Landlord Retaliation Laws by State
Landlord retaliation happens when a landlord punishes a tenant for exercising a legal right. Common examples are raising the rent, cutting services, refusing to renew a lease or starting an eviction soon after the tenant complained about the condition of the unit. Many state statutes bar this conduct and give tenants a defense in an eviction case or a claim for damages.
47 states and DC compared. Last checked .
At a glance
- Retaliation banned by statute
- 45 of 48
- States and DC where the answer is yes or yes in some cases.
- Presumption period: range
- 3 months to 12 months
- Across the 21 jurisdictions with a single statewide figure.
Compare landlord retaliation laws
The details vary by state. Statutes differ on which tenant actions are protected, such as complaints to a housing inspector, repair requests or joining a tenant group. Some states also set a presumption period: if the landlord acts within a set time after the protected action, the law presumes retaliation and the landlord must show a legitimate reason. This guide compares those rules and links each one to its statute.
48 of 48 shown
| Protected tenant actions | Sources | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALAlabama | Yes | No presumption period | Code complaints to an agency or the landlord, tenant unionsCovers complaints to a housing code agency, complaints to the landlord about the landlord's maintenance duties, and organizing or joining a tenant union. | |
| AKAlaska | Yes | No presumption period | Complaints, using tenant rights, tenant unionsCovers complaints to the landlord about maintenance duties, enforcing rights under the act, joining a tenant union, and complaints to agencies enforcing housing, wage, price or rent controls. | |
| AZArizona | Yes | 6 months | Code complaints to an agency or the landlord, tenant unionsCovers complaints to a housing code agency, complaints to the landlord about maintenance duties, joining a tenant union, and complaints under the wage-price stabilization act. | |
| CACalifornia | Yes | 180 days (about 6 months) | Habitability complaints, repair notices, tenant groups, legal rightsCovers repair notices, bed bug notices and habitability complaints to the landlord or an agency, related court cases, organizing or joining a tenant group, and lawfully exercising legal rights. | |
| COColorado | Yes | No presumption period | Good-faith habitability complaints, tenant associationsCovers good-faith complaints to the landlord or a government agency about uninhabitable conditions or conditions that threaten life, health or safety, and organizing or joining a tenant association. | |
| CTConnecticut | Yes | 6 months | Code complaints, repair requests, lawsuits, tenant unionsCovers good-faith efforts to fix code violations (including complaints to officials or a fair rent commission), agency notices of violations, repair requests, repair lawsuits under 47a-14h, and joining a tenant union. | |
| DEDelaware | Yes | 90 days (about 3 months) | Code complaints, tenant groups, pursuing legal rightsCovers good-faith code complaints to the landlord or an authority, government notices of violations, organizing or serving as an officer of a tenant group, and pursuing legal rights arising from the tenancy. | |
| DCDistrict of Columbia | Yes | 6 months | Repair requests, complaints, rent withholding, tenant groups, lawsuitsCovers repair requests, complaints to DC officials, lawful rent withholding, tenant organization activity, enforcing lease rights and suing the housing provider. | |
| FLFlorida | Yes | No presumption period | Code complaints, tenant groups, notices to landlord, fair housingExamples include complaints to a code agency, tenant organizations, notices to the landlord under 83.56(1), servicemember lease termination, paying rent to an association, and fair housing rights. | |
| GAGeorgia | Yes | 3 months | Repair notices, code or utility complaints, tenant groupsCovers good-faith use of legal or lease rights, notices to repair, good-faith complaints to code agencies or utilities, and tenant organizations addressing habitability. | |
| HIHawaii | Yes | No presumption period | Good-faith complaints, agency violation notices, repair requestsCovers good-faith complaints to the landlord or agencies such as the health department about health law or landlord tenant code violations, agency violation notices, and good-faith repair requests. | |
| IDIdaho | Manufactured home lots only | Not listed | Repair requests, tenants' associations (AG guide)For park residents, 55-2015 also covers good-faith code complaints, complaints to the landlord and hiring counsel. | |
| ILIllinois | Yes | 12 months | Code complaints, repair requests, tenant unions, testimonyCovers code complaints to officials or community groups, repair requests, joining a tenant union, testifying about the premises, and exercising any legal right or remedy. | |
| INIndiana | Yes | No presumption period | Code complaints, written complaints, lawsuits, tenant groupsCovers code complaints to a government agency, written complaints to the landlord under IC 32-31-5-6 or 32-31-8-5, suits under IC 32-31-6 or 32-31-8, tenant organizations and testimony against the landlord. | |
| IAIowa | Yes | 12 months | Code complaints to an agency or the landlord, tenant unionsCovers complaints to a housing code agency, complaints to the landlord about maintenance duties under 562A.15, and organizing or joining a tenant union. | |
| KSKansas | Yes | No presumption period | Code complaints to an agency or the landlord, tenant unionsCovers complaints to a housing code agency, complaints to the landlord under K.S.A. 58-2553, and organizing or joining a tenant union. | |
| KYKentucky | Yes, where URLTA is locally adopted | 12 months | Code complaints, complaints to landlord, tenant unionsCovers complaints to a housing code agency, complaints to the landlord under KRS 383.595, and organizing or joining a tenants' union. | |
| MEMaine | Yes, as an eviction defense | 6 months | Code complaints, repair requests, fair housing complaintsPresumption covers asserting rights under sections 6015, 6016, 6021, 6030-D, 6030-I or 6030-J, code complaints, written repair requests, fair housing complaints, domestic violence notice and sexual harassment reports. | |
| MDMaryland | Yes | No presumption (6-month limit) | Good-faith complaints, lawsuits, tenant groups, calls to policeComplaints to the landlord or a public agency about lease or law violations or serious health or safety conditions; lawsuits or testimony; tenants' groups; calling police or emergency services. | |
| MAMassachusetts | Yes | 6 months | Code reports, written complaints, legal action, tenant unionsAlso covers exercising utility rights under G.L. c. 164, s. 124D and paying rent to a condominium organization under G.L. c. 183A, s. 6(c). | |
| MIMichigan | Yes, as an eviction defense | 90 days (about 3 months) | Enforcing rights, code complaints, tenant organization activityCovers enforcing rights under the lease or law, health or safety code complaints to a government authority and tenant organization activity. Penalties through added lease obligations are also covered. | |
| MNMinnesota | Yes | 90 days (about 3 months) | Enforcing lease or legal rights, reporting code violationsGood faith attempts to secure or enforce rights under a lease or law, good faith reports of code violations to a government authority, and complaints by a tenant or neighborhood organization. | |
| MSMississippi | Limited | No presumption period | Actions authorized by the Residential Landlord and Tenant ActThe landlord must have received written notice of each condition behind the tenant's actions. | |
| MOMissouri | No statute | No presumption period | None set by statute | |
| MTMontana | Yes | 6 months | Code complaints, written complaints to landlord, tenant unionsComplaints to a building or housing code agency, written complaints to the landlord of a violation under 70-24-303, and organizing or joining a tenant union. | |
| NENebraska | Yes | No presumption period | Code complaints to an agency, tenant unions | |
| NVNevada | Yes | No presumption period | Code and legal complaints, tenant unions, fair housing complaintsAlso covers habitability cases, victims of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault or stalking, tenants who refuse new rules, and certain workers covered by NRS 118A.310. | |
| NHNew Hampshire | Yes, as an eviction defense | 6 months | Code or habitability reports, legal action, tenant meetingsCovers reports to the landlord or an inspection agency, actions under RSA 540-A or RSA 540:13-d, and meeting with other tenants for a lawful purpose. | |
| NJNew Jersey | Yes | Presumption, no fixed period stated | Enforcing rights, health or safety complaints, tenant organizationsComplaints to a government authority must first be raised with the landlord, who gets a reasonable time to fix the problem. | |
| NMNew Mexico | Yes | No presumption (6-month window) | Complaints, repair requests, tenant groups, lawsuits, testimonyCovers code complaints, repair requests, tenant groups, fair housing complaints, lawsuits and testimony. Also covers lawful rent abatement under 47-8-27.1 or 47-8-27.2. | |
| NYNew York | Yes | 12 months | Good-faith complaints, enforcing lease rights, tenant organizingComplaints may go to the landlord, the landlord's agent or a government authority. | |
| NCNorth Carolina | Yes, as an eviction defense | No presumption (12-month lookback) | Repair requests, code complaints, enforcing rights, tenant organizingAlso covers a government authority's formal complaint to the landlord. | |
| NDNorth Dakota | Only for domestic violence lease termination | No presumption period | Ending a lease under the domestic abuse termination lawNo general protection for code complaints or repair requests was found in the leasing or eviction chapters. | |
| OHOhio | Yes | No presumption period | Code complaints, complaints to landlord, collective tenant actionCovers complaints to an agency about building, housing, health or safety code violations, complaints about violations of Ohio Rev. Code 5321.04, and joining other tenants to negotiate. | |
| OKOklahoma | No statute | No presumption period | None set by statute | |
| OROregon | Yes | No presumption period | Complaints, tenant unions, testimony, asserting legal rightsCovers agency complaints, good-faith complaints to the landlord, tenant unions, testimony and asserting legal rights. Also covers winning an eviction case in the prior 6 months and lawful family child care use. | |
| PAPennsylvania | Limited: utility rights and tenant associations | 6 months | Using utility shutoff protections, joining a tenants' associationUtility rights under 68 P.S. 399.7 and 399.9 (damages: greater of two months' rent or actual damages, plus costs and attorney fees); tenants' association participation under 68 P.S. 250.205. | |
| RIRhode Island | Yes | 6 months | Code complaints, complaints to landlord, tenant unions, legal rightsComplaints to the landlord concern violations under R.I. Gen. Laws 34-18-22. | |
| SCSouth Carolina | Yes | No presumption period | Code complaints, complaints to landlordCovers complaints to a code agency and complaints to the landlord about Landlord Tenant Act violations. | |
| SDSouth Dakota | Yes | No presumption period | Code complaints, written repair notices, tenant unionsCode complaints must be made in good faith to an agency, and the landlord must have received written notice of the agency complaint. | |
| TNTennessee | Yes, in covered counties | No presumption period | Complaints to landlord, using remedies under the actCovers complaints to the landlord about duties under 66-28-301 and use of remedies under the act. | |
| TXTexas | Yes | 6 months | Lease or legal rights, repair notices, complaints, tenant groupsCovers exercising legal or lease rights, repair notices, good-faith complaints to a code agency, a public utility or a civic or nonprofit agency, and tenant organizations. | |
| UTUtah | Only for calls to public safety agencies | No presumption period | Reasonable requests for assistance from a public safety agency | |
| VTVermont | Yes | 90 days (about 3 months) | Code complaints, complaints to landlord, tenant unionsCovers complaints to a code agency, complaints to the landlord about Chapter 137 violations, and tenant unions. | |
| VAVirginia | Yes | No presumption period | Code complaints, suits under the act, tenant groups, testimonyAlso covers complaints under the act. From January 1, 2027 (2026 Acts c. 1111) it adds media and fair housing complaints and testimony in administrative proceedings. | |
| WAWashington | Yes | 90 days (about 3 months) | Code complaints to an agency, asserting tenant rightsCovers good-faith complaints to a government authority about code violations and asserting rights under chapter 59.18. | |
| WIWisconsin | Yes | No presumption period | Code complaints, complaints to landlord, tenancy rightsCovers good-faith code complaints, complaints to the landlord and exercising a tenancy right. Complaints may go to an elected official or local housing code agency. | |
| WYWyoming | No statute | No presumption period | None set by statute |
Arkansas, Louisiana and West Virginia are not listed because we could not confirm the current rule from the statute text.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
What this means in practice
Keep a written record of every complaint, repair request and report to a government agency, with dates. A presumption period usually runs from the date of the protected action, so proof of that date can matter.
Retaliation protection does not usually excuse unpaid rent or lease violations. Statutes commonly allow a landlord to raise rent, end a tenancy or evict for a good-faith reason, such as nonpayment, damage to the unit or a rent increase applied to all tenants.
If a rent increase, service cut or eviction notice follows a complaint, read the statute for your state and any local ordinance. Cities and counties may add protections, and a local legal aid office or tenant union can explain how they apply.
Landlord Retaliation Laws: state by state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently asked questions
What counts as landlord retaliation?
Retaliation is an action a landlord takes to punish a tenant for using a legal right. Typical examples are raising the rent, reducing services such as heat or water, refusing to renew a lease or filing an eviction after the tenant complained or reported a code violation. Each state statute defines which actions it covers.
What is a presumption period for retaliation?
A presumption period is a window of time after a protected tenant action. If the landlord raises the rent, cuts services or tries to evict during that window, the law presumes the action was retaliatory. The landlord can usually rebut the presumption by showing a legitimate, non-retaliatory reason.
Can a landlord still evict a tenant who complained?
Often yes, if the landlord has a valid reason that is not retaliation, such as unpaid rent, serious lease violations or damage to the property. Retaliation statutes usually list these exceptions. The tenant may raise retaliation as a defense, and the court decides whether the landlord's reason is genuine.
What can a tenant recover for landlord retaliation?
Remedies depend on the state. Statutes may let a tenant defend against the eviction, recover actual damages, recover a set penalty such as a multiple of monthly rent, or recover attorney fees. Some statutes also let the tenant end the lease. Check the statute for the state where the rental is located.
Retaliation banned by statute: which states say yes?
Of the 48 jurisdictions we checked, the answer is yes in 38 jurisdictions, in some cases in 7, no in 3. Yes: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. In some cases: Idaho, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Utah.
Which states have the highest and lowest presumption period?
Among the 21 jurisdictions with a single statewide figure, presumption period ranges from 3 months (Delaware, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Vermont and Washington) to 12 months (Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky and New York). The most common figure is 6 months (11 jurisdictions). Check each state's page for exceptions.