A proper written notice should include a list of problems, a reasonable date for completion (about thirty days) and it should be signed by you, landlord and dated. Make sure both you and your landlord have copies with original signatures, and you might want to get them notarized. Visit Neighborhood Link for a good example of a proper repair request letter.

Most landlords will make requested repairs, and you won't have to worry about anything after that. However, there's a chance that your landlord will continually put off repairs or simply refuse to make them. This is when you must move to step two.

Neighborhood link states that "If landlord fails to correct condition within a reasonable time, (usually about thirty days) then tenant may terminate rental agreement." In order to do this, you are required to provide landlord with a written notification of your residency termination. (This is sort of like putting in your two weeks notice at a job you plan to quit.) For a sample of a termination letter, click here.

The South Dakota Office of Attorney General provides one final remedy in event that a landlord fails to make repairs. According to their laws on tenant rights & responsibilities, tenant can "make repairs on his or her own, in which case tenant may deduct expense for repairs from rent." This might involve going to small claims court, but if you have a copy of signed and dated repair request, getting reimbursed shouldn't be too much of a problem.

*To find out about landlord-tenant laws in your state, visit Tenant.net and select your state in pop up menu on top right hand side.

# Permit your landlord to enter your apartment if he makes a reasonable request and gives you at least 24 hours notice. Reasonable request would be to inspect property - not to snoop around through your things every 2 days throughout your tenancy. You have right to your privacy, and if your landlord continually demands to enter your apartment, you should contact your local tenant's union to see what actions you should take.

# Not allow guests or family members to stay in your apartment beyond a reasonable amount of time without notifying your landlord and having their name added to your lease.

If you are aware of your responsibilities as a tenant, and you follow rules, you should have a happy, healthy stay. On other hand, failure to do a combination these things could result in a lost security deposit, being sued in small claims court, or worse... eviction!