{"id":369280,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:19","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/the-legal-standard-for-repairs-warranty-of-habitability.html"},"modified":"2024-02-22T16:07:03","modified_gmt":"2024-02-22T21:07:03","slug":"the-legal-standard-for-repairs-warranty-of-habitability","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/the-legal-standard-for-repairs-warranty-of-habitability.html","title":{"rendered":"How To Meet the Warranty of Habitability as a Landlord"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How To Meet the Warranty of Habitability as a Landlord<\/h1>\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Robert Rafii, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

The implied warranty of habitability<\/a> is a public policy law. It’s a rule across the country requiring landlords to provide a livable property to their tenants. Landlords should try to make repairs<\/a> in a timely manner. But catering to excessive or unwarranted tenant demands can distract from more important duties. When deciding what repairs to make first, landlords should prioritize repairs affecting the habitability of the rental unit.<\/p>\r\n

Repairs That Affect the Warranty of Habitability<\/h2>\r\n

Every time a landlord rents out a rental unit, they’re implicitly promising that it is fit for human habitation. That is, they have made a warranty of habitability<\/a>. If you’re not prioritizing certain repairs, your actions or omissions as a landlord may constitute a breach of the warranty of habitability in a rental property.<\/p>\r\n

Exactly what is included in the warranty of habitability can vary from state to state. For example, some states make it the landlord’s duty to ensure the rental units are safe. Those landlords must repair exterior locks, lights, and other basic safety devices as soon as possible.<\/p>\r\n

Other examples of repairs affecting the warranty of habitability include:<\/p>\r\n