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Renter's rights, in plain language

Key first steps, phone lines, and sample letters for renters anywhere in the US. Free for everyone, no account needed.

Last reviewed: October 25, 2026

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Not legal advice. Not affiliated with HUD or any government agency. This page shares general information and links to official and established sources. Renter rules are different in every state and city. Always check your own state's rules, or talk with free legal aid through LawHelp.org, the free legal aid finder.

Scam safety: If you get a surprise text, email, call, or chat message asking for rent, a deposit, or a payment to a new account, don't tap its links or call its number. Check it with your landlord or property manager at the number in your lease (relay: dial 711), and report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

  1. A notice on your door

    • A notice is not an eviction. In general, only a court can legally make you leave.
    • Don't ignore it. Keep a copy, and write down the deadline and the amount it says you owe.
    • Notice periods depend on your state, so check your state's rules.
    • If you can pay, pay in a way you can prove and get a receipt. If you can't, call 211 (relay: 711) and ask about rental assistance.
    • Contact free legal aid: find legal aid on LawHelp.org.

  2. Eviction court papers

    • Don't skip the hearing. If you don't go, the court will almost always rule against you automatically. This is called a default judgment.
    • Some states require a written answer within a short time, so check the deadline on your papers right away.
    • Call free legal aid today, and look for your court's self-help center. Many courts have free help on the day of the hearing.

  3. Locked out by your landlord

    • In many states, changing the locks without a court order is an illegal lockout. Check your state's rules.
    • Call the police non-emergency line (relay: 711) and say it's a lockout.
    • Take dated photos, save every message from your landlord, and contact legal aid.

  4. Security deposit not returned

    • Return deadlines and rules are different in each state. Check your state's rule.
    • Send a written demand letter that includes your forwarding address and keep a copy. See the sample deposit demand letter.
    • If they still don't pay, ask legal aid about small claims court in your state.

  5. No heat or repairs ignored

    • Don't just stop paying rent. In many places that can get you evicted, even when the landlord is in the wrong. Withholding rent is legal only in some states, and only if you follow the steps exactly.
    • Send a dated written repair request and keep a copy. See the sample repair request.
    • Take dated photos. For heat, write down the indoor temperature.
    • Call your city's code enforcement office for an inspection (relay: 711).
    • Check with legal aid before trying options like repair-and-deduct. If it's dangerously cold, call 211 (relay: 711) for emergency heating help.

  6. Service or assistance animal refused

    Under the federal Fair Housing Act, landlords generally have to make a reasonable accommodation for a service or assistance animal, even with a "no pets" rule. You can file a free complaint with HUD at 1-800-669-9777 (TTY 1-800-927-9275) or online: file a HUD fair housing complaint. Complaints must be filed within 1 year of the incident (HUD fair housing booklet, PDF). Your state may have its own civil rights agency and extra protections. More: HUD fair housing.

  7. Domestic violence and your lease

    • If you're in danger now, call 911. If you're deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability, call 911 directly with your TTY, or text 911 where it's available. Don't use 711 relay to reach 911.
    • The National Domestic Violence Hotline is free, confidential, and open 24/7: 1-800-799-7233 (relay: 711), or text START to 88788. National Domestic Violence Hotline website.
    • Many states let survivors end a lease early with written notice and proof. Check your state's rules with legal aid.
    • If your housing gets federal assistance, the Violence Against Women Act protects you too: HUD: VAWA housing protections.

  8. Retaliation after a complaint

    • Many states protect tenants from retaliation for complaining to a government agency about health or safety problems. Check your state's rules.
    • Keep your complaint, the city's records, and any notice from your landlord, all with dates.
    • Contact legal aid. Retaliation can be a defense if the landlord tries to evict you.

  9. Job loss or can't pay rent

  10. Utility shutoff threats

    • In many states, it's illegal for a landlord to cut off your water, electricity, or gas to make you pay or move out. Check your state's rules.
    • Save the message, or write down exactly what was said and when.
    • If they do shut it off, call the utility company, your local code enforcement office, and the police non-emergency line (relay: 711 for any of these), and contact legal aid.
    • For help paying, call 211 (relay: 711).

  11. Reading the fine print in your lease

    • Before you share your lease with anyone, cover or delete Social Security, bank and account numbers.
    • Go through it one section at a time. For each one, ask: what does this say, and what does it mean for me?
    • Watch for clauses that seem unusual or unfair, like extra fees, who pays for repairs, or rules about the landlord coming in.
    • Whether a clause is allowed depends on your state's law, and some lease terms may not be enforceable. Check your state's rules.
    • Write down questions to ask the landlord before you sign, and ask for answers in writing.
    • Before you sign, if anything worries you, contact free legal aid: find legal aid on LawHelp.org.
    • The Renter's Rights Helper bot can walk through your lease with you in plain words. It can miss things, and local rules or recent changes may apply, so treat its review as a starting point, not legal advice.

  12. Phone lines

    If you're deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, dial 711 to reach any of these through relay.

    • Emergency: 911 (call 911 directly by TTY, or text 911 where available; don't use 711 for emergencies)
    • Local help and rental assistance: 211 (relay: 711)
    • HUD fair housing complaints: 1-800-669-9777 (TTY 1-800-927-9275, or relay: 711)
    • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (relay: 711), or text START to 88788
    • Police non-emergency and code enforcement: look up your local numbers (relay: 711)

  13. Sample letters

    Fill in the brackets. Keep a copy of every letter and write down the date and how you sent it. Check your state's rules before you send.

    Repair request

    [Your name]
[Your address and unit]
[Phone or email]
[Date]

[Landlord or property manager name]
[Landlord address]

Re: Repair request for [your address and unit]

I am writing to ask for a repair. The problem is:
[describe the problem, for example: no heat / a leak under
the kitchen sink].

It started on [date]. I first told you on [date] by [phone /
text / email].

Please fix this by [date]. Let me know when someone will come,
and I will make sure they can get in.

I have photos dated [dates] and can share them.

Thank you,
[Your name]

    Security deposit demand

    [Your name]
[Your forwarding address]
[Phone or email]
[Date]

[Landlord or property manager name]
[Landlord address]

Re: Return of security deposit for [old address and unit]

I moved out of [old address] on [date] and returned the keys
on [date]. I paid a security deposit of $[amount].

I have not received my deposit or a written list of
deductions. Please send my deposit to the forwarding address
above by [date].

I understand that [state] law sets rules for returning
deposits: [your state's rule, from an official source].

Sincerely,
[Your name]

    Payment plan request

    [Your name]
[Your address and unit]
[Phone or email]
[Date]

[Landlord or property manager name]
[Landlord address]

Re: Payment plan for rent at [address and unit]

I am behind on rent because [for example: I lost my job on
(date)]. I want to stay in my home and pay what I owe.

I owe $[amount]. I am asking for a payment plan:
$[amount] on [date], then $[amount] each [week / month]
until it is paid, along with my regular rent.

I have applied for help from [program, if any].

Please reply in writing by [date].

Thank you,
[Your name]