Just as a tenant has certain duties that they must fulfill, so does the landlord. One of the first duties a landlord must observe is to comply with all federal and state laws such as the implied warranty of habitability, which states that any rented property must meet basic standards of human habitation, and the Fair Housing Act, which outlaws discriminatory leasing policies. Additionally, landlords must comply with all applicable health and safety standards. Heating, plumbing and electrical systems must be kept in good working condition. If the landlord owns four our more units, they must provide garbage cans or garbage removal. For the sake of tenant privacy, landlords are required to give at least 24 hours notice before entering the property and may only do so at reasonable times of the day. Finally, if the landlord is notified by police or other informants that illegal drug activity is occurring, they have an obligation to evict those tenants for the protection of the other tenants. For more information about a landlord's duties, contact a real estate lawyer in your area.
