As a renter, you have local, state and federal rights. These could help you stay in your home, or make it easier to find a new one.
Some state and local governments have protections in place to help you avoid being evicted.
Many landlords are represented by a lawyer in court. You can get legal help too, and you could qualify for free legal aid.
When you owe money to your landlord or utility company and someone else is trying to collect the money, that person could be a debt collector. Maybe a lawyer or law firm is representing your landlord, or maybe a collection agency is trying to collect the back rent you owe. If so, the lawyer, law firm, or company may be a debt collector under federal law.
Federal law says that debt collectors can’t use unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices to try and collect a debt. This means if a debt collector harasses you or makes false or misleading statements to collect rental debt, they may be breaking federal law.
If you believe that a debt collector is using an unfair, deceptive, or abusive practice when collecting a debt, you can submit a complaint or call (855) 411-2372.
A debt collector trying to evict you for unpaid rent might have been required to give you a notice about the CDC’s eviction moratorium while it applied. If you didn’t get this notice for a pandemic-related eviction when the moratorium applied, talk with a lawyer. Find a lawyer through your local bar association or legal aid office.
Your rights as a tenant are usually spelled out in your rental agreement and state or local laws. Visit LegalFAQ.org to learn about tenant rights in your state
Federal law may protect you from being evicted, losing your housing subsidy, or having your application for housing denied because of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking committed against you. However, federal laws don't stop landlords from evicting abusers for committing domestic violence against you.
Landlords generally cannot:
because of your race, color, national origin (country of origin or ancestry), religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), familial status (pregnancy and families with children), or disability.
If you or your landlord receive federal financial assistance for housing, you are also protected from housing discrimination based on age.