What must a renter do in order to enforce their rights?

In order to enforce their rights as a renter, being current on all payments to the landlord is essential. This is because a tenant who is not in compliance with their financial obligations may find it challenging to defend their position in disputes related to the rental agreement. For example, if a tenant is behind on rent, the landlord may have grounds to initiate an eviction process, making it difficult for the tenant to claim any rights or protections under tenant laws.

While having a written lease agreement certainly strengthens a tenant's position and helps clarify the terms of occupancy, it is not strictly necessary for enforcing basic tenant rights in all cases, as some agreements are verbal but still binding. Providing notice of intent to leave is important when a tenant plans to terminate their lease, but it does not directly relate to the enforcement of rights while the tenant is still living in the property. Submitting a work order request is useful for maintenance issues but does not impact a tenant's ability to enforce their rights overall. Therefore, maintaining up-to-date payments is a fundamental requirement that fortifies a renter's ability to assert their rights effectively.