Eviction & moving out
Can my landlord evict me for complaining?
No - eviction, rent hikes, or service cuts in response to repair requests, code complaints, or organizing are illegal retaliation in almost every state.
Anti-retaliation laws protect the acts that keep rentals safe: requesting repairs, reporting code violations, joining a tenant union, asserting legal rights. Many states presume retaliation when adverse action follows a protected act within 6-12 months, flipping the burden onto the landlord.
Protection isn't immunity - you can still be evicted for non-payment or genuine lease violations. The shield is against punishment for the complaint itself, and written complaints are what make the timeline provable.
Do something about it
The Maintenance request letter turns this answer into action.
General educational information, not legal advice. Laws vary by state and city and change over time - for a specific situation, contact a local tenant-rights organization.