Retaliation

Your landlord may not evict you as punishment. For example, they may not evict you because you reported housing code violations. They also may not evict you because you sued them for housing discrimination. Tell the court if this happened to you.

Your landlord may not punish you for using your rights. Reporting unsafe conditions to a housing inspector cannot legally get you evicted. The law calls this retaliation, and it is not allowed.

Many states make it illegal for your landlord to retaliate (punish you for reporting unsafe conditions). This can look like an eviction notice, a rent increase, or fewer services soon after you complain. Not every state protects you. Each state defines this differently. Check your state's guide before you rely on this protection.

Your landlord cannot single out your rent for an increase because you told a code enforcement office about a housing or building problem. The problem must seriously affect your health or safety.

Your landlord cannot raise your rent because you complained to your landlord about a repair problem the law requires your landlord to fix. The law covers problems like broken heat, water, or electrical systems. Your landlord also cannot raise your rent because you started or joined a group of renters.

Your landlord may not punish you for complaining about a repair problem. You are protected if you complain to your landlord about a problem the law requires your landlord to fix. You are protected too if you complain to a government agency about a building or housing problem that seriously affects health or safety. In most cases, your landlord may not raise your rent, cut your services, or start or threaten to evict you because you complained.

Your landlord may not retaliate (punish you) after you try to enforce your rights under the Alaska landlord and tenant law. Retaliating means raising rent, cutting services, or bringing or threatening to bring a court case for possession (to take your home). Alaska law lists cases where this limit does not apply. If your landlord breaks this rule, you have a defense in a court case for possession.

Alaska law says a landlord may not retaliate (act against you because you used a right) by raising rent. The rule applies after you do any one of these things. You complained to your landlord of a violation of AS 34.03.100. You sought to enforce your rights under Alaska's landlord and tenant law. You organized or joined a tenant's union or similar group. You complained to a government agency responsible for enforcing housing, wage, price, or rent controls. The rule has limits set in other parts of the same section.

Your landlord may not raise your rent to retaliate (punish you) after you take certain steps. One step is to complain to the landlord of a violation of AS 34.03.100. Another is to try to enforce your rights under Alaska's landlord and tenant law. Others are to join a tenant's union or complain to a government agency that enforces housing, wage, price, or rent controls. Alaska law lists cases where this limit does not apply. If your landlord breaks this rule, you have a defense if the landlord sues you to take your home.

Alaska law bars a landlord from raising rent to retaliate (punish you for using your rights). The landlord may still raise rent in some cases. One is when the landlord became liable (legally responsible) for a substantial increase in property taxes. The landlord must have become liable not less than 4 months before asking for the increase. The increase must bear a reasonable relationship to the net increase in taxes.

Alaska law bars a landlord from raising rent to retaliate (punish you for using your rights). The landlord may still raise rent in some cases. One is when the landlord can show, by competent evidence (proof), that the rent now asked is not more than what other tenants pay. The comparison is with the rent charged to other tenants of similar units in the building. For a single-family home, or a building with no similar unit, the rent may not be more than the fair rental value.

Your landlord may not retaliate (punish you) by raising rent or cutting services. The landlord may not bring or threaten to bring an eviction case either. The limit applies after steps such as complaining to the landlord of a violation of AS 34.03.100. Alaska law lists cases where this limit does not apply. For example, say you are in default in rent (behind on rent). After a notice to quit (a written notice to leave), the landlord may then bring an eviction case.

Your landlord may not raise your rent, cut your services, or bring or threaten an eviction case to get back at you. This applies after you do any of four things. You complain to your landlord of a violation of AS 34.03.100. You try to enforce your rights under the state rental law. You organize or join a tenant's union or similar group. You complain to a government agency that enforces housing, wage, price or rent controls. AS 34.03.310(c) and (d) list cases where these limits do not apply.

Your landlord may not bring an eviction case to get back at you after you take one of four steps. The steps are these. You complain to the landlord of a violation of AS 34.03.100. You try to enforce your rights under the state rental law. You join a tenant's union. You complain to an agency that enforces housing, wage, price or rent controls. If it happens, you have a defense (a reason the case should not go against you). AS 34.03.310(c) and (d) list cases where these limits do not apply.

If you follow your lease and the state renter law, your landlord cannot raise your rent to punish you for some actions. The actions must be from the last 6 months. These include a complaint to a code agency about a problem that seriously affects health and safety. They include a written repair request made in good faith, or joining a tenants' group. They include winning, or having pending, a lawsuit against your landlord about your rental.

Even after you take an action the retaliation law protects, your landlord can raise your rent with proper notice. This is allowed at the end of your lease term, or as your lease allows. Your landlord must show the increase matches increases for other renters in similar units. It must be uniform and not aimed at you.

If you follow your lease and the state renter law, your landlord cannot punish you for certain actions from the past 6 months. Punishing you means raising your rent, cutting services, or bringing or threatening an eviction case. One protected action is a code complaint about a problem that seriously affects health and safety. Others are a written repair request made in good faith, or a fair housing complaint. You can use this rule as a defense in your eviction case. A landlord who breaks it owes you 2 times your monthly rent. For a $1,200 monthly rent, that is $2,400. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

If you follow your lease and the state renter law, your landlord cannot punish you for a written repair request made in good faith. Your landlord cannot raise your rent, cut your services, or bring or threaten an eviction case because of it. This protection covers requests you made in the past 6 months.

Your landlord cannot raise your rent, cut your services, or evict you because you complained to a housing agency about a code problem. This protection applies only when the problem is a serious risk to health or safety. Your landlord also cannot do these things because you joined or organized a tenants' group. The protection does not apply if the problem came mainly from a lack of reasonable care. That means care by you, someone in your household, or a guest you allowed. It also does not apply if you are behind on rent.

Did you make a protected complaint in the 6 months before your landlord raised your rent, cut services, or tried to evict you? That can be a complaint to a code agency about a problem that seriously affects health or safety. It can also be a complaint to your landlord about required repairs. If so, the law assumes your landlord did it in retaliation, meaning to punish you for complaining. Your landlord can still show a different reason. The assumption does not apply if you complained only after your landlord already gave you notice to end your lease.

Your landlord cannot raise your rent to punish you for a complaint. This is true if you told a government office about a building code problem. The problem must be one that seriously affects your health or safety.

Arizona law bans a rent increase that punishes you for telling your landlord your home is not fit to live in.

Arizona law bans a rent increase that punishes you for organizing or joining a tenants' group.

Say that in the last 6 months you complained to a code agency or to your landlord. The complaint must be about a problem that seriously affects health or safety, or about required repairs. Arizona law then assumes a later rent increase was to punish you, unless your landlord shows otherwise. That assumption does not apply if you complained after your landlord already gave notice ending your lease.

The rule against rent increases to punish you has a limit. Your landlord can still evict you if the problem came mainly from a lack of reasonable care. That means care by you, someone in your household, or a guest you allowed.

Even if a rent increase looks like punishment for a complaint, your landlord can still evict you if you are behind on your rent.

If your landlord raised your rent to punish you and later tries to evict you, you can use that as a defense in court.

Payback evictions are illegal. Your landlord cannot evict you within 6 months of you asking for repairs or reporting code problems. This defense does not cover unpaid rent cases.

Texas law protects you when you use your legal rights. Protected actions include asking your landlord for repairs in good faith. They also include reporting building or housing code problems to the city. Joining or starting a tenant organization is protected too.

Your landlord cannot raise your rent to punish you for a protected action. The law calls this punishment retaliation. The protection covers the 6 months after you take a protected action.

If your landlord punishes you for using your rights, you can sue. You can get a penalty of 1 month's rent plus $500, plus your real losses, court costs, and lawyer fees. If your rent is $1,500, the penalty is $1,500 plus $500, which is $2,000. The court takes away any unpaid rent you owe. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

Your landlord cannot punish you for reporting Sanitary Code problems to the government. Shutting off your heat to punish you for using your rights is illegal. If your landlord does something like that within 6 months of you using your rights, a court will assume it was punishment. Your landlord then has to prove otherwise.

Your landlord cannot punish you for reporting them or taking them to court over this. This is called retaliation.

Your landlord cannot raise your rent to punish you for using your legal rights. Protected acts include reporting unsafe conditions, complaining to your landlord in writing, going to court, and joining a tenants union. In Boston, reports to the City's housing inspection office are protected too.

Timing protects you. Suppose your landlord raises rent or sends a notice to quit within 6 months after your protected act. The court then assumes the landlord acted to punish you. This protection works in your own lawsuit and as a defense against eviction. Your landlord can defeat that assumption only with clear and convincing proof.

If your landlord raises your rent to punish you for a protected act, the landlord owes you money. Protected acts include reporting code violations, going to court over housing laws, or joining a tenants' union. You get 1 to 3 months of rent, or your actual losses if greater. With $1,500 rent, that is $1,500 to $4,500. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays. Your landlord also pays court costs and a reasonable lawyer fee. A lease cannot take away this right.

Retaliation is a defense. Say you complained about repairs to your landlord or a government agency, and you are not behind on rent. Then your landlord cannot evict you, raise your rent, or cut services in retaliation for 180 days after your complaint.

Your landlord may not punish you for objecting to illegal entries, or for going to court. Raising your rent, cutting services, or trying to evict you because you used your legal rights is against the law. This is called retaliation. If you sue over it, you must show proof the landlord acted to punish you. A court can award your real losses, plus $100 to $2,000 for each act like this. This applies when the landlord acted with fraud, oppression, or a wish to harm you.

Your landlord cannot raise your rent to punish you. This applies if you are paid up on rent and you complained about repairs to your landlord or a city agency. The 180-day clock can also start from a housing inspection, a citation, or a court case about repairs. A rent increase made in retaliation within 180 days after the latest of those events is not allowed.

Your landlord cannot punish you for asking for repairs or complaining to an inspector. This is called retaliation. If you are current on rent, this protection lasts 180 days. The clock starts on your complaint, inspection, or court filing. During that time your landlord cannot evict you, raise your rent, or cut services. Threatening to report you to immigration officials also counts as retaliation.

You can use the 180-day retaliation protection only once in any 12 months. During those 180 days, your landlord can still act if the notice states a good-faith reason. If you dispute that reason, your landlord must prove it at the trial or hearing.

Retaliation is illegal and is a defense. The landlord cannot evict you for complaining to the city, asking for repairs, or joining a tenant group. If you did a protected act in the past year, the court starts by treating the eviction as retaliation.

The landlord cannot punish you for standing up for your privacy. Chicago and Illinois law both ban this kind of punishment for using any legal right. It is called retaliation. Retaliation includes ending your lease, raising rent, cutting services, or threatening a lawsuit.

Your landlord may not raise your rent to punish you. This punishment is called retaliation. Chicago law forbids a rent increase as punishment for using your rights. Protected acts include asking for repairs and complaining to a city agency about code problems. They also include joining a tenant group and testifying about the condition of your building.

The court helps you prove retaliation. Did you complain to the city, ask for repairs, or do another protected act within 1 year before the rent increase? Then the court starts from the assumption that your landlord raised your rent to punish you. Your landlord must prove there was a different reason.

If a court finds retaliation, you choose what happens next. You can stay in your home, or you can end your lease. Either way, your landlord must pay you up to 2 months of rent or 2 times your actual losses, whichever is more. For example, 2 times $1,000 in losses is $2,000. Your landlord must also pay your reasonable lawyer fees. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

The landlord cannot punish you for asking for repairs or reporting code violations. Ending your lease, raising rent, or cutting services because you complained is illegal retaliation under both Chicago and Illinois law.

Colorado law bans your landlord from raising your rent to punish you for using certain rights. One protected right is making a good faith complaint about a problem that materially (seriously) harms your life, health, or safety. Another is joining or forming a group of renters. A third is using in good faith any other right this state's renter law gives you. You do not have to prove this was your landlord's only reason, just that it helped cause the decision.

If your landlord raises your rent to punish you for using certain legal rights, Colorado law lets you end your rental early. Ending your rental means you give up your home, so decide where you will live next before you act.

A court can order your landlord to pay you money if it decides the rent increase was to punish you for using your rights. The court can award 3 months of rent or 3 times your actual money losses, whichever is more. For example, 3 times a $1,500 loss is $4,500. The court can also order your landlord to pay reasonable (fair) lawyer's fees and court costs. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

You might stop paying a rent increase because you believe your landlord raised it to punish you. If your landlord then starts a court case to remove you for not paying, Colorado law lets you raise this as your defense.

Your landlord cannot punish you for a good faith complaint about a broken or unsafe home. Punishing you can mean raising your rent or cutting your services. It can mean ending your lease without your permission. It can mean threatening to evict you. It can mean charging you a fee or a penalty.

If your landlord punishes you for a good faith complaint, the court must order your landlord to pay you money. The most you can get is 3 months of rent or 3 times your losses, whichever is more. The court also orders your landlord to pay your reasonable lawyer fees and court costs. For example, 3 months of $1,500 rent is $4,500. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

Your landlord cannot raise your rent within 6 months after you ask, in good faith, for repairs. Your landlord also cannot raise your rent within 6 months after you report a housing or health problem to a town or state agency. This only applies if you made that report in good faith. The same is true if you report that problem, in good faith, to a fair rent commission instead. Connecticut calls this a retaliatory rent increase (a rent increase used to punish you for using your rights).

Your landlord also cannot raise your rent within 6 months after you join a group of renters. The same is true if you help start such a group. Your landlord cannot raise your rent if a town agency or official files a notice about a housing or health problem at your home. This ban lasts for 6 months after the agency files that notice.

Your landlord can still raise your rent during those 6 months if you caused the problem yourself through carelessness. The same is true if someone in your home, or a guest you let in, caused it through carelessness instead.

Connecticut protects you from a rent increase for 6 months after you ask, in good faith, for repairs. The same 6-month protection applies if you report a housing or health problem in good faith, or if you join a group of renters. Your landlord can still raise your rent in that time if costs go up a lot. This is allowed only if the cost has nothing to do with your complaint. The cost must be something like a rise in property taxes. That cost must have gone up at least 4 months before your landlord asks for the increase. The increase can be no more than the share of that cost rise that applies to your home.

You can defend an eviction case by proving your landlord brought it only because you lawfully tried to fix a housing problem. Lawful ways include contacting a town or state office, or filing a complaint with a fair rent commission. You must still pay rent for the home while the court decides this defense.

If you have asked your landlord in good faith to make repairs, Connecticut law limits what your landlord can do next. The same is true if you complain in good faith about a code problem to a city or state official. It is also true if you complain to a fair rent commission. For 6 months after, your landlord cannot try to evict you, demand more rent, or cut your services.

Your landlord can still try to evict you even after you complain, if you used your home illegally or broke the lease. Your landlord can also still act if you did not pay rent. The same is true if your landlord in good faith wants to move into the home. It is also true if you, someone in your household, or a guest you allowed in caused the problem on purpose. Finally, it is true if your landlord gave notice to end a rental with no fixed end date before you complained.

Delaware law prohibits retaliation. Retaliation is when your landlord tries to do one of these things. One is to pursue summary possession (a court case to take back the home) or otherwise make you leave against your will. Another is to demand a rent increase. The third is to decrease services you are entitled to. It counts after, for example, you complained in good faith about a building, housing or other code violation to your landlord or a code authority.

Say your landlord pursues summary possession (a court case to take back the home), demands a rent increase, or decreases services. You prove this happened within 90 days of a complaint or act listed in the law. Then the court presumes (treats it as true unless your landlord proves a defense the law lists) that it is retaliation (getting back at you). One defense is seeking in good faith to recover the home for immediate use as the landlord's own residence.

Say your landlord seeks possession of your home or otherwise tries to push you out against your will. This breaks the retaliation law (the law against getting back at you for using your rights). You may recover 3 months' rent or 3 times your losses, whichever is greater. You may also recover the cost of the suit, but not lawyers' fees. Example: with $1,000 rent, 3 months' rent is $3,000. If your losses are $2,000, 3 times that is $6,000, so you recover $6,000. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

Delaware law says a landlord may not demand a rent increase after you take certain steps. One example is a good-faith complaint about a code violation. The code can be a building or housing code, for example. You can complain to your landlord or to the authority that enforces the code.

A landlord may not demand a rent increase after you organize a tenants' organization. The same is true after you become an officer of one.

Suppose you prove your landlord demanded a rent increase within 90 days of a complaint or act that the law lists. Then the law presumes (treats it as true) that the increase was a retaliatory act (an act to get back at you).

A landlord has several defenses to a claim of a retaliatory act (an act to get back at you). One is proof that the rent now demanded is no more than the rent charged other tenants of similar rental units in the same complex. The landlord must show this by competent evidence.

Your landlord cannot start or threaten an eviction case mainly to punish you for using your rights. This includes reporting a building, housing, or health problem to a government agency. It also includes joining or forming a group with other tenants, or using your fair housing rights. You must have acted in good faith to use this defense. You can raise it as your defense in the eviction case itself.

Your landlord cannot raise your rent, cut your services, or start or threaten a court case, mainly to get back at you. This is illegal if you did things like report a problem to a code office or join a renters' group. If conditions are very bad, a code inspector can order everyone to leave until repairs are made. Ask legal aid before you report a problem, if you can. You must have acted honestly, not just to cause trouble, for this protection to apply.

Your landlord cannot raise your rent mainly to punish you for something you did. Florida law bans a landlord from raising rent, cutting services, or trying to evict you for this reason. This is called retaliation. One example is complaining to a local code agency about the home. Another is joining or helping a tenant group. Another is complaining to your landlord about repairs. Another is using your rights under fair housing law.

Your landlord cannot raise your rent, cut off services, or try to evict you mainly to punish you for complaining.

This is against the law if you complained to a code agency about a building, housing, or health problem.

It is also against the law if you asked your landlord in writing to fix something.

You must have made your complaint honestly, not just to cause trouble.

Georgia law protects renters from retaliation (the landlord getting back at you) in some cases. The protected actions include asking the landlord for repairs. Taking part in a tenant group about safety or health is also protected. So is filing a good faith complaint with a government office about a housing or building code violation. Some conditions apply.

If a Georgia landlord increases the rent within 3 months of a renter's protected action, the law assumes the landlord was punishing the renter. The landlord can answer by showing a lawful reason that is not punishment.

Georgia law lets a landlord raise rent or cut services, even within 3 months of a renter’s protected action, in two cases. One is when a written lease permits it. The other is a pattern of service cuts for the whole complex, or a state or federal housing program. Asking for repairs is one protected action.

A renter who wins a claim that the landlord punished them may get 1 month's rent plus $500, and court costs, less any rent owed. Attorney fees are possible. Example: with $1,000 rent and none owed, that is $1,500 plus costs. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

Georgia law presumes (starts by assuming) a landlord is getting back at you. This is when the landlord files an eviction case within 3 months of your protected action. Asking the landlord to repair the property is one protected action, under certain conditions. To overcome this, the landlord must show a lawful reason that is not getting back at you. Being behind on rent is one.

It is illegal in Georgia for a landlord to evict you or get back at you for asking for a repair. It is also illegal for calling code enforcement.

In Hawaii, your landlord may not demand a rent increase after you complain in good faith. The complaint must be about a problem that breaks a health law or rule, or the landlord-tenant law. This holds while you keep paying the usual rent, or give receipts for rent you lawfully held back.

In Hawaii, your landlord may not demand a rent increase after you ask in good faith for repairs. The request must be under section 521-63 or 521-64 of the landlord-tenant law. This holds while you keep paying the usual rent, or give receipts for rent you lawfully held back.

In Hawaii, your landlord may not demand a rent increase after the department of health or another agency files a notice or complaint. It must be about breaking a health law or rule, or the landlord-tenant law. This holds while you keep paying the usual rent, or give receipts for rent you lawfully held back.

In Hawaii, your landlord may still raise the rent in some cases after a complaint or repair request. One case is when it is only about problems caused by your lack of due care. Another is when someone in your household, or someone there with your consent, lacked due care.

You may complain in good faith to the department of health, your landlord, or another agency about a health law violation. You may also in good faith request repairs under section 521-63 or 521-64. After that, your landlord cannot demand a rent increase or decrease your services. The landlord cannot cause you to leave against your will. This protects you only while you keep offering the usual rent, or receipts for rent lawfully withheld (held back). The law lists cases where your landlord can still recover possession, for example in good faith for the landlord's own home.

Say you complain in good faith about conditions that break a health law or regulation (a government rule). You can complain to your landlord, the department of health, the building department, or the office of consumer protection. A government agency for landlord-tenant disputes also counts. Then your landlord may not take you to court to get your home back, make you leave, ask for more rent, or cut your services. This holds while you pay the usual rent or show receipts for rent you lawfully held back. One caution: for very bad conditions, an inspector can condemn the home (order it closed). Then everyone must leave.

After you in good faith ask for repairs, your landlord may not take you to court to get your home back. Your landlord may not make you leave, ask for more rent, or cut your services. A repair request can be a written notice that a condition takes away much of what your rental agreement gave you. It can be a written notice of a broken condition that materially fails the rental agreement. The protection lasts while you pay the usual rent or show receipts for rent you lawfully held back.

Your landlord may still recover possession (get your home back) after a complaint, among other reasons. One reason is that the landlord in good faith seeks possession for immediate use. The use must be as the landlord's own home or that of the landlord's immediate family. Another is that the landlord seeks in good faith to substantially alter, remodel, or demolish (tear down) the property.

Say your landlord breaks the retaliation rule and you lose your home or are forced out against your will. You may recover the losses you suffered and the cost of suit, including reasonable attorney's fees. That is money the landlord must pay you. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

In a manufactured home park, a landlord may not raise your rent or cut services because you used a legal right. The same goes for ending your rental or refusing to renew it. One example is complaining about safety conditions of the park, says the Idaho Attorney General.

Your landlord may not evict you because you ask for repairs or because you join a tenants' association.

Illinois' Landlord Retaliation Act took effect January 1, 2025 (765 ILCS 721). It protects you if your landlord punishes you for things like reporting code violations or asking for repairs. If your landlord acts against you within 1 year after a protected action, the law assumes it was retaliation unless your landlord proves otherwise.

Since January 1, 2025, Illinois law bans a rent increase used as punishment. Your landlord may not raise your rent because you complained to a housing inspector or official. The same ban covers asking for repairs, joining a tenant group, testifying about the home's condition, or using any legal right. This is the Landlord Retaliation Act.

If the rent increase comes within 1 year after your complaint or repair request, the court starts by treating it as retaliation. The landlord can defeat this by proving a real business reason. The landlord can also show the increase was already in motion before you complained. Save the dates of your complaint and of the notice.

If a court finds retaliation, you can use it as a defense in any eviction case and sue the landlord. The court can let you end the lease and get your deposit and prepaid rent back. It can also order the landlord to pay you up to 2 months' rent or 2 times your actual losses, whichever is more. The landlord must also pay your lawyer's fees. For $1,000 rent, 2 months is $2,000. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

Illinois' Landlord Retaliation Act, 765 ILCS 721, took effect on January 1, 2025. It bans your landlord from punishing you for asking for repairs or reporting problems to the city. If your landlord raises rent, cuts services, or tries to evict you within 1 year of your complaint, retaliation is assumed. Your landlord then has to prove another reason for their action.

Iowa law says your landlord cannot raise your rent to punish you for telling a government office about a housing code problem. This only counts if the problem is a real risk to health and safety, not a small one.

Iowa law bans your landlord from raising your rent to punish you for telling your landlord about a legal problem with your home. It also bans a rent increase used to punish you for joining or starting a tenants' group.

A good-faith complaint is an honest complaint, not one made just to cause trouble. If you made one within the 12 months before your landlord raised the rent, a court will assume it did so to punish you. This assumption does not apply if you complained only after your landlord had already told you about a coming rent increase.

A court may assume your landlord raised your rent to punish you. The landlord can prove this wrong by showing the cost of owning or running the building has gone up. The landlord must also show the rent increase matches how much those costs increased.

If your landlord raises your rent to punish you, you have a defense against eviction. You can raise it if your landlord later takes you to court to try to evict you.

If your landlord raises your rent to punish you, you can recover the money you actually lost because of it. You can also get a reasonable payment toward your lawyer's fees. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

Your landlord cannot punish you by raising your rent, cutting your services, or starting an eviction case. This is illegal if you complained to a government agency that enforces building or housing codes about a problem that seriously affects health and safety. The same rule applies if you complained to your landlord about needed repairs, or joined a tenants' group.

Your landlord cannot raise your rent, cut your services, or start an eviction case to punish you for using your rights. If your landlord does, you can raise this as a defense in your eviction case. If you made a good-faith complaint within 1 year before your landlord's action, that matters. The court then presumes (treats it as true unless your landlord proves it is not) that your landlord acted to punish you. This does not apply if you complained only after your landlord gave notice of a rent increase or a service cut.

Your landlord cannot raise your rent, cut your services, or try to evict you to punish you. This applies if you told a government agency that your home breaks a health or safety rule. It also applies if you told your landlord about a repair problem, or if you joined a group of renters.

If your landlord raises your rent, cuts services, or threatens to evict you as punishment for a complaint, you can recover your losses. You can also get your attorney fees paid. You can use this as a defense (an argument that can stop the eviction) if your landlord tries to evict you. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

The law treats your landlord's action as retaliation if you complained in good faith within the last year. This applies before your landlord raises your rent, cuts services, or moves to evict you. This is called a presumption (the court treats it as true unless your landlord proves it is not). This does not apply if you complained only after your landlord already told you about the increase or cut. Your landlord can still win by proving the rent increase matches a real rise in their costs.

Your landlord cannot raise your rent or cut your services to punish you. This rule protects you in 3 situations. You reported a housing code problem that seriously affects health and safety to the government agency in charge of enforcing it. You complained to your landlord about a problem covered by the state's repair law. You started or joined a tenants' group. If your landlord breaks this rule, you can use it as a defense if your landlord tries to evict you.

Even with this protection, your landlord can still raise your rent in good faith to cover higher costs. This kind of increase must not go against your lease. Your landlord can also still try to evict you in some cases. One is if lack of reasonable care by you, someone you let into your home, or a pet mainly caused the code violation. Another is if you are behind on rent. A third is if fixing the violation would require you to move out anyway.

Kansas law bans your landlord from raising your rent to punish you in certain cases. Your landlord cannot raise your rent after you complain to a government agency about a building or housing code problem. This only counts if the problem materially (in a serious way) affects health and safety. For very bad conditions, a code inspector can condemn the home, which means everyone must leave. Your landlord also cannot raise your rent after you complain to your landlord about a repair problem covered by Kansas law. Your landlord also cannot raise your rent after you join or help start a tenants' group.

Your landlord can still raise your rent even after you complain about a code problem, a repair problem, or join a tenants' group. Kansas law allows this only if the increase does not conflict with your lease. The increase must also be made in good faith to cover a rise in the landlord's costs.

Kansas law lets your landlord raise the rent even after you complain about a problem or join a tenants' group. This is only allowed if the increase is made in good faith to cover a rise in the landlord's costs. This can include costs from a storm or other event beyond the landlord's control. It can also include higher utility (water, electric, gas) costs, a property tax increase, or another rise in the cost of running the building.

If your landlord raises your rent to punish you, you can use this as a defense in court. This applies if your landlord tries to remove you from your home through an eviction case.

If your landlord raises your rent to punish you and you go to court, Kansas law gives you options. You can end your lease instead of paying the higher rent. If a court later disagrees, you can owe the rent and face eviction. Get legal help first. You can also get money. Kansas law lets you get up to 1.5 times your rent payment, or your actual money losses, whichever is more. For example, 1.5 times a $1,000 rent payment is $1,500. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

Your landlord cannot punish you by raising your rent or cutting back services. This applies after you complain to a government agency about a building or safety code problem. The problem must seriously affect health and safety. The same rule applies if you complain to your landlord about their duty to keep your home in good repair. It also applies if you join or help start a renters' group.

Your landlord can still raise your rent after you complain or join a renters' group, if the increase does not break your current lease. The increase must be made in good faith to cover higher costs. This includes a natural disaster, higher water, electric, or gas rates, or higher property taxes.

In a Kentucky city or county that adopted the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, your landlord cannot punish you for reporting a problem. Your landlord cannot raise your rent, cut services, or try to evict you for it. This covers a complaint to a housing code agency about a problem that seriously affects health and safety. It also covers a complaint to your landlord about a repair the law requires. This also protects you if you joined a tenants' union.

In a Kentucky city or county that adopted the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, a complaint made within the past year counts. The law assumes your landlord is punishing you, unless your landlord proves otherwise. The law does not assume this if you complained after your landlord told you about a rent increase or a cut in services. The protection does not apply if you are behind on rent. It does not apply if fixing the problem means you must move out. It also does not apply if the problem came mainly from careless acts by you, someone in your household, or a guest.

In a city or county that adopted this law, your landlord cannot punish you for making certain complaints. Punishment includes raising your rent, cutting your services, or starting a court case to remove you. The rule covers a complaint to a government agency that enforces building or housing codes. The complaint must be about a problem that materially, meaning seriously, affects health and safety. The rule also covers a complaint to your landlord about a repair problem, or joining or helping start a renters' group. Doing any of these things is called retaliation. Retaliation means your landlord is punishing you for something you have a right to do, and that breaks the law here.

In a city or county that adopted this law, your landlord can try to remove you after you complain about a housing code problem. This can happen in 3 cases. Your landlord can act if the code problem was mainly caused by a lack of reasonable, or normal, care. This lack of care can be yours, another person in your household, or a guest you let into your home. Your landlord can also act if you are behind on rent. Your landlord can act if fixing the code problem takes such major work that it would force you to leave anyway.

In a city or county that adopted this law, this rule can help you if your landlord raises your rent. If you complain about a repair or safety problem and your landlord raises your rent within 1 year, the law treats it as punishment. Your landlord must then prove the increase was not punishment. This does not apply if you complained only after your landlord already told you about a planned rent increase or service cut. If your landlord takes you to court to remove you for this reason, you can raise this as your defense.

Kentucky's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act covers only places that adopted it. These include Louisville-Jefferson County, Lexington-Fayette County, Covington, and 17 other listed cities and counties. In those places, your landlord cannot evict you for up to 1 year after you make a complaint. To use this defense, you must show your landlord knew about the complaint. You must also show you are not behind on rent and that your landlord has no other valid reason to evict you.

Your landlord cannot retaliate because you complained in good faith about a building, housing, or health code problem affecting health or safety. The complaint must go to the government agency that enforces that code. Retaliation includes ending or not renewing your tenancy, raising rent, cutting required services, or bringing or threatening an eviction case. This rule has limits, for example if the code problem came mainly from your lack of reasonable care, or the tenancy ends with cause.

Your landlord cannot raise your rent to punish you for using your rights. This punishment is called retaliation. Suppose you complained in good faith about repairs, and you are current on rent. Then California law blocks a rent increase to punish you for 180 days after your complaint. You can sue a landlord who punishes you this way. If the landlord acted in bad faith, the court can add a penalty of $100 to $2,000 for each act of retaliation. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

The landlord cannot punish you for complaining. For 180 days after your complaint, the landlord cannot evict you, raise rent, or cut services because of it. You must be current on rent to use this shield.

In an eviction case, retaliation (punishment) is presumed (the court treats it as true unless your landlord proves it is not). This is so if you asserted your right to written notice of a rent increase (section 6015) in the 6 months before the case. It is also so for your right to no increase in a home not fit to live in (section 6016). The presumption (the court's starting assumption) does not apply to a case for breaking the lease or a 7-day-notice reason. An example is 7 days or more behind on rent. It does apply if you asserted your section 6026 right to repair and deduct (do a minor repair yourself and take its cost off rent).

In some eviction cases, retaliation (punishment for using your rights) is not presumed (the court does not treat it as true unless you prove it). These are cases for breaking the lease and cases for a 7-day-notice reason, such as 7 days or more behind on rent. That changes if you asserted your section 6026 right to repair and deduct (do a minor repair yourself and take its cost off rent).

In an eviction case, retaliation (punishment) is presumed (the court treats it as true unless your landlord proves it is not). This is so if the case began within 6 months after you asked in writing, in good faith, for repairs. The repairs must be required by a building, housing or sanitary (health) code, section 6021 (fit to live in) or your rental agreement. The presumption (the court's starting assumption) does not apply to a case for breaking the lease or a 7-day-notice reason. An example is 7 days or more behind on rent. It does apply if you asserted your section 6026 right to repair and deduct (do a minor repair yourself and take its cost off rent).

The retaliation rule for eviction cases has a limit. It does not apply if the case is for breaking a lease term. It does not apply to a reason that allows a 7-day notice. Examples are substantial damage you did not repair, or 7 days or more of unpaid rent. It still applies if you used Maine's repair-and-deduct rule (fixing a dangerous condition yourself and taking the cost out of your rent). That rule does not cover a building of 5 or fewer units where your landlord lives in one.

In an eviction case, retaliation (punishment) is presumed (the court treats it as true unless your landlord proves it is not). This is so if, within 6 months before the case began, you did certain things. One is asking in writing, in good faith, for repairs required by a code, section 6021 (fit to live in) or your rental agreement. The presumption (the court's starting assumption) does not apply to a case for breaking the lease or a 7-day-notice reason. An example is 7 days or more behind on rent. It does apply if you asserted your section 6026 right to repair and deduct (do a minor repair yourself and take its cost off rent).

Sometimes the retaliation presumption (the court's starting assumption that the case is punishment, unless your landlord proves otherwise) does not apply. It does not apply if the case is for breaking a lease. Nor does it apply to a reason that allows a 7-day notice, such as 7 days or more of unpaid rent. It does apply if you used Maine's repair-and-deduct rule (fixing a dangerous condition yourself and taking the cost out of your rent). That rule does not cover a building of 5 or fewer units where your landlord lives in one.

Your landlord cannot raise your rent to punish you for using your rights. This includes a good faith complaint to your landlord or a government agency that your landlord broke the lease or broke the law. It also includes a good faith complaint that a problem in your home is a serious threat to your health or safety. It also includes filing or joining a lawsuit against your landlord, or joining a tenants group. It also includes asking police or emergency workers for help at the property, if that was the only reason.

To use this protection against a rent increase meant to punish you, you must be paid up on rent when your landlord raises it. This still counts if you are legally holding back rent in a way your lease or Maryland law allows. This protection also only applies if your landlord raises your rent within 6 months after you did something protected. That includes making a complaint, joining a lawsuit or tenants group, or asking police or emergency workers for help.

If your landlord raised your rent to punish you and then tries to evict you, you can raise that as a defense in court. You can also sue your landlord directly for punishing you with the rent increase, even without an eviction case. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

If a court agrees your landlord raised your rent to punish you, the court can order your landlord to pay you money. This can be up to 3 months of rent, plus your lawyer's fees and court costs. For example, 3 months of a $1,500 rent is $4,500. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays. The court can also rule against you if you made this claim in bad faith, or without substantial justification (a good reason). Then you must pay your landlord the same amount instead.

Maryland law protects you if you complain about a serious problem in your home. You must give your landlord or a government agency written or actual notice about the problem. The notice must be a good faith complaint that the problem seriously threatens your health or safety. Because of that complaint, your landlord may not start or threaten an eviction case, unfairly raise your rent, or cut your services. Because of that complaint, your landlord may not end your rental if it has no fixed end date. This protection does not apply if your landlord's action happens more than 6 months after your complaint. You must also be paid up on rent, unless you are legally holding back rent.

Your landlord cannot punish you for reporting a problem. This includes your landlord cutting off your utilities (such as water, electric, and gas), locking you out, or interfering with your quiet enjoyment. Taking your landlord to court over this counts as reporting it too. Punishing you this way is called retaliation.

Your landlord cannot punish you for reporting a code violation, complaining to your landlord in writing, or joining a tenants' group. This is called retaliation. If this happens, a court can order your landlord to pay you up to 3 months' rent, or your actual losses, whichever is more. They may also have to pay your court costs and a lawyer's fee. For example, if your rent is $1,500 a month, 3 months' rent is $4,500.

Timing can protect you. Suppose your landlord acts within 6 months after you complain. The action can be raising your rent, changing your lease terms, or ending your rental for a reason other than unpaid rent. The law then presumes it was retaliation. Presumed means the court treats it as true unless your landlord proves it is not.

Your landlord cannot raise your rent to punish you for using your legal rights. Protected acts include reporting unsafe conditions to the local board of health and complaining to your landlord in writing. They also include going to court over housing rules and joining a tenants' union.

Timing can protect you. Suppose your landlord raises your rent or sends a notice to quit within 6 months after you do one of these protected acts. Then the court assumes your landlord acted to punish you. Your landlord can only beat this assumption with clear and convincing proof, a high legal standard, showing a real, separate reason for the increase.

If your landlord raises your rent to punish you for a protected act, your landlord owes you money. The law sets this at 1 to 3 months of rent, or your actual losses if those are greater. If your rent is $1,500 a month, that is $1,500 to $4,500. Your landlord also must pay your court costs and a reasonable lawyer's fee. You only get this money if you win your case. A lease cannot take away this right.

Your landlord cannot punish you for reporting a problem to the board of health, suing your landlord, or joining a tenants' group. Raising your rent, ending your lease, or changing your lease terms can count as punishment. If your landlord does one of these things within 6 months after you act, a court will assume it was retaliation. Your landlord must then prove it was not.

Your landlord cannot try to make you move out mainly to punish you for reporting a housing problem to a government agency. If this happens within 90 days after you report it, the law assumes it was punishment for your report. This only applies if your report was not dismissed or denied. Your landlord must then prove otherwise in court.

A court cannot give your landlord a judgment (the court's decision) to take back your home mainly to punish you. That includes punishing you for asking for your rights under your lease or the law. It includes punishing you for reporting a safety or health problem to the government. It also includes punishing you for being in a group of renters and taking part in its lawful activities.

Your landlord may raise your rent mainly to punish you. This can happen if you used your legal rights, complained about a safety or health problem, or were active in a group of renters. If not paying the higher amount becomes the main reason your landlord takes you to court, you can raise this as a defense. A Michigan judge cannot rule to evict you for that reason if you show this is true.

You may have used your legal rights, complained about a safety or health problem, or been active in a group of renters. This only counts if you took official action through a court or government agency, and it was not dismissed or denied. If that happened in the 90 days before your landlord takes you to court, Michigan law assumes your landlord is punishing you. Your landlord must then prove the rent increase or court case was not punishment. If your landlord cannot prove that, the judge will rule for you instead.

Your landlord cannot evict you, raise your lease duties, or cut services as punishment for your complaint about a problem.

If your landlord evicts you, raises your lease duties, or cuts services within 90 days of your complaint, the law assumes it was punishment. Your landlord must then prove otherwise, unless the court decides you did not complain honestly. After 90 days, you must prove it was punishment.

Your landlord cannot raise your rent as a penalty for a complaint that your landlord broke a rule. Your landlord also cannot raise any other amount your lease requires for this same reason. This complaint can come from you. It can also come from a neighborhood group that works on housing issues. Your landlord cannot evict you for this reason either. Your landlord also cannot lower your services for this reason.

If you file a complaint about a violation, the law assumes your landlord raised your rent within 90 days as a penalty. Your landlord must then prove the increase was not a penalty. This 90-day period starts on the day you file the complaint. If a court finds you did not file the complaint in good faith, this 90-day rule does not apply. After 90 days have passed, you are the one who must prove the increase was a penalty.

If your landlord takes you to court for not paying rent after a rent increase, you can defend yourself in that case. You must show the increase was a penalty for using your legal rights in good faith. You must show this if the increase was a penalty for a report you made to the government. This report must be about a health, safety, housing, or building code problem, made in good faith. You must also pay the court or your landlord the rent you owed before the increase.

It is a legal defense to eviction if your landlord's notice to quit (a letter telling you to move out) aimed to punish you. This is true even if punishing you was only part of the reason. It applies if, in good faith, you used your legal rights, like enforcing your lease, or reported a code violation to the government. If your landlord acted within 90 days after that, they must prove in court it was not to punish you.

Your landlord may not retaliate (act against you for a complaint) after you report a violation that materially affects health and safety. You report it to a government agency in charge of building or housing codes. Retaliating means raising rent, cutting services, or bringing an eviction case. An inspector can condemn a bad home and make everyone leave.

Your landlord may not retaliate (act against you for a complaint). Raising rent, cutting services, and bringing or threatening an eviction case count. The rule applies after you complain in writing to your landlord that your landlord's duties to maintain the home were not met. Those duties include keeping the home fit to live in and keeping electric, plumbing, and heating in good working order. The rule applies after you organize or join a tenant's union or similar group. Some limits apply.

If your landlord retaliates (acts against you for a complaint), you have a defense. The defense works in any action against you for possession. A defense is a reason the court should not rule against you.

If you complained within 6 months before the landlord's act, the court presumes the act was retaliation (acting against you for a complaint). Presume means the judge or jury must find it true unless evidence shows it did not happen. It does not apply if you complained after notice of a proposed rent increase or a cut in services.

Your landlord can still bring an action for possession (an eviction case) in 3 cases. First, the code violation was caused mainly by lack of reasonable care by you, your family, or others there with your consent. Second, you are in default in rent (behind on rent). Third, fixing the violation needs changes, remodeling, or demolition that would effectively take away your use of the unit.

Unless the law says otherwise, a Montana landlord may not retaliate (punish you) by raising rent. That holds after you tell a government agency about a problem. The agency must be in charge of a building or housing code. The problem must materially affect health and safety. An inspector can condemn a very bad home and make everyone leave.

Unless the law says otherwise, a Montana landlord may not retaliate (punish you) by raising rent. This applies after you complain in writing to the landlord of a violation of the landlord's duties. Those duties include making repairs to keep the home fit to live in.

Unless the law says otherwise, a Montana landlord may not retaliate (punish you) by raising rent. That applies after you organize or join a tenant's union or similar organization.

In a Montana court case, a complaint you made within 6 months before the alleged retaliation (punishment) is evidence of it. The court must find retaliation unless evidence shows the landlord did not. This rule does not apply if you made the complaint after notice of a proposed rent increase or a cut in services.

If a Montana landlord retaliates (punishes you) in the ways the law bans, you have a defense. The defense applies in any action for possession (to take back the home) that is a form of retaliation.

Suppose your landlord punishes you for a complaint or for joining a tenant group. You then have the same options as for a lockout (your landlord keeps you out) or a cut in services. You may recover possession (get the home back) or end the rental agreement. In either case you may recover an amount not more than 3 months' periodic rent or treble (3 times) your loss, whichever is greater. With $900 rent, 3 months' rent is $2,700. If a court later disagrees, you can owe the rent and face eviction. Get legal help first. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

A Montana landlord can still bring an action for possession (to take back the home) in three cases. One is a code violation caused mainly by lack of reasonable care by you, your family, or others there with your consent. Another is if you are in default in rent. The third is code work that would effectively take away your use of the home.

Except as the law says otherwise, your landlord may not retaliate (punish you) by increasing rent or decreasing services. Your landlord may not bring or threaten an action for possession (an eviction case). Among other reasons, this is true after you complain in writing to your landlord that your landlord's duties to maintain the home were not met. Those duties include keeping the home fit to live in and keeping electric, plumbing, and heating in good working order. It is true after you organize or join a tenant's union or similar organization.

In court, a complaint made within 6 months before the landlord's act raises a presumption (an assumption) of retaliation. The court must find retaliation unless the landlord offers evidence that it did not happen. This does not apply if you complained after a notice of a proposed rent increase or a cut in services.

Montana's retaliation rules do not stop an eviction case (an action for possession) in 3 situations. In the first, you, your family, or others there with your consent caused the code violation mainly by lack of reasonable care. In the second, you are in default in rent (behind on rent). In the third, following the code needs alteration (a change), remodeling, or demolition (tearing down). That work would effectively deprive (take away from) you the use of the home.

Your landlord may not retaliate (get back at you) after you report a code violation. That means raising your rent, cutting your services, or threatening an eviction case. You make the report to a government agency. The agency must enforce a minimum building or housing code. The violation must materially affect health and safety. An inspector can condemn (close) a very bad home.

Your landlord may not retaliate (get back at you) by raising rent, cutting services, or bringing or threatening an eviction case. This applies after you complain to a government agency about a code violation (a break of building or housing rules) in your home. The violation must materially (in an important way) affect health and safety. It also applies after you join a tenants' union. If your landlord does this, you have a defense in the eviction case. A defense is a legal reason the landlord should not win. Reasonable rent increases or changes in services are still allowed.

Your landlord may not raise rent, cut services, or bring an eviction case after you complain. The complaint is to a government agency about a code violation (a broken housing rule) that has a material effect on health and safety. In 3 cases your landlord may still sue. One: you or someone in your household or there with your consent caused the violation mainly by lack of reasonable care. Two: you are in default in rent (behind on rent). Three: fixing the violation needs alteration (building changes), remodeling, or demolition (tearing down) that would effectively take away your use of the home. For very bad conditions, an inspector can condemn the home (order everyone to leave).

A Nebraska landlord may not do three things after you take certain steps. The landlord may not raise your rent, cut services, or bring or threaten an eviction case (an action for possession). The steps: you complain to a government agency about a building or housing code violation that materially affects health and safety. Or you join a tenants' union. For very bad conditions, an inspector can condemn the home and make everyone leave. The law lists cases where the landlord may still act.

Say you complain to a government agency about a building or housing code violation that materially affects health and safety. After that, your Nebraska landlord may not bring an eviction case (an action for possession). The landlord may not threaten one. The same is true after you join a tenants' union. For very bad conditions, an inspector can condemn the home and make everyone leave. The law lists cases where the landlord may still act.

Say you report a violation of the building or housing code to a government agency. It materially affects health and safety. After that, your Nebraska landlord may not raise your rent or cut services. The landlord may not bring or threaten an eviction case. An inspector can condemn a home in very bad shape and make everyone leave.

Say you organize or join a tenants' union or similar group. Your Nebraska landlord then may not raise your rent, cut services, or bring or threaten an eviction case (an action for possession).

Section 76-1439 does not bar reasonable rent increases or changes in services. A landlord may make them even after you complain to a government agency about a code violation. The same is true after you join a tenants' union. For very bad conditions, an inspector can condemn the home and make everyone leave.

Nebraska law lists cases where a landlord may still bring a possession case (a court case to take back the home). This holds even after you complain to a government agency about a code violation or join a tenants' union. One case is when you are behind on rent. Another is when you, someone in your household, or someone there with your consent mainly caused the violation by lack of reasonable care. A third is when code work would take away your use of the home. For very bad conditions, an inspector can condemn the home and make everyone leave.

A Nebraska landlord may sue for possession (to take back the home) if meeting the code needs changes to the building, remodeling, or demolition. The work must effectively take away the renter's use of the home.

Your landlord may not retaliate (punish you) by raising rent, cutting services, or bringing or threatening an eviction case (an action for possession). This is so after you complain to a government agency about a code violation (a break of building or housing rules) in your home. The violation must materially (in an important way) affect health and safety. The same is true after you join a tenants' union. For very bad conditions, an inspector can condemn the home (order everyone to leave).

Your landlord may not retaliate (punish you) by raising rent, cutting services, or bringing or threatening an action for possession (an eviction case). This applies after you organize or join a tenants' union or similar organization.

Your landlord may not raise rent, cut services, or bring an eviction case after you complain. The complaint is to a government agency about a code violation (a broken housing rule) that has a material effect on health and safety. In 3 cases your landlord may still sue. One: you or someone in your household or there with your consent caused the violation mainly by lack of reasonable care. Two: you are in default in rent (behind on rent). Three: fixing the violation needs alteration (building changes), remodeling, or demolition (tearing down) that would effectively take away your use of the home. For very bad conditions, an inspector can condemn the home (order everyone to leave).

Your landlord cannot punish you for using your rights under Nevada's renter law. Your landlord cannot end your lease, refuse to renew it, raise your rent, or cut services because you complained. This applies if you complained in good faith about a building, housing, or health code problem to a government agency. It applies if you complained in good faith to your landlord about a violation of this law. The same protection applies if you took your landlord to court over a repair problem, or joined a renters' group. Your landlord can still act for a separate lawful reason allowed elsewhere in this law.

In Nevada, you can choose to report a specific crime to the police, and your landlord cannot punish you for a good faith report. That means no ending or refusing to renew your lease, raising your rent, or cutting services because of it. It helps to write down what happened and when.

Nevada law bans a rent increase used to punish you for using your legal rights as a tenant. Your landlord cannot raise your rent because you made a good faith complaint about a building, housing, or health problem to a government agency.

Your landlord cannot raise your rent to punish a complaint you made in good faith. You may have told your landlord that a rule under this law was broken, or that a crime took place.

Nevada law protects you if you already went to court about your home's condition. Your landlord cannot raise your rent because you started or defended a case about whether your home met Nevada's health and safety rules.

Nevada law protects you if you join a tenants group. Your landlord cannot raise your rent because you organized or became a member of a tenants union or a similar group. This protects you whether you started the group or simply joined one someone else started.

A rent increase does not count as punishment under Nevada law if your landlord raises the rent for a different reason. The increase is still allowed if your landlord applies it the same way to every tenant, not just you.

If your landlord raises your rent to punish you and later tries to evict you in court, you can raise this as your defense. A defense means you get to explain your side before the judge decides who wins the case.

A rent increase is presumed (the court treats it as true unless your landlord proves it is not) to be retaliation. This applies within 6 months after the landlord received notice of an alleged violation. Notice counts if the tenant mailed it, handed it over, or left it at the landlord's home. It also counts if the board, agency or authority told the landlord. The court does not presume this if it finds the tenant's report, complaint, action or organizing was mainly meant to prevent any eviction.

In some cases, a rent increase is presumed (the court treats it as true unless your landlord proves it is not) to be retaliation. For example, one is within 6 months after the landlord fixed the problem you reported. One is within 6 months after the landlord learned you started a case under RSA 540-A. One is within 6 months after the landlord found out you met with other tenants for any lawful purpose. The court does not presume this if it finds your report, case or meeting was mainly meant to stop an eviction.

The law lists events that start a 6-month period. A rent increase in that period is presumed (the court treats it as true unless your landlord proves it is not) to be retaliation. The court does not make this rule apply if it finds the tenant's report, complaint, action or organizing was primarily intended to prevent any eviction.

Retaliation is a defense to a possessory action (an eviction case) on residential property. It covers a case brought because the tenant reported a violation of RSA 540-A in good faith. The tenant must reasonably believe it is a violation. It does not apply if the tenant owes the landlord the equivalent of one week's rent or more.

Retaliation is a defense to a possessory action (an eviction case) on residential property. It covers a case brought because the tenant started an action in good faith under RSA 540-A. It covers one brought because the tenant met with other tenants for any lawful purpose. It does not apply if the tenant owes the landlord the equivalent of one week's rent or more.

The retaliation defense does not apply in cases in which the tenant owes the landlord the equivalent of one week's rent or more. The defense is to a possessory action (an eviction case) on residential property.

Unless you owe your landlord the equivalent of one week's rent or more, retaliation is a defense to an eviction case on residential property. Retaliation means a case brought in response to what you did. A defense is a legal reason to fight the case. Protected acts include, for example, reporting in good faith what you reasonably believe is a violation of RSA 540-A. Another is meeting with other tenants for any lawful purpose.

A court presumes (assumes unless shown otherwise) retaliation in some cases. Retaliation means an act in response to what you did. The landlord may start an eviction case, raise the rent, or make a big change to the terms of the tenancy (the rental). The time limit is 6 months after the landlord gets notice of a violation you reported, for example. The court does not presume retaliation if it finds your report primarily intended to prevent any eviction.

In New Hampshire, retaliation (punishing a tenant for a protected act) is a defense to an eviction case on residential property. Reporting a violation to the landlord or an inspection agency is one protected act, among others. The tenant must report the violation, or report in good faith what the tenant reasonably believes to be a violation. The defense does not apply if the tenant owes the landlord the equivalent of one week's rent or more.

In New Hampshire, a court presumes (assumes unless shown otherwise) retaliation (punishing the tenant) in some cases. This is when the landlord starts an eviction case, raises the rent, or makes a substantial change to the rental terms. It must happen within 6 months. The 6 months run from when the landlord got notice of an alleged violation, or finished repairs. The court does not presume retaliation if the tenant's report was primarily intended to prevent any eviction.

When a tenant successfully raises the retaliation defense in a New Hampshire eviction case, the court may award the tenant money. The most it may award is 3 months' rent. For example, with $1,000 rent, the most is $3,000. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

New Jersey law bans retaliation evictions. Your landlord cannot serve you a notice to quit, a letter telling you when you must leave. Your landlord also cannot start a case to remove you to punish you for using your legal rights. This protection also covers a good faith complaint to a government agency about a possible health or safety violation. It also covers being part of a lawful group or organization.

New Jersey's retaliation law does not apply if you live in a building your landlord also lives in, with 2 or fewer rental units. Mobile homes and mobile home spaces are covered.

Your landlord cannot raise your rent to punish you for using your legal rights under your lease or state law. The same protection applies if your landlord raises the rent because you are part of a tenant group. If your landlord raises the rent for either reason and you refuse to pay it, your landlord cannot evict you for that refusal. New Jersey law calls this retaliation.

Your landlord cannot try to evict you to punish you for a complaint to a government office. This covers a good faith complaint that your landlord broke a health or safety law. Before you complain to the government office, you must first tell your landlord about the problem. You must also give your landlord a reasonable time to fix it.

You may make a good faith complaint to a government office that your landlord broke a health or safety law. If your landlord makes big changes to the terms of your rental to punish you for it, your landlord cannot evict you for refusing them. Refusing to renew your lease without a good reason counts as a big change.

Your landlord may take you to court to remove you over a rent increase. If you prove the increase was retaliation for one of these reasons, the judge must decide the case for you. This decision is called a judgment (the court's final decision in your case).

Your landlord cannot raise your rent, cut your services, or try to remove you to punish you for certain actions. The protection covers actions in the last 6 months. One is complaining to a government agency about a problem that seriously affects health and safety. Another is asking in good faith for repairs in writing. It only protects you if you are following your lease and not otherwise breaking state renter law.

New Mexico law bans retaliation (punishing you for using your rights) by raising rent, cutting services, or going to court to evict you. It protects you only if you follow your rental agreement and the state renter law. It covers steps you took in the last 6 months. If a court finds your landlord did this, your landlord owes you 2 times your monthly rent. For example, 2 times $1,000 rent is $2,000. Your landlord must also pay your court costs and reasonable lawyer fees. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

Your landlord cannot raise your rent to punish you if you are following your lease and the state renter law. This protection lasts for 6 months after you complain to a government agency about a health or safety problem. It also covers asking your landlord in writing to make repairs. It covers joining or starting a group of renters, and testifying for another renter in a legal case.

Your landlord can raise your rent at the end of your lease. The new rent must be consistent with what your landlord charges other renters in similar rental units. It must not target only you. Your landlord must be able to show the increase applies the same way to other renters.

New Mexico law bans your landlord from raising your rent to punish you for using your rights as a renter. This includes reporting a housing code violation or asking your landlord in writing to make repairs. This protection covers the 6 months before the rent increase. It only applies if you are not breaking your lease or another part of this law. If your landlord raises your rent to punish you this way, your landlord must pay you money equal to 2 times your monthly rent. For example, if your rent is $900 a month, that is $1,800. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

If you follow your lease and New Mexico renter law, your landlord cannot punish you for using your rights under this law. Your landlord cannot raise your rent, cut your services, or start or threaten an eviction case because of it. New Mexico protects you for 6 months after you complain to a code agency, ask for repairs in writing, or lower your rent.

New Mexico law bans your landlord from punishing you for using your rights as a renter. This includes asking in writing for repairs or reporting a housing code problem. This protection covers the 6 months before your landlord's action. It only applies if you are not breaking your lease or another part of this law. If your landlord punishes you this way, you can use it as a defense in an eviction case against you. A landlord who does this also owes you 2 times your monthly rent. If your rent is $900 a month, 2 times that is $1,800. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

Your landlord cannot evict you or refuse to renew your lease because you complained in good faith about a health or safety violation. The same protection covers good-faith steps to enforce your rights under your lease or housing laws. The same rule bars a new lease with an unreasonable rent increase. If your landlord does this within 1 year after your complaint, the court starts by treating it as retaliation. Your landlord must then prove another reason.

Your landlord cannot use a rent increase to punish you for a good-faith complaint about repairs, code violations, or your rights. The same applies if you join a tenant group. If the raise comes within 1 year of your complaint, the court treats it as retaliation unless the landlord proves another reason. This does not cover an owner-occupied building with fewer than 4 units.

For a retaliatory (punishing you for using your rights) rent increase, a court can order the landlord to pay you money and your lawyer's fees.

Your landlord cannot punish you for complaining in good faith about conditions, calling a code office, or joining a tenant group. Punishment includes an eviction case or a notice to quit (a letter telling you to move out). It also includes not renewing your lease, or a new lease with an unreasonable rent increase. If this happens within 1 year of your complaint, the court assumes your landlord is punishing you for it, unless the landlord proves another reason. This protection does not apply to owner-occupied buildings with fewer than 4 units.

New York's protection against a landlord punishing you for your complaints does not apply in 2 cases. First, if you, someone in your household, or your guest caused the problem you complained about. Second, if your rental ended under your lease because of a real sale or transfer of the property.

If you make a good-faith complaint about repairs, report a code violation, or try to use your rights as a renter, the law protects you. Your landlord cannot evict you mostly because you did one of those things within the last 12 months. If your landlord tries anyway, you can raise retaliation as a defense in your case.

You can make a good faith complaint to your landlord asking for repairs. If your landlord later tries to evict you in court mainly because of that complaint, you can raise a defense. North Carolina law allows this defense. It only works if the complaint happened within the 12 months before the eviction case was filed.

You may ask your landlord for repairs in good faith, or report a code problem to a government agency. If your landlord tries to evict you within the next 12 months, you can tell the court your landlord is punishing you. This does not apply if you did not pay rent or broke another important part of your lease.

Your landlord cannot raise your rent to punish you. This is called retaliation. It is illegal if you complained to a government agency about a code problem affecting health and safety. It is also illegal if you complained to your landlord that they did not make repairs or keep the home safe. It is illegal too if you joined with other renters to negotiate with the landlord together.

Your landlord can still raise your rent to pay for home improvements or higher running costs. This is true even after you complain about a problem.

If your landlord raises your rent to punish you, you have options under Ohio law. You can point to this as a reason your landlord should not win an eviction case. You can also get the home back if you already lost it. You can end your lease instead of paying the higher rent. In court, you can ask for money to cover your losses and your lawyer's costs.

Your landlord cannot raise your rent, cut services, or try to evict you because you complained about repairs. This is true whether you complained to your landlord or to a government agency. Your landlord also cannot punish you for joining with other tenants to deal with your landlord as a group.

Your landlord cannot punish you for complaining to a government agency about a housing or safety problem. This means your landlord cannot file an eviction case, raise your rent, or cut your services because of your complaint. This protection only applies if the problem affects health and safety. You can raise this as a defense at your hearing. This defense does not protect you if you are behind on rent.

Ohio law bans your landlord from punishing you for standing up for your rights. Your landlord cannot raise your rent, cut your services, or bring an eviction case to punish you. This applies if you complained to a local agency about a building, housing, health, or safety code problem. The problem must seriously affect your health and safety. It also applies if you complained to your landlord that it broke its legal duties. It also applies if you joined other renters to deal with your landlord.

If your landlord raises your rent, cuts your services, or brings an eviction case to punish you, you have options. You can use it as a defense in the eviction case. You can get your home back, or end your lease. You can also ask for money for your losses, plus reasonable attorney's fees. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

Your landlord cannot raise your rent or cut your services to punish you for making certain complaints or using your legal rights. Your landlord cannot give you a notice to end your rental agreement, or try to evict you, for the same reasons. Protected reasons include telling a government agency about a building, health, or housing code problem that seriously affects health or safety. Telling your landlord in writing that you plan to make this complaint is also protected. Another protected reason is making a good-faith complaint about your rental agreement directly to your landlord. Oregon law also protects you if you take any other action to assert or protect a legal right under federal, state, or local law.

Oregon law bars your landlord from raising your rent to punish you for using your legal rights. One protected action is making a good-faith (honest) complaint to your landlord about your rental. The law lists several other protected actions too.

Your landlord cannot raise your rent or cut your services because you took a protected action. Your landlord also cannot give you a notice to end your rental agreement, or start a court case to evict you, for that reason. Protected actions include a good faith complaint to your landlord about your rental. They also include a complaint to a government agency about a building, health, or housing code problem that seriously affects health or safety. Other protected actions include joining a tenants' union and testifying against your landlord in a legal case.

Pennsylvania has no general state law against landlord retaliation (punishment for using your legal rights). One example of retaliation is a sudden rent increase right after a repair complaint or code violation. Specific laws still protect you, and some cities ban retaliation fully. Save the increase notice and the dates of your complaints, and you can file a complaint with the city or county's Fair Housing Commission.

The law protects you when you pay the bill this way. A landlord who threatens you or punishes you for it owes you money. The amount is 2 months of rent or your actual losses, whichever is more: 2 months of $1,000 rent is $2,000. The landlord may also have to pay your court costs and lawyer fees.

Pennsylvania has no statewide law that stops a landlord from punishing you for asking for repairs or reporting code violations. Some cities do protect you. Philadelphia, for example, bans a landlord from acting against a tenant for filing a complaint or for using a legal right. Check your city's guide for local protection.

Philadelphia's Fair Housing Commission ordinance protects you. Your landlord cannot raise your rent or shut off your utilities (such as water, electric, and gas) to punish you. Your landlord also cannot try to evict you for joining a tenant group or filing a complaint about code violations. Pennsylvania has no statewide law like this. This protection is Philadelphia's own rule.

Pennsylvania has no general state law against retaliation (punishing you for using a legal right). Philadelphia's ordinance bans it. Your landlord cannot raise your rent or change your lease to punish you for a code complaint or for joining a tenant group. This also covers using any other legal right.

Allegheny County, which includes Pittsburgh, bans landlord retaliation. Your landlord cannot end your lease, refuse to renew it, or change it because you asked for repairs. The same applies if you file a code complaint, legally hold back rent, join a tenant group, or talk to the media about conditions.

In an eviction case, you must first show you did one of these within one year before your landlord filed the case. Then your landlord must prove it was not retaliation, with clear and convincing evidence (very strong proof). Your landlord can still overcome this if the judge finds any of these. You held back rent or failed to pay rent without a good reason. You caused significant damage to the home on purpose or through neglect. You caused significant harm to other tenants or to the property's safety or finances.

Allegheny County Chapter 885, signed into law on March 27, 2026, can help you in an eviction case your landlord files. First, you must show it is more likely than not that you did a protected tenant activity within 1 year before the eviction filing. A protected tenant activity is a lawful step toward healthy and safe housing, like asking for repairs. Then your landlord must prove with clear and convincing evidence (strong, clear proof) that it did not retaliate (punish you for it).

Allegheny County's retaliation ordinance protects specific tenant actions. Protected rights include asking for repairs and filing a complaint with a government agency. They also include joining or forming a tenant group, and speaking to the news media about your home's condition. This list is not everything the law covers.

Allegheny County's retaliation defense has limits. A court finding that you did not pay rent without a good reason overcomes it. So does a finding that you caused serious damage on purpose or by carelessness. So does a finding that you seriously harmed other tenants or the property. A lease violation your landlord knew about and did not enforce against any tenant is not always enough to overcome it.

Pittsburgh's fair housing rule also bans retaliation (punishing you for speaking up). Your landlord cannot treat you badly because you spoke out against unfair treatment the rule bans. The same protection applies if you filed a complaint. It also applies if you gave a statement or helped with a case in any way.

Allegheny County's ordinance protects renters who take legal steps toward safe and healthy housing. One such step is filing a complaint with a government agency. This includes an agency that handles building, housing, health, or consumer protection rules. Your landlord cannot end your lease because you did this. Your landlord also cannot refuse to renew your lease or change its terms for this reason. This is called retaliation (punishing you for taking one of those steps), and the ordinance bans it.

Allegheny County passed its own anti-retaliation ordinance (a law against punishing renters for using their rights) in 2026. Under this ordinance, your landlord cannot punish you for using your rights. It covers you whether you have a written or an oral lease.

The ordinance says what counts as retaliation. It includes ending your lease, refusing to renew it, or changing a lease term, such as your rent, because you took a protected action. A protected action is a lawful step toward safe and healthy housing. Examples include asking for repairs, filing a complaint with a housing or health agency, or joining a tenants' group.

If your landlord sues to evict you, the ordinance can help. You must first show you took a protected action within one year before your landlord filed the case. Then your landlord must prove with clear and convincing evidence (very strong proof) that they did not punish you for using your rights.

Your landlord can still overcome this protection if the judge finds you did one of these things. You held back rent or failed to pay it without a good reason. You caused serious damage to the home on purpose or through neglect. Or you caused serious harm to other tenants, or to the property's safety or finances. A lease rule you broke that your landlord knew about but never enforced may not be enough.

Pennsylvania law protects your right to organize with other renters (join or help run a tenants' group). Your landlord cannot end your lease or refuse to renew it because you or a family member joined one.

A landlord may not get back at you by raising rent, cutting services, or bringing or threatening an eviction case (an action for possession). The law lists cases where the landlord may still act. The bar applies if you complained to the landlord that they broke a repair duty, such as keeping electric, plumbing, and heating in working order. It also applies if you joined a tenants' union or similar organization.

If your landlord gets back at you, you have a defense in an eviction case (an action for possession) against you. Suppose you complained within 6 months before the landlord's act. That creates a presumption (the court assumes the landlord got back at you unless evidence that it did not is introduced). The court makes no such assumption if you complained after notice of a proposed rent increase or less service.

A landlord may not get back at you by raising your rent for certain reasons. The law lists cases where the landlord may still act. One reason is a complaint to a government agency about a code violation that materially affects health and safety. Another is a complaint to the landlord that they broke a repair duty, such as keeping electric, plumbing, and heating in working order. Joining a tenants' union or similar group is a reason. Using any other lawful rights is a reason too.

Suppose you complain, and then your landlord raises your rent. If you complained in the 6 months before the increase, the court must find the increase was getting back at you. That holds unless evidence that it was not is introduced. The court makes no such assumption if you complained after notice of a proposed rent increase.

Rhode Island law says your landlord may not get back at you. That means raising rent, cutting services, or bringing or threatening an eviction case (an action for possession). Reasons it protects include a complaint to a housing code agency about a violation materially affecting health and safety, and joining a tenants' union. If your landlord does it anyway, you have a defense in an eviction case against you. The law lists cases where a landlord may still act. One is when you owe rent.

A landlord may still bring an action for possession (a case to take back the home) in 3 cases. One is when a code violation was caused mainly by lack of reasonable care. This covers you, a family member, or another person in the home with your consent. Another is when you are in default in rent (behind on rent). The third is when code work or other public action, such as eminent domain, needs changes or demolition. This must effectively take away your use of the home. The town or city must have met the relocation requirements.

Rhode Island law bars a landlord from retaliating (getting back at you). The landlord may not raise rent, cut services, or bring or threaten an action for possession (an eviction case). The law lists cases where the landlord may still act. The bar applies in four cases. The first is a complaint to a government agency that enforces building or housing codes, about a violation materially affecting health and safety. The second is a complaint to the landlord that they broke a repair duty, such as keeping electric, plumbing, and heating in working order. The third is joining a tenants' union or similar organization. The fourth is using any other lawful rights.

Rhode Island law lets a landlord bring an action for possession (an eviction case) in three situations despite the retaliation rule. The first is when the tenant, a family member, or another person on the property with consent mainly caused the code violation. The cause must be lack of reasonable care. The second is when the tenant is in default in rent (behind on rent). The third is when complying with the code or other public action requires alteration (change), remodeling, or demolition (tearing down). That work must effectively take away the tenant's use of the home. The city or town must have met the relocation requirements.

Your landlord may not raise your rent to get back at you after you file a complaint. This also applies if you otherwise stand up for your rights as a renter.

Your landlord usually cannot raise your rent above fair market value (what similar homes rent for nearby) because you complained. Your landlord also cannot cut your utilities (water, electric, gas) or other basic services for that reason. Your landlord also cannot file an eviction case against you for that reason. This protection applies if you complained to a government agency about a building or housing code problem that seriously affects health and safety. It also applies if you complained to your landlord about a violation of South Carolina's landlord-tenant law. This protection does not always apply.

There are three situations where your landlord can still file to evict you after your housing complaint. First, your landlord can still file to evict you if you, your family, or your guests mainly caused the code problem through carelessness. Second, your landlord can still file to evict you if you seriously broke your lease or your duties as a tenant. Third, your landlord can still file if fixing the problem needs major changes that would stop you from using the home.

South Carolina protects you from landlord retaliation (your landlord punishing you) for complaining about your home. You can use this retaliation protection as a defense in your eviction case. Your landlord will serve you with a court order called a Rule to Vacate or Show Cause. It tells you to move out or explain to the court why not. You must tell your landlord in writing within 10 days after you get that order that you plan to use this defense. After you file your written answer with the court, the court will schedule your hearing as soon as it can.

South Carolina law bans your landlord from retaliation (punishing you for complaining). You might complain to a government agency about a housing code problem that seriously affects health or safety. If conditions are very bad, an inspector can condemn the home (order everyone to leave). After that complaint, your landlord cannot raise your rent above fair-market value (usual rent for a similar home). Your landlord cannot cut essential services (water, electric, gas) either. Your landlord cannot try to evict you because of that complaint. Your landlord can still file to evict you if the problem was mostly your fault or you seriously broke the lease. The same is true if fixing the problem means you must move out anyway.

South Carolina bans retaliation (punishing you for complaining) when you tell your landlord that your landlord broke this law. After that complaint, your landlord cannot raise your rent above fair-market value (the usual rent for a similar home). Your landlord cannot cut essential services (water, electric, gas) either. Your landlord cannot try to evict you because of that complaint. This does not apply if the problem was mostly your fault or you broke the lease in a serious way. It also does not apply if fixing the problem means you must move out anyway.

Some landlords can raise rent without it counting as retaliation (punishment for complaining). This applies if your landlord rents out more than 4 homes next to each other on the same property. The higher rent must apply the same way to every renter there. Or, the new rent must not go above fair-market value (the usual rent for a similar home).

Your landlord might take you to court to evict you. If you believe this is punishment for a complaint you made, you can raise it as a defense. You must tell your landlord in writing that you plan to use this defense. You have 10 days to do this after you are served the Rule to Vacate or Show Cause. This is the court paper that starts the eviction case. After you file your written answer, the court will hear your case as soon as it can.

You may raise a defense in your eviction case. This defense says your landlord is retaliating (punishing you for complaining). If a judge decides this defense has no merit (no real legal basis), you must pay your landlord's attorney's fees. Attorney's fees means your landlord's lawyer costs.

You may raise a defense in your eviction case, saying your landlord is retaliating (punishing you for complaining). A judge might decide you raised this defense in bad faith. Bad faith means you did not honestly believe it. If so, you must pay your landlord up to 3 months of rent. Or, you must pay 3 times your landlord's actual money losses, whichever is more. For example, 3 months of $1,000 rent is $3,000. 3 times $500 in losses is $1,500.

Your landlord might refuse to renew your lease to punish you for a complaint. If you are not behind on rent, special protections apply. You must prove your landlord broke the law, knew about it, and knew about your complaint before your lease ended. Your landlord cannot raise your rent above fair-market value (the usual rent for a similar home). Your landlord cannot cut essential services (water, electric, gas) either. Your landlord cannot take back the home for 75 days.

South Carolina gives extra protection if your landlord refuses to renew your lease to punish you for a complaint. To get this protection, you must prove three things. Your landlord broke South Carolina's landlord-tenant law. Your landlord knew about that problem. Your landlord knew about your complaint before your lease ended.

If your landlord retaliates against you (punishes you for complaining), a court can award you money. You can get up to 3 months of rent. Or, you can get 3 times your actual money losses, whichever is more. You can also get attorney's fees. Attorney's fees means your landlord pays your lawyer costs. For example, 3 months of $1,000 rent is $3,000. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

Your landlord usually cannot raise your rent above fair market value (what nearby homes rent for) because you complained about a code problem. For the same reason, your landlord cannot cut essential services or try to evict you in court. This applies if you complained to a government agency about a building or housing code problem that seriously affects health and safety. It also applies if you complained to your landlord about a violation of South Carolina's renter law. This protection does not always apply.

There are three situations where your landlord can still file to evict you after your housing complaint. First, your landlord can still file to evict you if you, your family, or your guests mainly caused the code problem through carelessness. Second, your landlord can still file to evict you if you seriously broke your lease or your duties as a tenant. Third, your landlord can still file if fixing the problem needs major changes that would stop you from using the home.

Your landlord can still try to evict you after you complained, but only for specific reasons. Your landlord can evict you if the code problem was mainly caused by a lack of reasonable care by you, your family, or guests. Your landlord can also evict you if you broke an important part of your lease or the state's renter law in another way. Your landlord can also evict you if fixing the code problem would legally require rebuilding or tearing down part of your home. This would take away your use of your home.

A South Dakota tenant of residential property may have a cause of action (a right to bring a case) for retaliation. One kind is when the landlord raises rent above fair market value. Another is when the landlord cuts electric, gas, water, or sewer services. A third is when the landlord gives notice to vacate (leave) that is not based on a breach of the lease. Each applies only after a special event, such as the tenant joining a tenant's union.

In South Dakota, a retaliation case against a landlord needs a special event first. One is the tenant giving the landlord written notice of a condition requiring repair under SDCL 43-32-9. Another is the tenant joining a tenant's union or organization.

A South Dakota tenant can start a retaliation case after complaining to the agency in charge of building or housing codes. The code problem must materially affect health and safety. The landlord must get written notice of the complaint. The complaint must be found to be made in good faith.

In South Dakota, a landlord has a defense (a reason to win) to a retaliation case (getting back at a renter). The defense is that the notice to vacate (leave) came more than 180 days after a special event. The special events are these. Your landlord gets written notice that you complained to a government agency about a building or housing code violation. The violation must materially affect health and safety. The complaint must be found to be in good faith. Or you give your landlord written notice of a repair needed. Or you organize or join a tenant's union. Not renewing a written lease before or when it ends is not retaliation.

In South Dakota, a landlord of residential property, including a mobile home community owner, can be sued for retaliation (getting back at a renter). Raising rent above fair market value can be retaliation. So can cutting electric, gas, water, or sewer service. It counts only after a special event. The special events are these. Your landlord gets written notice that you complained to a government agency about a building or housing code violation. The violation must materially affect health and safety. The complaint must be found to be in good faith. Or you give your landlord written notice of a repair needed. Or you organize or join a tenant's union.

A South Dakota renter of a residential home can sue a landlord for retaliation (getting back at a renter). This applies if the landlord gives a notice to vacate (leave) that is not based on a breach of the lease. It counts only after a special event. The special events are these. Your landlord gets written notice that you complained to a government agency about a building or housing code violation. The violation must materially affect health and safety. The complaint must be found to be in good faith. Or you give your landlord written notice of a repair needed. Or you organize or join a tenant's union.

In South Dakota, a renter can sue a landlord for retaliation (getting back at a renter) only after a special event. The special events are these. Your landlord gets written notice that you complained to a government agency about a building or housing code violation. The violation must materially affect health and safety. The complaint must be found to be in good faith. Or you give your landlord written notice of a repair needed. Or you organize or join a tenant's union. After one, raising rent above fair market value can be retaliation. So can cutting electric, gas, water, or sewer service. So can a notice to vacate (leave) not based on a lease breach.

A landlord has a defense to a South Dakota retaliation claim (getting back at a renter). The defense is that the notice to vacate (leave) came more than 180 days after a special event. The special events are these. Your landlord gets written notice that you complained to a government agency about a building or housing code violation. The violation must materially affect health and safety. The complaint must be found to be in good faith. Or you give your landlord written notice of a repair needed. Or you organize or join a tenant's union.

In South Dakota, raising your rent above fair market value can be retaliation (punishing you). It counts if the landlord did it after one of three events. One: you gave written notice of a repair needed under SDCL 43-32-9. It covers repairs the landlord ought to make to keep the home fit to live in. Two: the landlord got written notice from you or an agency that you made a complaint to a government agency. It must be about a building or housing code violation (a break of building rules) that materially (in a real way) affects health and safety. It must be found to be in good faith. Three: you organized or joined a tenant's union or organization.

A rent increase above fair market value can lead to a retaliation claim in South Dakota. This is so after you give your landlord written notice of a condition requiring repair under SDCL 43-32-9. It is also so after you organize or join a tenant's union or organization.

In a South Dakota retaliation case, the renter may get money the landlord must pay. That is an amount equal to 2 months rent. The renter also gets back any advance rent and deposit paid. With $800 rent, 2 months rent is $1,600. The court may award reasonable and customary attorney's fees. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

Your landlord may not punish you for asking for repairs or for calling code enforcement in good faith. The protection lasts 6 months from your notice or complaint. In that time the landlord may not evict you, raise your rent, or end your lease because of it. The landlord also may not cut services or block your use of the home. The landlord can still evict you for unpaid rent, damage you caused, or staying after the lease ends. If a court finds retaliation, the landlord owes you 1 month's rent plus $500, your losses, court costs, and attorney's fees.

Your landlord may not evict you to punish you for asking for repairs, complaining to a code or housing agency, or joining a tenant group. This protection lasts 6 months after you act. Retaliation is a defense in an eviction case, but not when the case is for unpaid rent. If a court finds retaliation, the landlord owes you 1 month's rent plus $500, plus other losses. With $1,000 rent, that penalty is $1,500. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

Texas Property Code § 92.331 protects you for 6 months. In that time your landlord may not end the lease, file an eviction, cut services, or raise rent because of your complaint. If they do, you can sue for 1 month's rent plus $500, your losses, moving costs, and lawyer fees. The landlord can still evict you for not paying rent or for breaking the lease. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

Your landlord may not raise your rent as punishment. Property Code § 92.331 protects you for 6 months after you take a protected action. Protected actions include asking for repairs in good faith. They also include a good-faith complaint to a government agency or utility (water, electric, gas) about a code or utility problem. Joining a tenant group is protected too. During those 6 months, a rent increase, ending your lease, or an eviction because of your action counts as retaliation (punishment for using your rights). The 6 months start on the day you take the action.

Not every increase in those 6 months is retaliation. Your landlord can defend an increase by showing it was not a punishment. An increase that applies to every unit in the building is the main example. An increase your lease already allows is another. The landlord has to prove this in court.

A Utah landlord may not evict you or punish you for reasonable requests for help from a public safety agency. The law says that can mean, for example, a government body that gives fire or medical help.

A Vermont landlord may not retaliate (get back at you) by setting or changing the terms of your rental agreement. A Vermont landlord may not bring or threaten a court case to get back at you.

In Vermont, a landlord may not retaliate (get back at you) if you reported a building, housing or health violation to a government agency. The violation must be at your home. It must materially (seriously) affect health and safety.

In Vermont, a landlord may not retaliate (get back at you) if you complained to the landlord of a violation of Vermont's rental housing law.

In Vermont, a landlord may not retaliate (get back at you) if you organized or became a member of a tenant's union or similar organization.

A Vermont landlord may not punish a tenant by changing the terms of a rental agreement. A landlord may not bring or threaten to bring an action against the tenant. The tenant must have made a complaint or joined a tenant group of the kinds the law lists.

Vermont law protects a tenant from retaliation (getting back at the tenant) in three cases. One is a complaint to a government agency about a violation of a building, housing or health rule. The violation must be at the home. It must materially affect health and safety. Another is a complaint to the landlord of a violation of Vermont's rental housing law. The third is organizing or joining a tenant's union or similar organization.

Say a Vermont landlord breaks the law against punishing a tenant for a complaint. The tenant is entitled to recover money and reasonable attorney's fees. The tenant also has a defense in any case the landlord brings to punish the tenant and win back the home. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

A Vermont landlord may not retaliate (get back at you) by setting or changing terms of a rental agreement. The same goes for bringing or threatening a court case. It protects a tenant who told a government agency about a violation of a building, housing or health rule. The violation must materially affect health and safety. It covers a tenant who complained to the landlord of a violation of Vermont's rental housing law. It covers a tenant who organized or became a member of a tenant's union or similar organization.

If a Vermont landlord breaks the rule against retaliation (getting back at a tenant), the tenant may win money and reasonable attorney's fees. The tenant also has a defense (a legal answer) if the landlord goes to court to get the home back. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

Suppose a Vermont landlord gives notice to end a rental for a reason other than unpaid rent. Suppose it comes within 90 days after a city or state agency says the home breaks health or safety rules. The law presumes (assumes) the landlord is punishing the tenant for reporting the problem. The landlord can try to prove otherwise.

Your landlord cannot raise your rent to punish you. This rule applies if you told a government agency about a housing code problem that seriously affects health or safety. It also applies if you made a complaint to your landlord about this law, or sued your landlord over it. It also applies if you joined or started a renters' group, or testified in court against your landlord. Your landlord can still raise rent to what similar rentals charge. Your landlord can also cut a service if the cut applies equally to all tenants.

Your landlord can still raise your rent even if you recently complained about a problem, joined a renters' group, or went to court. This is allowed if the new rent matches what similar homes nearby charge.

If your landlord raises your rent to punish you, you can point this out in court if your landlord later tries to evict you. You may also get back money for what the higher rent cost you. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

If you say your landlord raised your rent to punish you, you must prove it. Virginia law puts this duty, called the burden of proof, on you and not on your landlord.

Your landlord cannot start an eviction case to punish you for using your rights. This includes reporting a housing code problem that seriously affects your health or safety. It also includes raising a landlord-tenant law problem, joining a tenant group, or testifying against your landlord in court. If your landlord does this anyway, you can raise it as a defense in your eviction case. This defense usually will not work if you are already behind on rent or you caused the safety problem yourself. You are the one who must prove your landlord's real reason was punishment.

Your landlord cannot raise your rent, cut services, or try to evict you to punish you. This rule applies if you report a housing code problem that seriously affects health or safety to a government agency. It also applies if you complain to your landlord or sue your landlord for breaking this law. Joining a tenants' group or testifying in court against your landlord counts too. Your landlord can still raise rent to what similar rentals charge. Your landlord can also cut a service if the cut applies equally to all tenants. One caution: if conditions are very bad, an inspector can condemn the home (order everyone to leave).

Suppose your landlord tries to evict you within 90 days after a good-faith, lawful act. That can be a complaint to a government agency about unsafe conditions, or using landlord-tenant rights. This applies only while you follow the landlord-tenant law. The law starts by treating it as retaliation. This reverses if you are behind on rent or breaking your lease when your landlord gives notice ending your rental. Then you must prove retaliation. Otherwise, your landlord can overcome the starting point by showing repairs are not practical while you stay.

Your landlord cannot punish you for reporting unsafe conditions to a government agency or for using your rights under the landlord-tenant law. Punishing you for this is called retaliation. This protection applies as long as you are following the landlord-tenant law. If your landlord raises your rent, cuts services, or tries to evict you within 90 days of your report, the law assumes retaliation. Your landlord can avoid this by proving there was a different, honest reason.

As long as you follow the landlord-tenant law, you are protected for good-faith complaints about unsafe conditions to a government agency. Using your tenant rights is protected too. If your landlord then acts against you within 90 days, the law assumes it is punishment for using your rights. This does not apply to a rent increase whose notice gives reasonable grounds. It also does not apply to a notice ending your rental while you are behind on rent or breaking another lease term. Then the law assumes it is not punishment. You must prove it was.

Timing also matters for retaliation claims. Suppose your landlord gives notice of a proposed rent increase, or takes another step in good faith. If you complain to a government agency within 90 days after that, the law assumes your complaint was not in good faith. For an eviction, your landlord can also show that repairs are not practical while you stay.

If you win a retaliation claim, you can get back your costs, including a lawyer's fee. If your landlord wins, your landlord can get back their costs, including a lawyer's fee. Neither side can get back lawyer's fees for legal help they got for free.

Your landlord cannot raise your rent to punish you for a good-faith, lawful act. That means a complaint to a government agency about unsafe conditions, or using your rights under the landlord-tenant law. This protection applies only while you follow the landlord-tenant law yourself. If your landlord raises your rent within 90 days after that act, the law starts by treating it as retaliation. The law does not start there if the notice states reasonable grounds. Your landlord still cannot raise your rent to punish you.

In DC, a landlord may not take retaliatory action (punish you) against a tenant who uses a legal right. Retaliatory action may include a move to harass (bother) the tenant or violate the tenant's privacy.

In DC, a court presumes (assumes) that an action by a landlord is retaliation. The landlord must come forward with clear and convincing evidence that it is not. This holds when the tenant acted in the 6 months before the landlord did. The tenant may have made a witnessed oral or written repair request. The tenant may have contacted District officials about housing violations, among other listed acts.

DC law bars retaliatory action (punishing a tenant for using a legal right) by a housing provider. Retaliatory action may include an action that would unlawfully increase rent. Suppose your landlord acts within 6 months after you took certain steps. The action is presumed (the court treats it as true unless your landlord proves it is not) to be retaliation. Your landlord must show clear and convincing evidence. One step is a witnessed oral or written request for needed repairs. Others include a witnessed oral or a written report of violations to city officials, joining a tenant group, or suing your landlord.

No DC landlord may take retaliatory action (action against a tenant who uses a right under the housing law or any other law). Retaliatory action may include a case to recover a rental unit that the law does not otherwise permit.

A DC court presumes (assumes) retaliation if, within the 6 months before the landlord's action, the tenant did a listed thing. The court rules for the tenant unless the landlord shows clear and convincing evidence otherwise. A listed thing is, for example, a witnessed oral or written repair request, or legal action against the landlord.

In Washington, DC, your landlord must not punish you for using a right you have under the DC rental housing law or any other law. The law lists an unlawful rent increase, a cut in services, and a refusal to renew your lease as examples of punishment.

In Washington, DC, suppose your landlord acts against you within 6 months after you ask for repairs. The action is presumed (the court treats it as true unless your landlord proves it is not) to be retaliation. Your landlord must show clear and convincing evidence. The request must be oral in front of a witness, or in writing. It must ask for repairs needed to meet the housing regulations. Keep a dated copy and photos.

In Washington, DC, suppose your landlord acts against you within 6 months after your repair request. The court says the action is presumed (the court treats it as true unless your landlord proves it is not) to be punishment. The landlord needs clear and convincing evidence. The request must be in writing or in front of a witness. It must ask for repairs needed to meet the housing regulations.

In Washington, DC, suppose your landlord acts against you within 6 months after you took certain steps. The court says the action is presumed (the court treats it as true unless your landlord proves it is not) to be punishment. One step is telling District officials about housing violations, in writing or in front of a witness. Another is bringing legal action against your landlord.

In Washington, DC, suppose your landlord acts against you within 6 months after you legally held back rent. The action is presumed (the court treats it as true unless your landlord proves it is not) to be retaliation. Your landlord must show clear and convincing evidence. You must first have given reasonable notice of a housing violation, in writing or in front of a witness. Only rent held back legally counts. Holding back rent is risky. If a court later disagrees, you can owe the rent and face eviction. Get legal help first.

Your landlord cannot raise your rent to punish you for using your rights as a renter. Wisconsin law bans a rent increase if the real reason is retaliation for a good faith complaint about a problem in your home. That complaint can go to a public official, a local code office, or your landlord about a repair or code problem. The same protection covers you if you used any other legal right you have as a renter.

Wisconsin's rule against retaliation does not cover every complaint. If the problem you complained about was caused by you, not your landlord, a rent increase that follows is still allowed under this rule.

Not paying only a rent increase that was retaliation (meant to punish you) is not a valid reason for your landlord to evict you. Your landlord can still evict you for any other unpaid rent, including rent you owed before the increase.

A lease rule does not count if it lets your landlord raise rent because you contacted law enforcement, health, or safety services. Wisconsin law says a court will not enforce that kind of lease rule, even if it is written into your lease.

Your landlord cannot punish you for using your rights as a renter. This is called retaliation. If your landlord punishes you this way, your landlord cannot raise your rent or cut your services. Your landlord also cannot try to evict you or refuse to renew your lease. Your landlord cannot threaten to do any of these things either.

You are protected if you make a good faith complaint (an honest complaint, not just to cause trouble) about a problem in your home. This includes complaining to a city official or a local housing code office, or complaining to your landlord directly. You are also protected when you use any other legal right you have as a renter. This protection applies only if the evidence shows your landlord would not have acted this way without that reason.

Wisconsin's rule against landlord retaliation has limits. Your landlord can still file an eviction case if you have not paid rent. This is allowed unless the case is really about a rent increase that broke the rule. The rule also does not cover a complaint about a problem you caused by carelessness or misuse.