Landlords must comply with state and local housing and safety codes
All states and municipalities have housing codes mandating every landlord provide essential services to their tenants. This includes hot and cold running water, a roof that doesn’t leak, and safe wiring.
Under the law, the landlord must provide the tenant with a legally habitable premise. In addition, many municipalities have health and safety codes that require landlords to keep their rental property free of rats, mice, and other vermin. There are fire codes that landlords must be in compliance with or risk fines and other penalties.
The landlord can also face personal liability for failing to substantially perform under the terms and conditions of the landlord-tenant lease agreement. Specifically, the landlords must repair or maintain their rental property up to code.
If the landlord fails to make the tenant’s requested repairs, the landlord can be sued for breach of contract -especially if the requested repair were required under the housing, health, or safety codes.
