Tenants cannot refuse to pay rent. However, there is only one situation where a tenant can refuse to pay rent. When a landlord and tenant have a written lease, the landlord must give the tenant with a signed copy of lease within 21 days of the tenant signing the lease and returning it to the landlord. If the landlord does not provide a signed copy of the lease within 21 days, the tenant can refuse to pay rent. But as soon as the landlord provides a signed copy, the tenant must pay the landlord the withheld rent.
If a tenant does not pay rent for any other reason, the landlord can take steps to end the tenancy.
For more information on evictions, go to the Eviction Notice section of this website.
December 2023
