As a Tenant, you do have responsibilities. The biggest responsibility of the tenant is to abide by the terms of the lease agreement. The number one issue landlords face is rent collection. The tenant must pay their rent on time.
If you need RENTAL ASSISTANCE or already receive rental assistance, then Read about Housing Vouchers and other programs including Section 8. 

But what about my landlord, what is the landlord responsible for? For those answers, click here.

Tenant Responsibilities Checklist. As a landlord, I can tell you other then paying your rent on time, please take care of the unit you are renting - keep it clean, don't leave garbage around the exterior and respect the neighbors. For Tenant Rights - find your state laws here.

- Pay the rent on time. Failure to pay rent on time may result in late fees or the basis for eviction. 

- Keep the apartment and the surrounding area clean and in good condition.  - Learn the difference between Normal Wear and Tear and damages or abuse.

- Maintain the smoke detector, fire extinguisher and carbon monoxide detector. While the landlord is responsible in most state for providing these, in most states the tenant is responsible for maintaining them . This means not removing them and replacing the batteries at minimum yearly.

- Use common sense and good manners.

- Notify the landlord if you will be on an extended leave so the landlord may make sure the unit is secured and keep on eye on it. You must pay rent while are on leave.

- Purchase Renters Insurance. The landlord is not responsible for your personal belongings.

- Respect the neighbors. Keep noise to a level that will not disturb them.

- Repair any damage occurring to the apartment you or your guests have caused. Notify landlord at once of damages.

- Give the landlord permission to enter the apartment at reasonable times and with advance notice (24 hours is common) to inspect or to make necessary repairs.

- When moving out, give landlord proper advance notice. Read your lease agreement for the terms.

- When you empty your personal trash, be sure it all goes in the big trash container or dumpster. If some of your trash falls on the ground, pick it up and put it in the dumpster.

- Do not move additional people in without landlord approval.

- Never sneak in a pet. It violates the terms of the rental agreement and isn’t fair to the animal.

- When you move out be sure the apartment is in the same condition as when you moved in, less normal wear and tear.  Return the key to the landlord promptly. This may effect your security deposit. See normal wear and tear.

 - Use our FREE SECURITY DEPOSIT REFUND REQUEST LETTER to request your refund and notify your landlord of your new address or an address to mail the security deposit to. See Security Deposits.

- Notify the landlord immediately if the apartment needs repair. A phone call and in writing.