## What are my rights as a tenant?
Also asked: tenant rights, renters rights, my rights as a renter, rights renting a home
Tenancy is governed by **two different bodies of law**, and it matters which one your problem falls under.

**Federal law covers discrimination only.** A landlord may not treat you differently because of race, colour, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability, and must consider reasonable accommodation for a disability.

**Everything else is state and local law**: eviction procedure, rent increases, security deposits, repairs and habitability, notice periods, and lease terms. This tool holds federal law, so for those it can tell you the shape of the rule but not the rule where you live.

One thing holds everywhere: a landlord must use the **courts** to evict. Lock changes, removing belongings, and utility shut-offs are illegal in every state.

## Can a landlord refuse to rent to me because of my race or religion?
Also asked: housing discrimination, refused an apartment, landlord discriminated, denied housing, fair housing
No. The Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful to refuse to rent or sell, or to set different terms, because of **race, colour, national origin, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), familial status, or disability**.

It also covers advertising, lying about whether a unit is available, and steering people toward or away from neighbourhoods.

A few narrow exemptions exist, mainly **owner-occupied buildings with four units or fewer**, single-family homes rented out by the owner without an agent, and housing run by religious organisations or private clubs.

Complaints go to **HUD within one year**, or to federal court within two years.

## Can a landlord refuse to rent to me because I have children?
Also asked: familial status, no kids allowed, adults only building, pregnant, family with children
Generally no. **Familial status** is protected: households with children under 18, pregnant people, and anyone securing custody of a child.

"Adults only" rules are unlawful except in **qualified senior housing**, broadly where every unit is for people 62 or older, or at least 80 percent have a resident 55 or older.

Occupancy limits that are genuinely about space are allowed. Limits set low to keep families out are not.

## Does my landlord have to accommodate a disability?
Also asked: service animal, emotional support animal, wheelchair ramp, reasonable accommodation, accessible parking, no pets policy
Yes, in two distinct ways.

A **reasonable accommodation** is a change to a rule, such as waiving a no-pets policy for a service or assistance animal, or assigning an accessible parking space. The landlord bears the cost, which is usually nothing.

A **reasonable modification** is a physical change, such as a ramp or grab rails. You may make it, and **you normally pay** for it.

Either can be refused only if it is unreasonable or would fundamentally alter the landlord's operation. A blanket "no exceptions" answer is not lawful.

## Can my landlord harass me or threaten eviction for complaining?
Also asked: landlord retaliation, retaliatory eviction, landlord threats, reported my landlord
Where the harassment or retaliation is **because of a protected characteristic, or because you asserted fair housing rights**, it is unlawful under federal law and HUD takes the complaint.

Retaliation for other complaints, such as reporting a broken boiler to the council, is covered by **state law**, and most states prohibit it. That part is outside what this tool holds.

## How do I fight an eviction?
Also asked: eviction notice, being evicted, evicted, eviction court, unlawful detainer, kicked out
**There is no federal eviction law.** Eviction procedure, the notice you are owed, and the defences available are set by **your state and city**, and they vary a great deal. This tool holds federal law, so it cannot tell you the rule where you live.

What is true everywhere: a landlord must go through a **court process**. Changing the locks, removing your belongings, or cutting off utilities to force you out is illegal in every state.

Two things carry federal weight. If the eviction is **because of a protected characteristic** it violates the Fair Housing Act. And if you are sued, the judgment can reach your **credit report**.

For the rule in your state, start with your local legal aid office or the court's self-help centre.

## Can my landlord raise the rent?
Also asked: rent increase, raising my rent, rent control, rent hike, how much notice for rent increase
**Federal law does not limit rent.** Whether your landlord can raise it, by how much, and how much notice you get are matters of **state and local law** plus your lease. This tool holds federal law and cannot answer for your area.

The general shape: during a fixed-term lease the rent is normally locked unless the lease says otherwise; month to month, a landlord can usually raise it with notice. A handful of cities cap increases.

One federal limit does apply. A rent increase aimed at you **because of a protected characteristic** is unlawful discrimination.

## Does my landlord have to make repairs?
Also asked: broken heating, mould, habitability, landlord will not fix, unsafe apartment, no hot water
**This is state law, not federal.** Nearly every state implies a **warranty of habitability**, so a rented home must be fit to live in: working heat, water, and no serious hazards. The detail, and what you may do about it, differ by state.

Self-help remedies such as withholding rent or paying for repairs yourself are allowed in some states and are grounds for eviction in others. Check your state before doing either.

Federal law reaches this only where repairs are handled differently **because of a protected characteristic**, or where the housing is federally subsidised and inspection standards apply.

## What can I do about a security deposit my landlord kept?
Also asked: deposit not returned, security deposit, landlord kept my deposit, deposit deductions
**Security deposits are governed by state law.** Most states set a deadline to return the deposit after you leave, commonly 14 to 30 days, and require an itemised list of any deductions. Many allow you to recover multiple times the deposit if the landlord ignores the rule.

This tool holds federal law, so it cannot give you your state's deadline. Small claims court is the usual route, and you do not normally need a lawyer.