LAW
Landlord and Tenant: The Duty to Provide Habitable Residence
By Gloria Oluseye-Are
The landlord is responsible for providing habitable residences for tenants before move in and during the period of tenancy.
Rental spaces must be maintained at optimum sanitary standards to maintain the health, safety and welfare of the community.
However, rental contracts may have different requirements based on the property.
Always read through your rental agreements and make sure there is a clause that protects tenant from assuming habitability responsibilities.
Once the landlord stops providing habitable residences, tenant needs to refer to the lease agreement and hold landlord accountable for breaching lease, if stipulated.
Compensation and punitive damages can then be demanded or tenant can legally insist that landlord provides habitable conditions.
