The Alaska Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act allows tenants the following remedies if landlords don’t provide running water, hot water, heat, and other essential services to the rental property:
Tenant Remedies
If, contrary to the rental agreement or the requirements under the section Alaska Landlord Responsibility to Maintain Premises, the landlord deliberately or negligently fails to supply running water, hot water, heat, sanitary facilities, or other essential services, the tenant may give written notice to the landlord specifying the breach and may immediately:
- Procure reasonable amounts of hot water, running water, heat, sanitary facilities, and essential services during the period of the landlord’s noncompliance and deduct their actual and reasonable cost from the rent;
- Recover damages based on the diminution in the fair rental value of the dwelling unit; or
- Procure reasonable substitute housing during the period of the landlord’s noncompliance, in which case the tenant is excused from paying rent for the period of the landlord’s noncompliance and, in addition, may recover the amount by which the actual and reasonable cost exceeds rent.
Note: A tenant who proceeds under this section may not proceed under the section Alaska Landlord Noncompliance as to that breach.
Deliberate or Negligent Tenant Actions
Rights do not arise under this section if the condition was caused by the deliberate or negligent act or omission of the tenant, a member of the tenant’s family, or other person on the premises with the tenant’s consent.
Article 05. Section 34.03.180.
Return to Alaska Landlord-Tenant Laws.