It should be a natural partnership: Landlords want to keep their apartments rentable. Tenants want a nice place to live.
But disputes happen. They key is reasonable expectations.
Landlords have the responsibility to keep properties safe, structurally sound, with working heating and cooling systems and appliances, if included.
If a tenant finds there is a problem with any of these things, the tenant should inform the landlord immediately. Then, the landlord should have some reasonable amount of time to fix the problem. Some problems could be so serious (heat doesn't work in the winter, for example) that the landlord should be expected to address the problem immediately. But other problems might take longer to solve.
Cosmetic problems are generally not something the landlord fixes. An apartment should have a good paint job when it is rented. It is the tenant's job to keep the place clean. However, a tenant who has rented an apartment for years could reasonably expect the landlord to paint at some point, according to realtor.com.
A tenant should expect a rental that is quiet with no disruptions. If a neighbor in another apartment is holding parties and generally making a disturbance, it is the landlord's job to speak to the tenant.
For serious matters, a tenant has a right in some states to repair the problem and then deduct repair costs from their rent. It is always important to speak to the landlord first. The landlord might be amenable to this arrangement, especially if the repair will cost him about the same as what he would spend.
It is always best not to withhold rent. In some states, it might be legal, in others not. But, by keeping up with payments, you have a stronger case should the matter go to court.
