Key Takeaways:

  • Renters can negotiate lease terms — rent price, deposits, fees, and lease length are rarely final before signing.
  • Landlords must maintain habitable conditions — including working utilities, plumbing, structural safety, and lockable doors — as required by law.
  • Landlords cannot enter without notice — except in emergencies, prior notice is always required.
  • Landlords must accommodate renters with service and emotional support animals — no pet fees or deposits can be charged under federal law.
  • A portable tenant screening report prevents duplicate application fees — get one at ReusableTenantScreeningReports.com before you start your search.

Renters have the right to a habitable home, protection from discrimination, advance notice before landlord entry, negotiable lease terms, and a refundable security deposit–regardless of whether they own the property. 

Renting someone else’s property may make it feel like it is not yours. You don’t pay the mortgage, you aren’t on the deed, and once your lease is over and you move out, you have no further access to the property you just called home. 

However, while you reside in the apartment/home, you are afforded many rights and benefits that many renters often overlook.

What Are My Basic Rights When Signing a Lease? 

As a renter, you have the right to negotiate lease terms, prices, and length before signing. When signing that initial lease, renters often don’t realize that the listed prices aren’t always final. 

Renters can negotiate prices and terms, such as the lease term. If a tenant is willing to sign an 18- or 24-month lease, the landlord/property manager may be willing to offer a lower monthly payment, knowing they will have the property occupied for a longer period. 

While renters initially start with the lease, they don’t realize that rental insurance isn’t always required, such as in Colorado. Landlords/property managers often include it as part of the lease, and it does protect the renter. Although a landlord may require it, the renter can choose the company, so shopping around can get you a better rate. 

What Are the Most Important Lease Terms to Understand?

The three most critical lease terms to review before signing are: social deposit conditions, the damage vs. wear-and-tear policy, and any pet or animal fees. 

Security Deposit

Security deposits vary, and often a cleaning fee is deducted from the deposit at the end of the lease. This amount can be negotiated, or you can negotiate to handle the property cleaning yourself instead of paying the fee. Always ensure the security deposit is refundable, as once the lease is signed, it becomes a binding document. 

Damage VS. Wear-and-Tear

You must pay attention to the damages section and understand the difference between damage and normal wear and tear. Damage is caused by negligence or abuse, while normal wear and tear is simply the result of degradation over time. 

As a conscientious renter, take pictures or video of the residence prior to moving everything in. Documenting it in its current state can later help prove or disprove issues/complaints. 

Pet & Animal Fees

Lastly, pay attention to any animal provisions. Many leases automatically include an animal charge, since many renters have pets. This amount can be negotiated down, for example, from a $ 50-a-month fee to $25 a month, or, if it is per animal, to a single payment covering all animals. 

If you don’t have animals, it is recommended to inform the landlord and request that the fee be removed from the monthly payment. 

How Can I Identify and Report Discrimination in Renting?

Rental discrimination is illegal under the Fair Housing Act and can occur based on income, family size, or pet ownership. Qualified applicants must be considered on a first-come, first-served basis. 

If you are a qualified applicant and the landlord makes a comment about waiting for all applications to be received or waiting for other options, or it just seems like the application process is being elongated, inquire into why they are waiting when you have met the qualifications and are ready and available to sign a lease.

What Fees Can Landlords Legally Charge Renters?

Landlords may legally charge: application fees, tenant screening fees, a security deposit, a pet deposit or a monthly pet fee, first and last month’s rent, and proof of rental insurance. Many of these fees are negotiable. 

Understand the lease itself and know whether the security deposit is fully refundable or if a line item, such as a cleaning fee, will be automatically deducted from it. It is also important to understand your state’s laws, as obtaining a portable/reusable tenant screening report can prevent a landlord from charging any additional application fees. 

Reusable Tenant Screening Reports provide a state-compliant, fully verifiable portable/reusable tenant screening report. If a renter provides a report obtained through Reusable Tenant Screening Reports to a landlord/property manager, they can’t charge any additional application fees. 

Recently, on April 23, 2026, a landlord, K. O’Brian, stated about Reusable Tenant Screening Reports, “I work in property management, and to this day we have never had a passing PTSR. It was super exciting to finally have one approved and see how the process works for future residents! Reusable Tenant Screening Reports strives to provide excellent customer service while issuing state-compliant, thorough, portable/reusable tenant screening reports.

What Makes Rental Property Legally Habitable? 

A legally habitable rental must provide working utilities (electricity, heat, water), functioning plumbing, structural safety, and lockable exterior doors and windows. 

Oftentimes, over the course of the lease, issues arise that need to be fixed. It is important to document these in writing to the landlord/property manager as soon as possible so the issue can be rectified quickly. 

If repairs are ignored, the tenant should save any written communication, whether by text or email, as proof they communicated the issue(s) to the landlord. If the repairs are still being ignored, the tenant should refer back to the lease to see if there is a clause to terminate it early, or, if the repairs are completed, the cost could be deducted from the rent. 

It is important to document what you have done, such as communicating with the landlord, and if you do complete any repairs yourself or hire someone to do so, save the receipts. These can be used to justify an offset in rent or used in small claims court if it comes to that.

What Are My Rights if My Rental Has a Pest Problem? 

Pests, such as ants, spiders, or cockroaches, should not be part of your rental. Landlords are supposed to provide pest control services if there is a pest issue. 

Similar to property repairs, it is recommended to document any issue(s) in writing (text or email). If you hire someone or buy products to fix the issue, save the receipts and try to have them deducted from your rent. Always re-read your lease and see if any term covers pests and the solution for removing them from the property.

Can My Landlord Enter My Rental Without Permission? 

No. A landlord cannot enter your rental unit without prior notice except in a genuine emergency. 

Landlords can conduct walk-throughs of the property with advance notice to ensure it is maintained in accordance with the terms of the lease. 

A landlord can also enter a property in an emergency, such as if they encounter a fire, flood, or other disaster where health and safety or property damage seem apparent. So, while there are times when the landlord/property manager can enter the property you inhabit, it can’t be on a whim and must have a reason for the visit.

Can a Landlord Raise My Rent During a Lease?  

A lease is a binding agreement. So, why can the monthly payment change during the course of the agreed-upon lease? A monthly payment, the terms of the security deposit, and any fees are all included within the lease. However, it is important to read and understand the lease. If it does not address rent increases, you can request that a section be added stating that if the landlord increases the rent, you are allowed to terminate the lease. 

While it varies by state, landlords can increase rent with advanced notice. The amount of notice and the manner in which it is provided vary, which is why it is important to negotiate a term when signing the initial lease to be able to vacate the lease if the rent is increased. 

At the end of the lease, the landlord can increase rent or fees. This is when another negotiation can occur, similar to when the lease was initially signed. If the landlord wants to raise the rent but you’re willing to sign a longer lease, they may be willing to keep the current rent. If you have been a good tenant who has paid on time, and the landlord wants to occupy their property, they may be willing to concede to your terms.

How Can I Protect My Security Deposit? 

Security deposits are a normal part of renting and leases. A landlord wants to protect their investment, and one way to do that is to hold a sum of money in case something happens to the property. 

Having a guaranteed amount of money alleviates some of the landlord’s worry about property damage, as they can use the security deposit to offset any costs. 

Security deposits range widely in amount and terms. Some require a cleaning fee to be deducted from them at the end of the lease. Some include last month’s rent in case a tenant finds a new rental and moves out early. The amount of a security deposit and the terms can be negotiated at the time of signing the lease. 

Thoroughly read the lease to understand the provisions surrounding a security deposit so you are not surprised at the end of the lease if money is deducted from it. A renter should always keep a copy of the signed lease agreement, which will include information about the security deposit. 

If needed, this can be used in a mediation hearing or in small claims court if the landlord engages in nefarious conduct and violates the terms of the signed lease.

What Are My Rights During Eviction or Early Lease Termination? 

Landlords cannot evict a renter without the following legal process:

  • Written notice
  • Multiple opportunities to remedy the issue
  • Court approval 
  • Sheriff-executed removal 

Regarding early lease termination, it is important to have a copy of the signed lease and be able to refer to it. A mediation hearing can be used to reach an agreement between the tenant and landlord, and, as a last resort, small claims court can be used if warranted to recover lost or potentially lost money.

What Are My Rights as a Renter With Pets or Service Animals? 

Landlords will often allow pets in their residences, though a monthly or one-time pet fee may apply. Oftentimes, a pet fee will be per animal, but this can be negotiated at the time of signing the lease. 

The fee could be negotiated to include all animals rather than per animal, or the per-animal fee could be reduced. With regard to service animals, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law that requires landlords to provide access to rental units for service animals, even if they have a no-pets policy. 

Proof that the animal is a certified service animal may be required. Regarding emotional support animals, the Fair Housing Act, a federal law, governs renters’ rights to these animals. In general, a landlord, even if they have a no-pet policy, has to allow the pet in the home, but the landlord can require the renter to provide proof that the animal is an emotional support animal. 

A landlord can’t charge a pet fee for an emotional support animal, can’t charge a pet deposit, and can’t require breed or weight restrictions that would apply to ordinary pets.

How To Proceed When I know My Renter’s Rights? 

Renting can feel overwhelming. The fees, the time spent moving, and the hassle of changing your address everywhere to get your mail and items sent to you can feel like a never-ending process. Being armed with the right information can give you a leg up on the competition and make you feel secure in the process, knowing you are informed of your rights as a tenant. The first step in that process is obtaining a reusable/portable tenant screening report from ReusableTenantScreeningReports.com. This will immediately save you time and money in your rental search and put you on the right foot toward securing your next home.