What constitutes harassment of a tenant by a landlord?

Harassment of a tenant by a landlord is characterized by actions that disrupt a tenant's right to peaceful enjoyment of their home. This includes any attempts to intimidate or disturb the tenant, which undermines their ability to live in the property without unreasonable interference. Such harassment can manifest in various forms, such as making threats, conducting unwarranted inspections, or creating an environment that instills fear or anxiety in the tenant.

When landlords interfere with a tenant’s enjoyment of their property, it breaches basic tenant rights and can contribute to a hostile living situation. The significance of this is rooted in landlord-tenant laws, which are designed to protect tenants from abusive practices and ensure a stable, peaceful living environment.

In contrast, conducting regular maintenance is a necessary and expected action that landlords must take to ensure the property remains safe and habitable. Increasing rent typically requires proper notification as per lease agreements and local laws, and even refusal to make necessary repairs may not fall under the legal definition of harassment unless it is accompanied by intimidating behaviors that infringe upon the tenant's rights. Thus, it is the nature of the landlord's actions, particularly those that seek to intimidate and disturb, that defines harassment.