to handle the problem. If they don’t, you should, then sue later.
- Security deposit. Security deposit laws vary by state, but your landlord usually has a 30-day window to return yours. If they don’t, they need to provide a reason with receipts why they’re keeping it. If they don’t, you should contact legal help.
- Entering your home. As part of the right to quiet enjoyment, most rental properties specify that your landlord needs advanced notice to enter your home. If your landlord barges in unannounced, it could be considered harassment.
- Neglecting repairs. Your landlord has a specific timeframe within which to repair problems that make your home unsafe or unlivable.
If your landlord is guilty of any of these, you definitely have cause to complain. Your next step is to complain to the right people.
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Who do I contact about landlord issues?
The easiest transgression to report is breaking the Fair Housing Act: simply visit your state’s HUD site. Other landlord issues are a little more complicated. Often, the best solution is to terminate the lease and leave.
However, you have other options. You can sue your landlord for repeated unannounced entry in small claims court.
You can also sue if your landlord refuses to make repairs. Since the legal system can take a long time to resolve, you can pay for the repairs yourself, then deduct them from your rent by providing a receipt to your landlord.
If you choose to deduct from your rent, make sure to keep a copy of all paperwork for yourself. Suing your landlord will likely bring out their petty side, and having copies of everything will help your case.
Before your sue your landlord, evaluate if the effort is worth it to you. You’ll need to commit at least your time, if not your money. And there’s always the chance you’ll lose, which means you’ll have to pay court fees.
Sometimes, the power to sue is enough. Tell your landlord you’re considering legal action since they can’t live up to their legal responsibilities. That might be enough to jumpstart better behavior.
How do you sue your landlord?
You might think the process is complicated, but it’s relatively straightforward.
First, you need to check in with your state’s laws about small claims court. You’ll need information on how much you can sue for (there are limits) and the necessary forms to fill out.
Next, you file your complaint with the clerk’s office and pay all related fees (usually a flat filing fee). They send the complaint to your landlord, and you wait for them to respond.
If no answer comes, you go to court and present your case to a judge without them.
If they answer, your landlord will likely go to court and file a counterclaim. This is where keeping copies of everything you do comes in handy: you present your evidence to the judge. The judge will make a decision, and the process is complete.
Renters Insurance to Protect Your Home
Renters insurance is a requirement in many states, but you should have it even if it isn’t. It’s generally cheap, and it protects all the belongings within your rented home.
Usually, people get renters insurance to protect against fires and theft. However, negligent landlords can be just as harmful to your belongings as a fire. Renters insurance can help cover the costs of replacing items damaged from infestations and neglected repairs. As a bonus, renters insurance typically doesn’t cost very much.
While you’re working on how to get your landlord in trouble, you should take a few minutes to shop around for renters insurance. Enter your ZIP code into our free tool if you want to see what quotes might look like for you.
Case Studies: How can you get your landlord in trouble?
Case Study 1: Failure to Maintain Habitable Conditions
In this case, Sarah rented an apartment with severe mold growth due to a persistent leak issue. Despite notifying her landlord multiple times, the necessary repairs were never made. Faced with deteriorating living conditions, Sarah contacted her local housing authority and filed a complaint, providing evidence of the mold and the landlord’s negligence.
The housing authority conducted an inspection, determined the landlord’s violation of habitability standards, and issued citations and fines. Additionally, Sarah was able to break her lease without penalty due to the uninhabitable conditions.
Case Study 2: Illegal Rent Increases
John discovered that his landlord had been increasing the rent beyond the limits set by local rent control ordinances. He gathered evidence of the excessive rent increases and researched the applicable rent control regulations in his area. John filed a complaint with the local rent control board, providing the necessary documentation to support his claim.
The rent control board investigated the matter, determined the landlord’s violation, and ordered a reimbursement of the excess rent paid by John. The landlord was also required to comply with the rent control regulations moving forward.
Case Study 3: Failure to Return Security Deposit
Mike moved out of his rental property at the end of his lease, leaving it in good condition. However, his landlord failed to return his security deposit within the legally mandated timeframe and did not provide an itemized list of deductions.
Mike sent a certified letter to his landlord, requesting the return of his security deposit and reminding the landlord of the legal requirements. When the landlord still did not comply, Mike filed a small claims court lawsuit. The court ruled in Mike’s favor, ordering the landlord to return the full security deposit along with additional penalties for non-compliance.
Case Study 4: Discriminatory Practices
Emily experienced discriminatory behavior from her landlord when she was denied a rental unit based on her race. Emily contacted a local fair housing agency to report the discriminatory practices.
The fair housing agency initiated an investigation, interviewing Emily, gathering evidence, and reaching out to the landlord. Subsequently, the landlord was found in violation of fair housing laws, and Emily was able to pursue legal action for damages and seek remedies through the court system.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How can you get your landlord in trouble?
If your landlord is breaking federal law, you can contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or sue them in small claims court.
Should you report your landlord?
Reporting your landlord depends on the severity of the issue and your ability to find alternative housing. If the problem is minor, it may be easier to terminate the lease and find a new place to live.
Where can I file a complaint against my landlord?
You can file a complaint against your landlord with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or seek assistance from a non-profit organization in your state.
What federal laws do landlords have to follow?
Landlords are required to follow federal laws such as the Fair Housing Act, the warranty of habitability, and the right to quiet enjoyment.
What are the most common reasons people report landlords?
The most common reasons for reporting landlords include discrimination, failure to maintain habitable conditions, and violation of the right to quiet enjoyment.
Who do I contact about landlord issues?
For issues related to the Fair Housing Act, you can visit your state’s HUD website. Other landlord issues may require legal action, such as terminating the lease, suing in small claims court, or deducting repair costs from the rent.
Compare Insurance Providers Rates to Save Up to 75%
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Michelle Robbins
Licensed Insurance Agent
Michelle Robbins has been a licensed insurance agent for over 13 years. Her career began in the real estate industry, supporting local realtors with Title Insurance. After several years, Michelle shifted to real estate home warranty insurance, where she managed a territory of over 100 miles of real estate professionals. Later, Agent Robbins obtained more licensing and experience serving families a...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.