Tenants and Landlords: Select State and Local Laws

Most states and some jurisdictions have Landlord Tenant Acts specific to the area. These laws vary significantly, andÂ state lawsÂ will govern the provisions of any lease.

You can jump to the state you need by using the state links below:

AlabamaÂ

Louisiana

Minnesota

South Carolina

Connecticut

Mississippi

South Dakota

Missouri

Montana

Utah

Nevada

New Jersey

West Virginia

Wyoming

Kentucky

North Dakota

Alabama

Security Deposits

In Alabama, a landlord can charge a tenant a maximum of one monthâ€™s rent as a security deposit.
The landlord has to return the security deposit within 35 days after a tenant movesÂ

Alabama Law Also States:Â

Landlords must give 30 daysâ€™ notice before they can raise the rent.Â
Landlords must also give 2 daysâ€™ notice before they can enter the rental unit.

Alaska

Security Deposits

Except for units renting for more than $2,000 per month,Â security depositsÂ and prepaid rents may not total more than twoÂ months' rent.
The landlord or theÂ property managerÂ must depositÂ security depositsÂ and prepaid rent.
Deposits can only be held in a trust account in a bank, a savings and loan association, or with a licensed escrow agent.

Exceptions can be made for deposits:

In rural Alaska
If there is no bank in town
If it would be impractical to bank the money

A trust account can be any separate savings or checking account labeled "trust account" and used only for deposits and prepaid rents. There is no requirement that the trust account earns interest.

If aÂ property managerÂ manages theÂ rental property, the interest in the trust account belongs to the tenant. This is under the terms of theÂ real estateÂ license law unless the tenant agrees (in writing) that the interest is payable to theÂ property owner.Â

Termination of Tenancy

A seven-dayÂ written noticeÂ is required to terminate a tenancy forÂ nonpayment of rent. The tenant can stay in the property by paying the rent within seven days. The notice must tell tenants that they have the choice of paying or moving.

Arizona

Security Deposits

Security depositsÂ cannot exceed one and a half times the monthly rent.Â
Security depositsÂ must be returned within 14 business days from the time the tenant vacates the premises.

EvictionÂ Process

To bring anÂ evictionÂ action, the landlord must first serve a five-day noticeÂ to vacate the premises in person, by certified mail, or at the premises. If notice is sent by certified or registered mail, the tenant is assumed to have receivedÂ proper noticeÂ on the date the tenant signs for it or five calendar days after it was mailed, whichever occurs first.Â

State lawÂ states that the trial should be held no sooner than three and no later than six business days after the complaint was filed.

EvictionÂ forÂ Nonpayment of RentÂ

If the complaint is forÂ nonpayment of rentÂ and the landlord accepts payment of all rent due and reasonableÂ late feesÂ identified in the written agreement, attorney fees and court costs, theÂ rental agreementÂ is reinstated and the case willÂ automatically be dismissed.Â

AnÂ evictionÂ order is issued no earlier than the sixth calendar day after judgment if the tenant has not moved out of theÂ rental unit. The order instructs the sheriff or constable to evict the tenant. Lockouts and utility shutoffs by the landlord prior to 24 hours after the issuance of a writ areÂ unlawful.Â UnlawfulÂ lockouts and utility shutoffs may entitle the tenant to two months' free rent.Â

Arkansas

Tenants have few rights under Arkansas law. For example:

Rental unitsÂ can lawfully be rented in "as is" condition.Â
The landlord does not have to provide additional maintenance to the dwelling.Â

Security DepositsÂ

Security depositsÂ cannot be in excess of twoÂ months rent.Â
Security depositsÂ must be returned within 30 days.Â
A landlord may withhold the entire amount of theÂ security depositÂ for damages orÂ unpaid rent.Â

EvictionÂ ProceduresÂ

There are two types ofÂ evictionÂ procedures:Â

"UnlawfulÂ detainer" (a civilÂ eviction)
"Failure to vacate" (a criminalÂ eviction)Â

"UnlawfulÂ detainer" requires three days' written noticeÂ to vacate, after which the landlord can file a complaint. If the tenant does not object in writing to theÂ evictionÂ within five days, the sheriff can remove the tenant from theÂ rental property.Â

The "failure to vacate" method ofÂ eviction requires ten days' written notice. This method ofÂ evictionÂ applies only to theÂ nonpayment of rent. Tenants who do not leave the premises within ten days can be charged with a criminal misdemeanor and could be fined $25 a day for each day the tenant remains on theÂ rental property.

A landlord is not permitted to change the locks, move furniture out, turn off utilities, or use any other "self-help" method ofÂ eviction. However, all property left in the dwelling by the tenant will be considered abandoned and may be disposed of by the landlord as the landlord sees fit and without recourse by the tenant. All property left on the premises by the tenant is subjected to a lien in favor of the landlord for the payment of all sums agreed to be paid by the tenant.

California

Security Deposits

A landlord can charge up to twoÂ months' rentÂ for aÂ security depositÂ unless the tenant is a service member, in which case no more than one month rent is allowed.Â
The landlord must pay five percent interest on allÂ security depositsÂ and deposits must be returned to the tenant within 21 days after the tenant vacates theÂ rental property.

Rent Increases

State lawÂ requires a 60-dayÂ noticeÂ for anyÂ rent increasesÂ which, alone or cumulatively, raise a tenant's rent by more than 10 percent within a 12-month period (or statewide for qualifying units at 5% plus inflation).Â

Lockouts

Lockouts are illegal, and the landlord can be liable for $100 a day in penalties on an illegal lockout. There is a three-dayÂ noticeÂ requirement. Tenants must answer a complaint about the forcible detainer within five days or lose the right to trial.

Heat Requirement in San Francisco

Under the San FranciscoÂ Housing Code, landlords must provide heat capable of maintaining a room temperature of 68 degrees (at a point three feet above the floor). This level of heat must be provided for at least thirteen hours, specifically from 5:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

Colorado

Colorado law provides the following:Â

There is a three-day requirement onÂ nonpayment of rentÂ notices.Â
In certain situations, a landlord may have a lien on a tenant's personal property for rent the tenant owes the landlord.Â
In certain circumstances, the landlord may enter the tenant's residence at aÂ reasonable timeÂ and in a peaceable manner to take possession of the property covered by the lien. Under this law, a landlord can take only certain property of the tenant to pay back rent. A landlord cannot take personal items, cooking utensils, bedding, beds, or clothes; however, the landlord can take such items as stereos, computers, and televisions.
If the landlord takes a tenant's property and the tenant doesn't pay money owed to the landlord within 30 days, then the landlord must file a foreclosure action in court. After a complex legal procedure set forth in Colorado law, the landlord may sell the tenant's property to recover the money owed by the tenant.Â
If the landlord sells or otherwise disposes of the tenant's property without properly complying with Colorado law, the tenant is entitled to bring a court action to recover the value of the property or $100 (whichever is greater) and reasonableÂ attorney's fees.Â
The landlord may be liable to the tenant for actual and punitive damages if the landlord wrongfully takes the tenant's property.Â
Lockouts by landlords are illegal, but a tenant who is unlawfully locked out could still be arrested for disturbing the peace if an argument with the landlord erupts in the process of re-entry.

ConnecticutÂ

Security Deposits

Security depositsÂ must be returned within 30 days from the date of move-out.
Security depositsÂ must be kept in an escrow account in a Connecticut bank.
The security depositÂ cannot exceed twoÂ months' rent. This limit is reduced to oneÂ month's rentÂ if a tenant is 62 years of age or older.

Heat, Infestations, and Peeling Paint

In addition, the law requires the temperature of theÂ rental unitÂ to stay above 65 degrees in the winter. The landlord must also keep theÂ rental unitÂ free of rat and roachÂ infestations. No peeling paint or broken windows are allowed.Â

Delaware

Security Deposits

TheÂ security depositÂ may not be more than oneÂ month's rentÂ if theÂ rental agreementÂ is for one year or more.Â
AÂ security depositÂ must be held in a federally insured bank with an office within the State of Delaware. The account must be called aÂ security depositÂ account and cannot be used in the operation of the business of the landlord.Â
The landlord must disclose to the tenant the location of theÂ security depositÂ account within 20 days of the receipt of a written request for that information, or the landlord forfeits theÂ security deposit.

Other Requirements

Delaware law also requires:

Rental agreementsÂ for a period longer than one year must be in writing.
A landlord may not charge any non-refundable fee as a condition for the tenant living in the rented unit, unless that fee is an optional service fee for actual services rendered to the tenant.Â
Delaware has special provisions whereby a tenant may terminate aÂ rental agreementÂ early by giving the landlord 30 days' written notice. These provisions include job transfer in excess of 30 miles, serious illness, admission into a senior citizens facility or retirement home, admission into a subsidizedÂ rental unit, military service, and death.

FloridaÂ

Under Florida law:

A landlord may not prohibit waterbeds unless the local building code bans them. However,Â rentersÂ with waterbeds must carry a "reasonable amount" of liability insurance on the bed payable to the building owner.Â
Deduction notices regardingÂ security depositsÂ must be sent to the tenant within 15 days of move-out; otherwise, the landlord loses the right to take any deductions at all.Â
If the landlord has theÂ security depositÂ in an interest-bearing account, the landlord must pay the tenant either 5% interest or 75% of the account's interest rate.

Georgia

Georgia law requires the following:

The landlord must give the tenant a complete list of all existing damages before the tenant pays aÂ security depositÂ and moves into theÂ rental unit.
Georgia law does not require the landlord to place theÂ security depositÂ in an interest-bearing account nor does the law require that any interest that is earned be paid to the tenant.Â
The landlord has 30 days to return theÂ security depositÂ after the tenant terminates the lease.

Hawaii

To bring anÂ evictionÂ action, the landlord must first serve a five-day noticeÂ to vacate the premises. This notice can be posted on the rental premises

Idaho

Entering theÂ Rental UnitÂ

Idaho law says nothing as to whether the landlord has the right to enter the premises.
If theÂ rental agreementÂ does not address theÂ landlord's rightÂ to enter the premises, the landlord should notify the tenant as to the necessity of entry, requesting permission to enter in a reasonable manner.Â

Security DepositsÂ

Security depositsÂ should be returned within 21 days but in no case later than 30 days after the tenant vacates.Â

Notice RequirementsÂ

If a tenant fails to pay rent or violates any term of theÂ rental agreement, the landlord must give the tenantÂ written noticeÂ of the violation and provide three days in which the tenant can remedy the problem.Â
The notice informing the tenant of the violation must be delivered to the tenant personally, or a copy of the notice may be left with some person of suitable age and discretion at either the tenant's residence or place of business. If this form of communication proves impossible, the landlord may post the notice in a conspicuous place on the property and a copy must be mailed to the tenant at the address where the property is situated.

If a landlord pursues formal legal proceedings for the purpose of evicting a tenant due toÂ nonpayment of rent, the trial must be held within 12 days from the time the lawsuit is filed in court.

Illinois

Security DepositsÂ

There is no limit on the amount ofÂ security depositÂ a landlord can require; however, the landlord must pay the tenant interest on theÂ security depositÂ if it is held for at least six months and there are at least 25Â rental unitsÂ in the complex.Â
The landlord must pay the interest to the tenant or apply the interest as a credit to rent every 12 months.Â
Security depositsÂ must be returned within 45 days ofÂ tenant moveÂ out. AnyÂ security depositÂ wrongfully withheld by the landlord is subject to double damages

The Illinois RetaliatoryÂ EvictionÂ Act Also Provides:

Leases running year-to-year require a 60-dayÂ written notice.
Landlords cannot evict tenants for complaining to any governmental authority.
EvictionsÂ require a 10-day notice. Lockouts and utility shutoffs are prohibited.

Indiana

Security Deposits

Indiana law doesnâ€™t specifically state the amount of security deposit the landlord can hold.
The landlord has to return the security deposit within 45 days after the tenant moves out.

Notice Requirements

The landlord is required to give at least 30 days notice (unless the lease agreement states otherwise) before they can raise the rent.
Landlords must give â€œreasonable noticeâ€ before they can enter the property.

Iowa

Security Deposits

Landlords canâ€™t charge more than 2 months' rent for the security deposit.
The landlord has 30 days from when the tenant moves out to return the security deposit.

Other Requirements

Iowa law requires a landlord to comply with a number of additional things including:

Landlords must give at least 30 days' notice before they can raise the rent.
Tenants have a right to withhold rent to make the necessary repairs if the landlord fails to act.
Landlords must give at least 24 hours' notice before they can enter the property.

Kansas

"Party shack" laws prohibit certain activities in the rental unit, including gambling, promoting obscenity, prostitution, or the use or possession of controlled substances. Under these laws,Â unlawfulÂ activities can subject a tenant toÂ eviction.

The three-day noticeÂ used forÂ nonpayment of rentÂ has been narrowly defined as any 72-hour period with additional time requirements when mailed.Â

Security depositsÂ must be returned with 14 days ofÂ tenant moveÂ out with wrongfully withheld amounts being subject to damages of one and a half times the amount of theÂ security deposit.

Maine

EvictionsÂ require a seven-day notice, and the tenant can cure within seven days by paying the rent. The tenant can also cure prior to the court case being held by paying all rent, cots, and fees due. The notice cannot be served until the tenant is served.

If the tenant owes back rent, the landlord can keep any property left on the premises and may ultimately sell it.

Maryland

Tenants can cure by paying the rent owed, plus court costs, up until the time the sheriff arrives to evict the tenant. This is known as the tenant's "right to redeem." The tenant can exercise this right three times within a 12 month period, at which point the landlord no longer has to accept the rent.Â

Security depositsÂ must be returned within 45 days ofÂ tenant moveÂ out.

MassachusettsÂ

Security Deposits

If there is aÂ security deposit, the landlord must give a written statement of the condition of theÂ rental propertyÂ to the tenant within ten days after the beginning of the tenancy and must deposit the money in a separate interest-bearing account.
The landlord must also give the tenant a signed receipt listing the name of the bank and account number where theÂ security depositÂ is held.
If theÂ landlord failsÂ to do so within 30 days, the tenant is entitled to get theÂ security deposit returned immediately.

Late Charges

Late charges are not permissible unless the rent is more than 30 days late.

Housing Court

Massachusetts has designated Housing Courts with judges specializing in this area. Either party can requestÂ evictionÂ cases be transferred to the Housing Court. However, doing so may limit the parties' appellate rights.

Michigan

The landlord must provide a seven-day noticeÂ prior to bringing anÂ evictionÂ action. Lockouts, shutting off utilities, and physically moving tenant possessions out are illegal landlord actions, and the tenant may sue the landlord for such acts.Â
State lawÂ prohibits the renting of cellars for living purposes. A cellar is defined as having 50% or more of the outside walls below ground level. A basement where more than 50% of the outside walls are above ground can be lawfully rented, but a cellar must meet specific minimum standards before being rented. The only way a cellar can be legally rented is if it has received a variance from the local housing or health department.Â

Security Deposits

Security depositsÂ are regulated by the MichiganÂ Security DepositÂ Act. This law applies to all tenants in the state and to all subtenants and encompasses both verbal and written leases.
The totalÂ security depositÂ charged cannot exceed one and a half times the monthly rental rate.
The landlord must deposit theÂ security depositÂ into a regulated financial institution. The name and address of the institution must be given to the tenant upon rental, and the landlord may only use the money if a bond is posted with the Secretary of State's Office.
Even if a bond is posted, the deposit remains the property of the tenant. Landlords must return theÂ security depositÂ to the tenant within 30 days of the tenant's moving. Landlords may keep the interest earned onÂ security deposits.

Ann Arbor Housing Code: Cleaning Waivers

It is illegal for the landlord to include a cleaning waiver as part of the lease without compensation to the tenant. Ann Arbor CityÂ Housing CodeÂ prohibits cleaning waivers; however, it does not prohibit agreements betweenÂ landlord and tenantÂ that provide for the tenant to clean the unit in return for compensation.

Nebraska

Security Deposits

Security depositsÂ cannot exceed oneÂ month's rentÂ unless there is a pet and the landlord requires a pet deposit.Â
The landlord must return a security deposit within 14 days after a tenant requests it.

Evictions

EvictionsÂ require a three-day notice, and tenants must respond to any summons and complaint in writing.Â
If the tenant does not respond in writing, the landlord can obtain a default judgment.

Heating

No unit may be rented until it contains safe heating equipment, which heats the entire unit.Â

Inspections in Omaha

A city code inspector may not come out to aÂ rental unitÂ to inspect unless the tenant has given the landlord a 14-day noticeÂ of the problems

New Hampshire

New Hampshire law requires landlords to provide safe, sanitary housing for tenants. By law,Â rental propertiesÂ will not meet these standards if any of the following are present:

Bugs, mice or rats (unless the landlord is conducting a routine inspection and extermination program
Internal plumbing that does not work or a back-up of sewage caused by a faulty septic or sewage systemÂ
Bad wiring, such as exposed wires, the wrong connectors, bad switches or outlets, or other conditions that create a danger of electrical shock or fire
Leaking roof or wallsÂ
Falling plaster from the walls or ceilings
Large holes in floors, walls, or ceilings
Porches, stairs, or railings are not structurally sound
Insufficient water, or broken water heater
Leaks in the gas linesÂ
Improperly installed heating facilities or heating facilities which cannot safely and adequately heat all livable rooms and bathrooms to an average temperature of at least 65 degrees, or if heat is included in the rent, the premises are not actually kept at a minimum average temperature of 65 degrees in all livable rooms.

New Mexico

Security DepositsÂ

A landlord cannot charge a tenant for more than oneÂ month's rentÂ as a deposit on any lease of less than a year.Â
If the lease is for a year or more, the landlord may collect a deposit of more than oneÂ month's rentÂ but must pay the tenant current passbook interest on the whole deposit.Â
The landlord has 30 days from the end of the tenancy in which to return theÂ security deposit.Â

Eviction

EvictionsÂ for nonpayment require that the landlord give a three-day noticeÂ then go to court to file for a "writ of restitution of property."Â
The landlord may not lock the tenant out or remove tenant property without a court order.Â

Entering the Premises

If a tenant does not request any type of service to be performed in the residence, the landlord must provide the tenant with a 24-hourÂ written noticeÂ before entering the premises.

New York

Â In New York City, landlord-tenant disputes generally fall into two categories:

Nonpayments, where the tenant has not paid rent
Holdovers, where the landlord alleges the tenant has violated the terms of the lease

These disputes are generally heard in New York City Housing Court, which is part of the New York City Civil Court system.

Depending on how long the tenant lived in the dwelling, New York law requires landlords to give 30, 60, or 90 daysâ€™ notice of lease termination or aÂ rent increaseÂ of 5% or more.Â

If the Housing Court orders anÂ eviction, a 72-hour Notice ofÂ EvictionÂ is sent by a city marshal. New York City residents can call the number on the notice to find out what day the marshal has scheduled theÂ eviction. TheÂ evictionÂ could take place at any time within the 72 hours.

North Carolina

Security Deposits and Late Charges

Security depositsÂ cannot be more than twoÂ months' rent. Late charges cannot exceed $15 or 5% of theÂ rent payment, whichever is more. Late charges cannot be assessed unless the tenant is at least five days late on the rent.Â

Maintenance and Repairs

The landlord is required to maintain in good and safe working order and promptly repair electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and other facilities and appliances supplied, but only if the tenant first advises the landlord of needed repairs in writing.Â

If the repairs are emergency ones, the landlord must fix the problem once the landlord becomes aware of the problem, regardless of whether the tenant has given written notification.

Â If the tenant repairs an emergency problem, the landlord must reimburse the tenant, regardless of prior notice. The tenant can agree to perform some or all of the landlord's maintenance duties, but the parties must make an agreement separate from the lease, and the tenant must be compensated.

North Dakota

Security DepositsÂ

TheÂ security depositÂ cannot exceed the amount of oneÂ month's rentÂ or $1,500. This amount includes any extra pet deposits.Â
The landlord must deposit the money in a federally insured interest-bearing savings or passbook account.Â
The landlord may apply for theÂ security depositÂ money and accrued interest upon termination of the lease toward any damages suffered through the negligence of the tenant,Â unpaid rent, or costs of cleaning and repairs which were the tenant's responsibility.Â
Any tenant property with a total estimated value of no more than $1,500, which has been left for at least 30 days in the vacated premises, becomes the property of the landlord to dispose of or sell, without notice to the tenant. Additionally, expenses for storing or moving the property which exceeds proceeds from the sale can be deducted from theÂ security deposit.
Security depositsÂ must be returned with 30 days of the termination of the lease or the landlord may be subject to treble damages for amounts wrongfully withheld.

Ohio

Ohio law requires:Â

A landlord must first serve a three-day noticeÂ to vacate the premises in person, by mail, or at the premises before bringing anÂ evictionÂ action.
A landlord may enter a tenant's unit only after giving a 24-hour notice, except in case of emergency.Â
Landlords may not enter at an unreasonable time or in an unreasonable manner.Â
Tenants may seek injunctive relief from the courts if landlords abuse their right of access.Â
State lawÂ requires landlords to evict tenants when the landlord has information from a law enforcement officer, based on a legal search, that the tenant, the tenant's guest, or a member of the tenant's household is involved in drug activity in connection with the premises.
In some areas of the state, landlords may be held liable for repeated drug violations in their properties.

Oklahoma

Security Deposits

AllÂ security depositsÂ must be kept in an escrow account by the landlord.Â
When the lease is terminated, anyÂ security depositsÂ may be used to pay the balance of rent due or for repairs to the dwelling. However, the landlord must provide an itemized statement of what is kept and for what the amount is kept delivered to the tenant.Â
The balance of the deposit must be returned within 30 days of the termination date of lease or termination of the tenancy if the tenant sends written demand for the return of the deposit.Â
If the tenant fails to demand (in writing) the return of the deposit within six months, the deposit becomes the landlord's money.

Oregon

Oregon law states:

A landlord may evict a tenant based on a 72-hour notice forÂ nonpayment of rent, if the tenant fails to pay rent within seven days of its due date. If the tenant fails to pay the rent within the 72 hours, the landlord may immediately file a courtÂ evictionÂ proceeding. In calculating the seven-day period, the day the rent is due counts.Â
The landlord may not evict a tenant on 72 hours' notice forÂ nonpayment of rentÂ when the only money owed is a late charge.Â
If a written agreement states the landlord can give notice after four days, only four days of default are required. The notice must give the tenant 144 hours to pay the rent in that case. Notices may be served by either personal delivery or by first-class mail.Â
Oregon law does require that the landlord return the deposit within 31 days after the tenancy ends.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania law provides:

ForÂ evictions, notice time should be written in the lease. For verbal leases, the landlord must give 15 days' notice prior to filing forÂ evictionÂ forÂ nonpayment of rent.Â
State lawÂ allows the tenant to pay the amount of the money judgment up to the time of the scheduledÂ evictionÂ to save the tenancy. However, this money must be paid to the constable, not directly to the landlord. Even after a court-orderedÂ eviction, tenants have 21 days before they are required to move out. Lockouts and utility shutoffs are not allowed.
Security deposits are limited to no more than twoÂ months' rent in the first year of residence and no more than one month rent thereafter.Â
The landlord has 30 days to return theÂ security deposit. If this is not done, the tenant can collect double the amount that would have been due after any damages are taken into account.

Rhode Island

In Rhode Island:

EvictionsÂ require that the landlord send the tenant a five-day notice.
An elderly (age 65 or older) tenant may terminate a writtenÂ lease agreementÂ if entering a residential care/assisted living facility, a nursing facility, or a private or public housing complex designated by the federal government as housing for the elderly.Â
A landlord must give a minimum two-day verbal orÂ written noticeÂ when needing to enter a tenant'sÂ rental unit. Entry should be during reasonable hours and only for legitimate business reasons such as inspections, repairs, alterations, supplying necessary services, or showing the unit to potential buyers orÂ renters.

South Carolina

The law in South Carolina requires:Â

Security depositsÂ must be returned with 30 days of the termination of tenancy.Â
A five-dayÂ written noticeÂ is required unless the lease provides that no such notice need be given.Â
Lockouts and utility shutoffs are illegal.Â
Once a tenant is served withÂ evictionÂ papers, the tenant has ten days to answer. If the tenant does not answer in court, the landlord can obtain an ejectment order to evict the tenant without further court proceedings.

Tennessee

In Tennessee:Â

The landlord cannot turn off utilities while a tenant is living in theÂ rental unit, even if the tenant is in default on the lease.
Lockouts are not permitted.Â
If the landlord refuses to make repairs within 14 days after a written request from the tenant, the tenant can break the lease and can sue the landlord for damages caused by the landlord's refusal to make repairs.Â
A 30-day noticeÂ is required prior to filing forÂ evictionÂ forÂ nonpayment of rentÂ unless the lease provides for a waiver of notice.

Texas

In Texas:Â

Texas law requires a three-day noticeÂ forÂ evictionÂ for breach of the lease unless the notice provides for a shorter or longer notice period.
If utilities are part of theÂ rent payment, the landlord can cut off the utilities but must give a five-dayÂ written noticeÂ of intent to do so, and the tenant must be at least seven days late in paying the rent.
The landlord may legally change the lock on the tenant's door when rent is delinquent but must first give the tenant at least three days advanceÂ written notice. The landlord must also leave a statement attached to the outside of the door explaining where the tenant may acquire a new key. By law, the landlord must give the tenant the key when requested, even if the tenant has not paid rent.Â
The landlord has 30 days to return theÂ security depositÂ after the termination of the lease.

Vermont

In Vermont:

EvictionsÂ require 14-days' notice.Â
A landlord can enter aÂ rental unitÂ only with 48 hours of advanced notice, only at 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., and only to either inspect the premises, make necessary repairs, or show the unit.
Landlords must supply heating facilities capable of safely and adequately heating all habitable rooms. Heating facilities must be able to maintain the heat at a minimum temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit when the outside temperature is 15 degrees Fahrenheit.Â
The Code forbids the use of space heaters with a flame that is not properly vented to a chimney or duct leading to the outdoors.Â
If heat is included in the rental charge, it is theÂ landlord's responsibilityÂ to provide adequate heat whenever the outside temperature is below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, regardless of the time of year.Â
The Code forbids a landlord to turn off required utilities, "except for such temporary interruption as may be necessary while actual repairs or alterations are in process or during temporary emergencies." Thus, it is illegal for a landlord to shut off a tenant's heat, water, or electricity under most circumstances.

In Burlington

People who suffer discrimination inÂ rental unitsÂ may file a complaint either under the BurlingtonÂ Housing DiscriminationÂ Ordinance with the Burlington city attorney's office or under the VermontÂ Fair HousingÂ ActÂ with the Human Rights Commission.Â
If a tenant complains about problems to a housing inspector, and the inspector determines that the problems are code violations, any attempt by the landlord to evict the tenant within 90 days after the landlord has repaired the problems is presumed to be an act of retaliation.Â Security depositsÂ can be no more than oneÂ month's rentÂ and must be placed into an interest-bearing account, with an interest rate at least equivalent to a current Vermont bank passbook savings account. The tenant is entitled to the interest.

Virginia

In Virginia:

EvictionsÂ require a five-day notice, which may be sent with a certificate of mailing or posted on the door by the county sheriff's department. The notice should name each person on the lease and specify the sum due.Â
Until the court date, a tenant has theÂ legal rightÂ to avoidÂ evictionÂ by paying the landlord the full amount due (including reasonableÂ attorney's feesÂ and late charges as well as rent). A tenant may exercise this right only once in any 12-month period with the same landlord.Â
The VirginiaÂ ResidentialÂ LandlordÂ and TenantÂ Act protect tenants from certain types of retaliatoryÂ eviction.
A tenant otherwise in compliance with the lease cannot be evicted simply for complaining to the landlord about a violation ofÂ state lawÂ or the countyÂ housing code, complaining to County Community Inspections about a serious code violation, organizing or joining a tenants' association, or testifying against the landlord in court.

Washington

All leases beyond one month must be in writing. Leases of more than one year must also be notarized.

In SeattleÂ

TheÂ Rental AgreementÂ Regulation Ordinance declares that month-to-monthÂ rental agreementsÂ cannot contain minimum stay requirements, and requires landlords to provide tenants with a summary ofÂ landlord-tenant laws. Seattle's Just-Cause Ordinance protects cityÂ rentersÂ from retaliatoryÂ evictions. Additionally, landlords of city tenants are required to give at least 60 days'Â written noticeÂ when housing costs are increased by 10% or more in a year.

Wisconsin

Wisconson law provides:

Landlords may not advertise or rent a condemned property.
Landlords must disclose any uncorrectedÂ housing codeÂ violations of which they have received notice and must also reveal any other defects which may be a substantial hazard to health or safety, such structural defects, a lack of hot and cold running water, or serious plumbing or electrical problems.Â
If the heating unit is incapable of maintaining a temperature of at least 67 degrees Fahrenheit, this fact must also be disclosed.Â
If the dwelling unit is one of several units, which are not individually metered, the landlord must disclose how utility charges will be allocated among the individual dwelling units.Â
A landlord has the right to inspect, repair, and show the premises atÂ reasonable times. Except for emergency situations, the landlord may only enter after 12-hour advance notice.Â
There are no statewide rent controls in Wisconsin. There is noÂ state lawÂ limiting the amount of aÂ rent increase.Â
Month-to-month tenancy requires a notice of termination at least 28 days prior to the next rent due date.Â
An initial five days' notice is required prior to filingÂ evictionÂ proceedings with the tenant having the option to pay and/or cure the default. But on a second default, the landlord can terminate on 14 days' notice without giving the tenant an opportunity to pay or cure the default.
Holdover tenants can be obligated to pay twice the amount of the rent, prorated on a daily basis, for each day ofÂ unlawfulÂ occupation of the premises.Â
The landlord must returnÂ security depositsÂ within 21 days and may deduct forÂ unpaid rentÂ or physical damages for which the tenant is responsible.Â State lawÂ does not require payment of interest onÂ security deposits.