What to Do When Your Landlord Won't Make Repairs
Updated May 4, 2026
Every tenant has a right to a habitable home. When a landlord ignores repair requests, written documentation is the first and most important step in protecting yourself.
1. Put every request in writing
Verbal requests don't exist in court. Send each repair request by text or email so you have a timestamped record.
Open a case in TenantGuard™ for the issue and log every request, photo, and response in chronological order.
2. Send a formal notice to repair
If the landlord ignores informal requests, send a dated written notice that describes the problem, references your state's habitability statute, and gives a reasonable cure period (often 14 days).
Send certified mail with return receipt for serious repairs.
3. Know your remedies
Repair-and-deduct: in many states, you can hire a contractor and deduct the cost from rent (with strict limits and notice rules).
Rent escrow: pay rent into a court-supervised account until repairs are made.
Constructive eviction: in extreme cases (no heat, sewage, etc.) you may be able to break the lease without penalty.
Each of these has strict procedures — never just stop paying rent.
4. Document the impact
Photos and videos of the condition, dated.
Receipts for hotel stays, space heaters, bottled water, or medical visits caused by the issue.
A meeting log of every conversation with the landlord, including ones they refuse to acknowledge in writing.
Related guides
Mold, Pests, and the Warranty of Habitability
How tenants document mold, pest infestations, and unsafe conditions to enforce the implied warranty of habitability.
Can You Legally Withhold Rent for Repairs?
When tenants can legally withhold rent, how to use rent escrow and repair-and-deduct, and the mistakes that cause evictions.
Tenant Rights by State: A Quick Reference
A quick state-by-state overview of deposit return deadlines, notice periods, and habitability rules every U.S. tenant should know.