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State laws / Landlord retaliation laws by state

Landlord retaliation laws by state

Rules differ by state. Here is what each state's statute says about landlord retaliation, with citations. Data as of 2026-10-21, 34 states verified against official statute text.

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Alaska

Retaliation rule
A landlord may not retaliate by increasing rent, decreasing services, or bringing or threatening an action for possession after the tenant complained to the landlord of a habitability violation (§ 34.03.100), sought to enforce rights under the Act, joined a tenants' union, or complained to a governmental agency about housing, wage, price or rent controls. The tenant has the remedies in § 34.03.210 (recover possession or terminate, plus up to 1.5 times actual damages) and a defense to an eviction action. Exceptions: the landlord may still seek possession for unpaid rent, code-required work, waste or nuisance or illegal use, or in good faith for personal use, remodeling or demolition, or conversion out of residential use, and may raise rent for substantial tax or operating-cost increases, a capital improvement, or to match market rent (§ 34.03.310(c), (d)).
Source
AS 34.03.310

Arizona

Retaliation rule
Landlord may not retaliate (raise rent, cut services, or bring/threaten eviction) because a tenant complained to a housing-code agency, complained to the landlord about repairs, or joined a tenants' union. A complaint within 6 months before the act creates a presumption of retaliation.
Source
A.R.S. § 33-1381

California

Retaliation rule
Landlord may not retaliate (rent increase, reduced services, eviction) within 180 days after the tenant exercises legal rights such as complaining about habitability.
Source
Cal. Civ. Code § 1942.5

Colorado

Retaliation rule
Landlord may not raise rent, cut services, end the lease, threaten eviction or otherwise intimidate a tenant for a good-faith habitability or health/safety complaint, or for joining or organizing a tenants' association; the tenant may end the lease and recover the greater of 3 months' rent or 3x actual damages, plus attorney fees, and can raise retaliation as a defense to eviction.
Source
C.R.S. § 38-12-509

Delaware

Retaliation rule
A landlord may not seek possession, raise rent or cut services because the tenant made a good-faith code complaint, a government authority filed a violation notice, the tenant organized or is an officer of a tenant organization, or the tenant pursued a legal right. Such action within 90 days of the complaint or act is presumed retaliatory.
Source
Del. Code tit. 25, § 5516

District of Columbia

Retaliation rule
Landlord may not retaliate (eviction, rent increase, cut in services, refusal to renew, harassment) against a tenant who exercises legal rights. Retaliation is presumed if, within the prior 6 months, the tenant asked for code repairs, complained to D.C. officials, joined a tenant organization, or sued the landlord; the landlord must rebut by clear and convincing evidence.
Source
D.C. Code § 42-3505.02

Florida

Retaliation rule
Landlord may not retaliate against good-faith complaints or tenant organizing.
Source
Fla. Stat. § 83.64

Georgia

Retaliation rule
Retaliation for good-faith repair requests or complaints to authorities is prohibited.
Source
O.C.G.A. § 44-7-24

Illinois

Retaliation rule
Retaliation against tenants who complain to authorities or exercise legal rights is prohibited.
Source
765 ILCS 720

Iowa

Retaliation rule
Landlord may not raise rent, cut services, or bring or threaten an eviction because the tenant complained to a housing-code agency, complained to the landlord about required repairs, or joined a tenants' union. A good-faith complaint within the prior year creates a presumption of retaliation. The tenant can recover actual damages and reasonable attorney fees.
Source
Iowa Code § 562A.36

Kansas

Retaliation rule
Landlord may not retaliate by raising rent or cutting services because the tenant complained to a housing-code agency, complained to the landlord about required repairs, or joined a tenants' union. A good-faith increase to cover higher costs (taxes, utility rates) is allowed if the lease permits it.
Source
K.S.A. 58-2572

Kentucky

Retaliation rule
Landlord may not raise rent, cut services, or sue/threaten eviction because the tenant complained to a code agency or the landlord, or joined a tenants' union; a complaint within 1 year before the act creates a presumption of retaliation (URLTA areas).
Source
KRS 383.705

Louisiana

Retaliation rule
No retaliation statute in our verified data — see state page
Source
—

Maine

Retaliation rule
An eviction action is presumed retaliatory if, within the 6 months before it was filed, the tenant asserted rights under the rent-increase, habitability or fee statutes, made a good-faith code complaint to an enforcement body, or made a good-faith written repair request to the landlord.
Source
14 M.R.S. § 6001(3)

Maryland

Retaliation rule
Landlord may not sue or threaten to sue for possession, arbitrarily raise rent, cut services or end a periodic tenancy because of a good-faith complaint (to the landlord or a public agency), a lawsuit, tenant-organization activity, or someone summoning police/emergency services; damages up to 3 months' rent plus attorney fees. Protection requires the tenant to be current on rent (unless lawfully withholding) and covers actions within 6 months of the complaint/lawsuit.
Source
Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208.1

Minnesota

Retaliation rule
A landlord may not evict, increase obligations or decrease services as a penalty for a tenant's good-faith complaint or for enforcing lease or legal rights. If the action comes within 90 days of the complaint/act, the landlord bears the burden of proving it was not retaliatory.
Source
Minn. Stat. §§ 504B.441, 504B.285, subds. 2-3

Missouri

Retaliation rule
No retaliation statute in our verified data — see state page
Source
—

Montana

Retaliation rule
A landlord may not retaliate by increasing rent, decreasing services, or bringing or threatening an action for possession after the tenant (a) complained of a health-and-safety code violation to a government agency, (b) complained in writing to the landlord of a violation of § 70-24-303 (habitability), or (c) organized or joined a tenants' union. A complaint within 6 months before the alleged retaliation creates a rebuttable presumption of retaliation (not if the tenant complained after notice of a proposed rent increase or reduced services). The tenant gets the remedies of § 70-24-411 and a defense to a possession action. The landlord may still seek possession if the tenant caused the violation, is in default in rent, or compliance requires work that would deprive the tenant of the unit.
Source
MCA § 70-24-431

Nevada

Retaliation rule
Landlord may not retaliate (end or refuse to renew tenancy, raise rent, cut services, or threaten eviction) because a tenant made a good-faith code complaint, organized a tenants' group, or used habitability remedies.
Source
NRS 118A.510

New York

Retaliation rule
Retaliation for good-faith complaints is prohibited; rebuttable presumption of retaliation for actions within 1 year of the complaint.
Source
N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 223-b

North Carolina

Retaliation rule
Retaliatory eviction is a defense when it follows a good-faith complaint or exercise of rights within 12 months.
Source
N.C.G.S. § 42-37.1

North Dakota

Retaliation rule
No retaliation statute in our verified data — see state page
Source
N.D.C.C. ch. 47-16 (no general retaliation provision found). § 47-16-17.1(10) bars refusing to rent, or otherwise retaliating, solely because a tenant exercised the right to terminate a lease as a domestic violence victim.

Ohio

Retaliation rule
Landlord may not raise rent, cut services or evict because a tenant complained to authorities or the landlord or joined a tenant union.
Source
Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.02

Oregon

Retaliation rule
Landlord may not raise rent, cut services, serve a termination notice or threaten eviction because a tenant complained in good faith to the landlord or to a government agency (housing/health code, discrimination), joined or organized a tenants' union, testified against the landlord, won an eviction case in the last 6 months, or asserted any legal tenant right; retaliation is a defense to eviction.
Source
ORS 90.385

Pennsylvania

Retaliation rule
No retaliation statute in our verified data — see state page
Source
—

South Carolina

Retaliation rule
Landlord may not raise rent above fair-market value, cut essential services, or sue for possession because the tenant complained to a code agency or to the landlord about a violation of the Act. Liability up to 3 months' rent or treble actual damages (whichever is greater) plus attorney fees. Tenant must give written notice of the defense within 10 days after service of the Rule to Vacate.
Source
S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-910

South Dakota

Retaliation rule
A tenant of residential property has a cause of action if the landlord increases rent above fair market value, decreases electric, gas, water or sewer service, or gives notice to vacate not based on a lease breach, after the tenant (1) complained in good faith to a governmental agency about a housing or building code violation materially affecting health and safety and the landlord received written notice of it, (2) gave the landlord written notice of a repair condition under § 43-32-9, or (3) organized or joined a tenants' union. It is a defense that the notice to vacate came more than 180 days after that event; not renewing a written lease at expiration is not retaliation. The tenant gets the remedies in § 43-32-6 and the court may award reasonable attorney's fees.
Source
SDCL §§ 43-32-27, 43-32-28

Tennessee

Retaliation rule
Landlord may not retaliate by raising rent, cutting services or bringing/threatening a possession action because the tenant complained to the landlord of a violation (the statute cross-references § 66-28-301) or used remedies under the Act (exceptions: tenant-caused code violation, tenant in rent default, code compliance that requires alteration, remodeling or demolition).
Source
Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-514

Texas

Retaliation rule
No retaliation for 6 months after a tenant in good faith requests repairs or exercises legal rights.
Source
Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331

Utah

Retaliation rule
No retaliation statute in our verified data — see state page
Source
—

Virginia

Retaliation rule
Landlord may not raise rent, cut services, or threaten/bring an eviction or termination because the tenant complained to a housing-code agency, complained or sued under the Act, joined a tenants' organization, or testified against the landlord. Tenant may recover actual damages and raise retaliation as a defense. (Expanded version effective January 1, 2027.)
Source
Va. Code § 55.1-1258

Washington

Retaliation rule
Landlord may not retaliate (eviction, rent increase, reduced services, added obligations) for good-faith complaints to authorities or asserting rights; action within 90 days is presumed retaliatory (rebuttable), except when the tenant is behind on rent or in breach.
Source
RCW 59.18.240, 59.18.250

West Virginia

Retaliation rule
No retaliation statute in our verified data — see state page
Source
—

Wyoming

Retaliation rule
No retaliation statute in our verified data — see state page
Source
W.S. 1-21-1201 to 1-21-1211 (no retaliation provision found; the Wyoming Safe Homes Act, § 1-21-1303(c), bars terminating a tenancy based solely on victim status)
StateRetaliation ruleSource
AlaskaA landlord may not retaliate by increasing rent, decreasing services, or bringing or threatening an action for possession after the tenant complained to the landlord of a habitability violation (§ 34.03.100), sought to enforce rights under the Act, joined a tenants' union, or complained to a governmental agency about housing, wage, price or rent controls. The tenant has the remedies in § 34.03.210 (recover possession or terminate, plus up to 1.5 times actual damages) and a defense to an eviction action. Exceptions: the landlord may still seek possession for unpaid rent, code-required work, waste or nuisance or illegal use, or in good faith for personal use, remodeling or demolition, or conversion out of residential use, and may raise rent for substantial tax or operating-cost increases, a capital improvement, or to match market rent (§ 34.03.310(c), (d)).AS 34.03.310
ArizonaLandlord may not retaliate (raise rent, cut services, or bring/threaten eviction) because a tenant complained to a housing-code agency, complained to the landlord about repairs, or joined a tenants' union. A complaint within 6 months before the act creates a presumption of retaliation.A.R.S. § 33-1381
CaliforniaLandlord may not retaliate (rent increase, reduced services, eviction) within 180 days after the tenant exercises legal rights such as complaining about habitability.Cal. Civ. Code § 1942.5
ColoradoLandlord may not raise rent, cut services, end the lease, threaten eviction or otherwise intimidate a tenant for a good-faith habitability or health/safety complaint, or for joining or organizing a tenants' association; the tenant may end the lease and recover the greater of 3 months' rent or 3x actual damages, plus attorney fees, and can raise retaliation as a defense to eviction.C.R.S. § 38-12-509
DelawareA landlord may not seek possession, raise rent or cut services because the tenant made a good-faith code complaint, a government authority filed a violation notice, the tenant organized or is an officer of a tenant organization, or the tenant pursued a legal right. Such action within 90 days of the complaint or act is presumed retaliatory.Del. Code tit. 25, § 5516
District of ColumbiaLandlord may not retaliate (eviction, rent increase, cut in services, refusal to renew, harassment) against a tenant who exercises legal rights. Retaliation is presumed if, within the prior 6 months, the tenant asked for code repairs, complained to D.C. officials, joined a tenant organization, or sued the landlord; the landlord must rebut by clear and convincing evidence.D.C. Code § 42-3505.02
FloridaLandlord may not retaliate against good-faith complaints or tenant organizing.Fla. Stat. § 83.64
GeorgiaRetaliation for good-faith repair requests or complaints to authorities is prohibited.O.C.G.A. § 44-7-24
IllinoisRetaliation against tenants who complain to authorities or exercise legal rights is prohibited.765 ILCS 720
IowaLandlord may not raise rent, cut services, or bring or threaten an eviction because the tenant complained to a housing-code agency, complained to the landlord about required repairs, or joined a tenants' union. A good-faith complaint within the prior year creates a presumption of retaliation. The tenant can recover actual damages and reasonable attorney fees.Iowa Code § 562A.36
KansasLandlord may not retaliate by raising rent or cutting services because the tenant complained to a housing-code agency, complained to the landlord about required repairs, or joined a tenants' union. A good-faith increase to cover higher costs (taxes, utility rates) is allowed if the lease permits it.K.S.A. 58-2572
KentuckyLandlord may not raise rent, cut services, or sue/threaten eviction because the tenant complained to a code agency or the landlord, or joined a tenants' union; a complaint within 1 year before the act creates a presumption of retaliation (URLTA areas).KRS 383.705
LouisianaNo retaliation statute in our verified data — see state page—
MaineAn eviction action is presumed retaliatory if, within the 6 months before it was filed, the tenant asserted rights under the rent-increase, habitability or fee statutes, made a good-faith code complaint to an enforcement body, or made a good-faith written repair request to the landlord.14 M.R.S. § 6001(3)
MarylandLandlord may not sue or threaten to sue for possession, arbitrarily raise rent, cut services or end a periodic tenancy because of a good-faith complaint (to the landlord or a public agency), a lawsuit, tenant-organization activity, or someone summoning police/emergency services; damages up to 3 months' rent plus attorney fees. Protection requires the tenant to be current on rent (unless lawfully withholding) and covers actions within 6 months of the complaint/lawsuit.Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208.1
MinnesotaA landlord may not evict, increase obligations or decrease services as a penalty for a tenant's good-faith complaint or for enforcing lease or legal rights. If the action comes within 90 days of the complaint/act, the landlord bears the burden of proving it was not retaliatory.Minn. Stat. §§ 504B.441, 504B.285, subds. 2-3
MissouriNo retaliation statute in our verified data — see state page—
MontanaA landlord may not retaliate by increasing rent, decreasing services, or bringing or threatening an action for possession after the tenant (a) complained of a health-and-safety code violation to a government agency, (b) complained in writing to the landlord of a violation of § 70-24-303 (habitability), or (c) organized or joined a tenants' union. A complaint within 6 months before the alleged retaliation creates a rebuttable presumption of retaliation (not if the tenant complained after notice of a proposed rent increase or reduced services). The tenant gets the remedies of § 70-24-411 and a defense to a possession action. The landlord may still seek possession if the tenant caused the violation, is in default in rent, or compliance requires work that would deprive the tenant of the unit.MCA § 70-24-431
NevadaLandlord may not retaliate (end or refuse to renew tenancy, raise rent, cut services, or threaten eviction) because a tenant made a good-faith code complaint, organized a tenants' group, or used habitability remedies.NRS 118A.510
New YorkRetaliation for good-faith complaints is prohibited; rebuttable presumption of retaliation for actions within 1 year of the complaint.N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 223-b
North CarolinaRetaliatory eviction is a defense when it follows a good-faith complaint or exercise of rights within 12 months.N.C.G.S. § 42-37.1
North DakotaNo retaliation statute in our verified data — see state pageN.D.C.C. ch. 47-16 (no general retaliation provision found). § 47-16-17.1(10) bars refusing to rent, or otherwise retaliating, solely because a tenant exercised the right to terminate a lease as a domestic violence victim.
OhioLandlord may not raise rent, cut services or evict because a tenant complained to authorities or the landlord or joined a tenant union.Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.02
OregonLandlord may not raise rent, cut services, serve a termination notice or threaten eviction because a tenant complained in good faith to the landlord or to a government agency (housing/health code, discrimination), joined or organized a tenants' union, testified against the landlord, won an eviction case in the last 6 months, or asserted any legal tenant right; retaliation is a defense to eviction.ORS 90.385
PennsylvaniaNo retaliation statute in our verified data — see state page—
South CarolinaLandlord may not raise rent above fair-market value, cut essential services, or sue for possession because the tenant complained to a code agency or to the landlord about a violation of the Act. Liability up to 3 months' rent or treble actual damages (whichever is greater) plus attorney fees. Tenant must give written notice of the defense within 10 days after service of the Rule to Vacate.S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-910
South DakotaA tenant of residential property has a cause of action if the landlord increases rent above fair market value, decreases electric, gas, water or sewer service, or gives notice to vacate not based on a lease breach, after the tenant (1) complained in good faith to a governmental agency about a housing or building code violation materially affecting health and safety and the landlord received written notice of it, (2) gave the landlord written notice of a repair condition under § 43-32-9, or (3) organized or joined a tenants' union. It is a defense that the notice to vacate came more than 180 days after that event; not renewing a written lease at expiration is not retaliation. The tenant gets the remedies in § 43-32-6 and the court may award reasonable attorney's fees.SDCL §§ 43-32-27, 43-32-28
TennesseeLandlord may not retaliate by raising rent, cutting services or bringing/threatening a possession action because the tenant complained to the landlord of a violation (the statute cross-references § 66-28-301) or used remedies under the Act (exceptions: tenant-caused code violation, tenant in rent default, code compliance that requires alteration, remodeling or demolition).Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-514
TexasNo retaliation for 6 months after a tenant in good faith requests repairs or exercises legal rights.Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331
UtahNo retaliation statute in our verified data — see state page—
VirginiaLandlord may not raise rent, cut services, or threaten/bring an eviction or termination because the tenant complained to a housing-code agency, complained or sued under the Act, joined a tenants' organization, or testified against the landlord. Tenant may recover actual damages and raise retaliation as a defense. (Expanded version effective January 1, 2027.)Va. Code § 55.1-1258
WashingtonLandlord may not retaliate (eviction, rent increase, reduced services, added obligations) for good-faith complaints to authorities or asserting rights; action within 90 days is presumed retaliatory (rebuttable), except when the tenant is behind on rent or in breach.RCW 59.18.240, 59.18.250
West VirginiaNo retaliation statute in our verified data — see state page—
WyomingNo retaliation statute in our verified data — see state pageW.S. 1-21-1201 to 1-21-1211 (no retaliation provision found; the Wyoming Safe Homes Act, § 1-21-1303(c), bars terminating a tenancy based solely on victim status)

Not yet covered (coming soon): Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin.

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