Every tenant has a fundamental right to live in a safe and habitable environment. Landlords have a legal duty to ensure that the property complies with health, safety, and structural standards. This includes maintaining basic amenities such as water supply, electricity, sanitation, and structural integrity of the building.

If a property becomes unsafe due to neglect—such as broken staircases, faulty wiring, or leaking roofs—tenants can demand timely repairs. In many jurisdictions, laws also prevent landlords from retaliating against tenants who raise genuine complaints regarding living conditions.

Courts recognize the implied warranty of habitability, which means that even if the lease agreement does not explicitly mention these obligations, landlords cannot ignore them. Tenants facing persistent neglect can seek remedies such as rent reduction, court-ordered repairs, or in serious cases, termination of the lease agreement.

The balance between landlord rights and tenant safety lies at the heart of landlord–tenant law, ensuring fairness while protecting human dignity in housing.