Tenant law in plain language
Alaska

Landlord Won't Make Repairs in Alaska: What Can I Do?

Published by Nazanin · October 3, 2026

This page covers what an Alaska landlord must keep in working order and the steps you can take if repairs are not made. It also covers what a court can do and when a landlord may not punish you for asking. Some steps carry risk, so read each one before you act.

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Not legal advice. Each answer below links to where it comes from. Read it before you act.

  1. Your landlord must make all repairs. The landlord must also do whatever is necessary to put and keep your home in a condition fit to live in.

    Alaska Legislature AS 34.03.100(a)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  2. In a one- or two-family home, you and your landlord may agree in writing that you do specified repairs and maintenance tasks. The deal must be made in good faith. It cannot be made for the purpose of evading (getting around) the landlord's duties.

    Alaska Legislature AS 34.03.100(c)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  3. For problems with running water, hot water, heat, or other essential services, give your landlord written notice. The notice must say what the breach (broken duty) is. Your rights under this rule start only after you give written notice. You have no such rights if a deliberate or negligent (careless) act or omission (failure to act) caused the problem. This covers acts of you, your family, or a person there with your consent.

    Alaska Legislature AS 34.03.180(a)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  4. Keep a copy of every letter you send your landlord. Take dated photos of the problem. Write down each time you ask for a repair.

    RenterLaw editorial

  5. If your landlord deliberately or negligently (carelessly) fails to supply essential services such as heat or running water, give written notice. You may then buy reasonable amounts of the service yourself. You may take its actual and reasonable cost off your rent. If a court later disagrees, you can owe the rent and face eviction. Get legal help first.

    RenterLaw editorial Alaska Legislature AS 34.03.180(a)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  6. If your landlord deliberately or negligently (carelessly) fails to supply essential services such as heat or running water, give written notice. You may then get reasonable substitute housing. You are excused from paying rent for the time the landlord does not follow the law. If a court later disagrees, you can owe the rent and face eviction. Get legal help first.

    RenterLaw editorial Alaska Legislature AS 34.03.180(a)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  7. If your landlord deliberately or negligently (carelessly) fails to supply essential services such as heat or running water, give written notice. You may then ask a court for money based on how much less your home is worth to rent. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

    RenterLaw editorial Alaska Legislature AS 34.03.180(a)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  8. You may give your landlord a written notice if the landlord materially fails to follow the rental agreement. You may do the same if the landlord fails to follow AS 34.03.100 in a way that materially affects health and safety. The notice must say what is wrong. It must say the rental agreement ends on a date at least 20 days after your landlord gets it. This happens only if the problem is not fixed in 10 days. If a court later disagrees, you can owe the rent and face eviction. Get legal help first.

    RenterLaw editorial Alaska Legislature AS 34.03.160(a)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  9. If your landlord fixes the breach before the date in your notice, the rental agreement does not end. This applies if repairs, payment, or other steps can fix the breach.

    Alaska Legislature AS 34.03.160(a)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  10. You may not end the rental agreement over a condition caused by a deliberate or negligent (careless) act or omission (failure to act). The same is true if your family or a person there with your consent caused it.

    Alaska Legislature AS 34.03.160(a)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  11. You may sue for money for any failure by your landlord to follow the rental agreement or AS 34.03.100. This rule applies unless other parts of Alaska's landlord and tenant law say otherwise. You may also ask the court to order the landlord to act or stop. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

    RenterLaw editorial Alaska Legislature AS 34.03.160(b)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  12. Your landlord may start a court case over rent you did not pay. You may then counterclaim (make your own claim against the landlord). You may claim any amount you can recover under the rental agreement or Alaska's landlord and tenant law. The court then decides whether the evidence supports your defense. If so, it may order the rent cut to reflect how much less your home was worth during the problem.

    Alaska Legislature AS 34.03.190(a)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  13. 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.

    Alaska Legislature AS 34.03.310(a)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

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