Legal Help FAQs on Landlord-Tenant, Rent, and Eviction Problems
Find your local legal rules about housing, eviction, rent, and landlord-tenant issues. Also find groups and guides that can help you with housing assistance.
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Find legal groups that can help you with housing problems, landlords, roommates, Section 8, domestic violence, discrimination, and more.
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Find Financial Assistance for Housing Costs
Find groups that can help you pay the rent, cover utility costs, and get other housing-related assistance.
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Find help with other problems, like domestic violence, health coverage, food benefits, mental health, and other issues.
Find Other ServicesWhat You Can Do as a Tenant
You may have protections from the US federal government, your state government, and your county or city government. Search here to find if you have protections from being evicted, or a different timeline for paying rent or utilities you owe.
Go to your local state’s Find Financial Assistance page and find what state, city, or county rental assistance is there for you. There are limited rental funds available for people affected by COVID-19. Apply as soon as you can.
If you can’t pay your rent in full, have problems with housing conditions, or have other issues — put this down in a written letter (or an email). Send this written description of your problems to your landlord, and keep a copy for your records.This tool can help you write an official letter to your landlord.
You should keep any communication about health, work, and financial problems you are having because of the COVID-19 pandemic. These can be letters from your employer about termination, cut in pay, or reduction of hours; paychecks and bank statements; bills for health expenses; or letters from a school or child care about closures. These can all be used as evidence to support you down the road.
Even if you may have protections to not pay rent or utilities during the emergency, you may have to pay it all afterwards.You can reach out for financial assistance for housing costs.You can also work with your landlord to arrange a reasonable payment plan.
A legal aid group or others can help you know your rights, form a strategy, and avoid negative consequences of a possible eviction. Find legal help here.