State Laws - LawABS

U.S. Landlord-Tenant Laws by State (Plain English)

Landlord-tenant laws in the United States are not uniform. While federal housing laws set certain baseline protections, most rules governing rental housing are created and enforced at the state level.
This means that tenant rights, landlord responsibilities, eviction procedures, security deposit rules, and notice requirements can differ significantly depending on where the rental property is located.
This page serves as a central hub for state-level landlord-tenant laws, written in plain English and organized to help you quickly find the information that applies to your situation.
Whether you are a renter trying to understand your rights, a landlord managing a property, or simply researching rental laws across states, this page will help you navigate the differences with clarity.

Why Landlord-Tenant Laws Vary by State

Each U.S. state has the authority to regulate housing within its borders. As a result, states adopt different approaches to:

Tenant protections and habitability standards
Landlord repair and maintenance duties
Security deposit limits and deadlines
Rent increase rules and disclosures
Eviction notices and court procedures
Lease termination and renewal requirements

Some states are considered more tenant-protective, while others place fewer restrictions on landlords. Understanding these differences is critical, because the law that applies to your rental is almost always the law of the state where the property is located, not where the landlord or tenant lives.

How to Use This State Laws Guide

This guide is designed for easy navigation rather than dense legal reading.

Select your state from the list below.
On each state page, you will find a clear overview of that state’s landlord-tenant laws.
Each state page is organized by user role:

Information for tenants
Information for landlords
A complete, neutral overview of the law

You do not need legal training to use these guides. They focus on practical questions people actually ask when renting or managing property.

Who These Guides Are For

Renters and Tenants

If you are renting a home or apartment, state law determines many important rights, including:

When a landlord must make repairs
Whether rent can be increased during a lease
How much notice is required before eviction
When and how your security deposit must be returned
What actions are considered illegal retaliation

Tenant protections vary widely by state, so it is important to rely on state-specific information rather than general advice found online.

Landlords and Property Owners

If you own or manage rental property, state law governs:

Required lease disclosures
Maintenance and habitability obligations
Proper eviction procedures
Limits on fees, deposits, and penalties
Legal handling of abandoned property

Failing to follow state landlord-tenant laws can result in fines, lawsuits, delayed evictions, or loss of rental income. These guides are designed to help landlords understand their obligations before problems arise.

Researchers, Buyers, and Housing Professionals

These guides are also useful for:

Prospective renters comparing laws between states
Investors evaluating rental property risk
Housing advocates and educators
Journalists and researchers looking for plain-language explanations

What These Guides Are — and Are Not

These state law pages are:

Written in plain English
Focused on commonly applied rules
Organized for quick reference
Updated to reflect current state statutes and practices
They are not a substitute for a licensed attorney or official legal advice. Laws can change, and local ordinances or court interpretations may add additional requirements. When facing a serious legal dispute, consulting a qualified local attorney is always recommended.

Select a State to View Landlord-Tenant Laws

Below is a list of U.S. states. Click on your state to view a dedicated page with easy-to-read explanations of landlord and tenant laws.

Understanding State vs. Federal Housing Laws

While this guide focuses on state laws, some federal laws apply nationwide. These include rules related to:

Fair housing and anti-discrimination
Lead-based paint disclosures
Accessibility requirements in certain properties
State laws work alongside these federal rules. In most cases, the law that offers greater protection applies. Each state page highlights how state rules interact with broader federal requirements when relevant.

Start With Your State

Landlord-tenant law is highly location-specific. Small differences—such as a required notice period or deposit deadline—can have major legal consequences.
Use this page to begin your research, select your state, and explore clear, role-based guides designed to help you understand rental laws with confidence.
If you are unsure where to begin, start with the state where the rental property is located. That state’s laws will almost always control the relationship between landlord and tenant.

This content is provided for general informational and educational purposes only.
It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consulting a qualified attorney.
Landlord-tenant laws vary by state and may change over time.