Renting comes with plenty of responsibilities, from paying rent on time to taking reasonable care of the property. But landlords have responsibilities too, and renters don’t always realize how much of the maintenance, safety, and privacy side of renting falls on the property owner.

What a landlord must provide depends on state and local laws, so the rules aren’t identical everywhere. Still, these are some responsibilities renters should know about, instead of automatically assuming every problem is theirs to handle.

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A Home That’s Safe to Live In

Landlords are generally responsible for providing a rental that meets basic health and safety requirements. Serious structural problems, unsafe electrical conditions, lack of essential utilities, and similar issues may need to be corrected by the property owner.

Necessary Repairs

When something belonging to the property breaks because of age or normal use, the repair often falls on the landlord rather than the tenant. That can include plumbing, electrical systems, heating equipment, and other parts of the home the tenant didn’t damage.

Privacy in Your Rental

Owning the property doesn’t normally give a landlord unlimited access to a tenant’s home. Once a property is rented, tenants generally have a right to reasonable privacy and use of the space without unnecessary interference.

Proper Notice Before Entering

Landlords typically need a legitimate reason and appropriate notice before entering an occupied rental, except in emergencies. How much notice is required varies considerably depending on where you live.

Reliable Hot Water

Hot water is considered an essential service in many rental laws. If the water heater fails through normal wear, repairing or replacing it will generally be the landlord’s responsibility.

Adequate Heat

In many areas, landlords must provide a working heating system and may even be required to maintain minimum indoor temperatures during colder months. A tenant shouldn’t necessarily have to rely on portable heaters because the property’s permanent heating system doesn’t work.

Serious Pest Problems

Responsibility for pests can depend on what caused the infestation, but landlords may be responsible when the problem results from conditions in the building. Major issues involving rodents, cockroaches, bedbugs, or other pests can also become habitability concerns.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Many states and cities require landlords to provide properly installed smoke detectors and, in certain properties, carbon monoxide detectors. Rules about testing them and replacing batteries may differ, so renters should also check their lease and local requirements.

Basic Security

Exterior doors, locks, and other required security features generally need to function properly. A broken front door lock isn’t simply an inconvenience a renter should be expected to live with indefinitely.

Protection From Certain Retaliation

Renters generally shouldn’t be punished simply for reporting legitimate housing problems or exercising legally protected tenant rights. Many states prohibit certain retaliatory actions by landlords, although the protections and enforcement rules vary.