Landlord-Tenant Law
The body of law governing the rental of residential and commercial property — covering leases, security deposits, habitability, eviction procedures, and tenant rights.
Landlord-tenant law is primarily state and local law, so rights vary significantly by jurisdiction. Core tenant protections in most states include: the implied warranty of habitability (landlords must maintain units in livable condition — with heat, water, working plumbing, structural soundness, and freedom from pest infestation); security deposit limits (typically 1–3 months' rent) and return requirements (itemized statement within 14–30 days of move-out, strict deadlines with penalties for violations); proper eviction procedures (landlord must follow formal court process — self-help eviction by changing locks or removing belongings is illegal and creates landlord liability); and anti-retaliation protections (landlord cannot evict or raise rent in response to a tenant's complaint about habitability).
Rent control and just-cause eviction protections exist in many California cities, New York City, and other jurisdictions — landlords in covered buildings must have a qualifying reason to not renew a lease. These protections vary dramatically even within the same state.
Security deposit disputes are the most common landlord-tenant legal matter and are frequently handled in small claims court without attorneys. Document everything: photo/video the unit at move-in and move-out, keep all written communications, and send move-out notices by certified mail.
Real-World Example
The tenant documented mold in the bathroom with photos and sent a certified letter to the landlord; when the landlord failed to remediate within the statutory period, the tenant withheld rent using the repair-and-deduct remedy permitted by her state's landlord-tenant code.