Use our free know your rights checker tool to find out what the law says about your situation. Select your state and what happened — the tool gives you a plain-English answer, your immediate next step, and links to the resources that can help.
Know Your Rights Checker Tool – Best Free Guide (2026)
How to Use This Know Your Rights Checker Tool
Step 1: Select your state. Every state has different tenant protection laws. The know your rights checker tool covers all 50 states with data verified against primary state statutes as of June 2026.
Step 2: Select what happened. Choose from seven common scenarios: landlord entered without notice, won’t make repairs, locked you out, withheld your deposit, raised your rent, served an eviction notice, or is retaliating against you.
Step 3: Read your rights and next step. The tool shows your state’s specific rule for that situation, what to do immediately, any relevant deadline, and a link to the matching state guide and free legal aid.
Know Your Rights Checker
Something happened with your landlord? Select your state and situation to see what the law says and what to do next.
Verify with your state court or a local legal-aid office before acting.
What Your Results Include
The know your rights checker tool gives you a plain-English explanation of your state’s law for your specific situation. For entry-without-notice complaints, you’ll see the exact number of hours your landlord must give (24 hours in most states, 48 in some). For repair issues, you’ll see whether your state allows repair-and-deduct or rent withholding. For lockouts, you’ll see whether self-help eviction is banned and what to do immediately.
Each result also links directly to the matching tool for deeper analysis: the eviction timeline calculator for eviction notices, the security deposit estimator for deposit disputes, and the rent increase checker for unfair rent hikes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is the know your rights checker tool?
Every answer is based on primary state statutes verified as of June 2026. Entry notice requirements, self-help eviction bans, repair remedies, and retaliation protections were cross-checked against state legislature websites and legal-aid sources. However, some cities have additional local protections — always verify with a legal-aid office.
Does this know your rights checker tool give legal advice?
No. This tool provides general legal information based on state statutes. It is not a substitute for professional legal advice. If you are in a dispute with your landlord, contact a local tenant rights attorney or free legal-aid organization.
What scenarios does this tool cover?
The tool covers seven common landlord-tenant conflicts: unauthorized entry, repair refusal, illegal lockouts and utility shutoffs, security deposit withholding, unfair rent increases, eviction notices, and landlord retaliation. Each answer is tailored to your state’s specific laws.
Can my landlord enter my apartment without notice?
In most states, no — your landlord must give at least 24 hours’ written notice before entering (48 hours in some states like Delaware, Hawaii, Kentucky, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington). Exceptions apply for emergencies. A few states (Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, West Virginia) have no specific statutory entry-notice requirement.
Can my landlord retaliate against me for complaining?
In most states, landlord retaliation is explicitly prohibited. If you filed a complaint, requested repairs, or joined a tenant organization, your landlord cannot raise your rent, reduce services, or threaten eviction in response. A few states (Arkansas, Idaho, Louisiana, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wyoming) have limited or no anti-retaliation protections.
Sources
All data is sourced from primary state statutes, Nolo, and state legal-aid organizations. For the most current version of any state law, visit your state legislature’s website or consult a licensed attorney.
External resources: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) · Legal Services Corporation — Find Free Legal Aid
Informational only — not legal advice. Laws change and may vary by city or county. Verify with your state court or a local legal-aid office before acting.