Conflict is inevitable in any relationship, business or personal. When conflict arises between landlords and tenants, however, the stakes are particularly high. For the renter, their home is on the line and, though they may be fully-capable of moving to a new apartment if need be, it’s still enormously inconvenient to do so on short notice. How disputes between landlords and tenants are best handled depends on the nature of the dispute.

Disputes often arise over small issues, such as a leaky faucet going unfixed and other small repairs around the house being left unaddressed. If your landlord is dragging their feet, offer to do the repair yourself—if you’re qualified—for the cost of materials and some money written off of rent. Don’t do it and then expect them to pay you without them having first agreed to such an arrangement, however. If they refuse even this and leave issues unaddressed, it may be worth your while to check with your state government. Most state governments have a special office that handles such disputes and who will inform the landlord that they are required to fulfill the terms of their lease and make repairs. Doing this, of course, is likely to make your relationship with the landlord tense. Make sure whatever happens to be the issue is worth the conflict it might cause.

If there are truly serious problems with a landlord, such as heating equipment being unsafe, broken windows, bad wiring or plumbing, etc., and the landlord refuses to address these issues, it makes sense for a tenant to get a lawyer. There are lawyers in most cities who have some specialization in landlord/tenant cases and who can help get the issues addressed. If the landlord is unlikely to address issues that pose a threat to your safety, move. A lawyer can help get your rent refunded in some cases and, in extreme cases, may be able to invoke other remedies for what you’ve endured, though it may take time.

If a dispute arises over money, which it often does, refer to the lease. The lease details your financial obligations and landlords do not have the right to violate their own leases without cause. They, just like you, are obligated to the lease terms. Do not pay rent that’s suddenly inflated beyond the lease terms and do not pay extra fees that pop up without warning or notice.

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Depending on where you live, your landlord has certain rights when it comes to raising your rent. You, as a renter, also have rights guaranteed by the city, state or country you live in. For instance, some areas publish booklets on renter’s rights that are free to anyone who request one. These booklets clearly state the legal amount that your landlord can raise your rent every year. The average is usually between 3 and 4 percent yearly, although those numbers can vary. Let’s look at a few places you can look for renter’s rights in your area.

Your best resource is going to be the Internet. Do a simple Google search for your area, such as “California renter’s rights” or “Michigan renter’s rights” to see if there is an official web page with updated and correct information. The link provided will often come with a phone number you can call, but be warned, many of these grass roots organizations are staffed strictly with volunteers who may not really know that much, so you have may have to call over and over again to get someone.

You can also try your Housing and Urban Development office in your state or city. They may have some information on the legal rights and responsibilities landlords and renters have in your area. In most cases, a landlord can not raise your rent more than once in a year, and there are caps on how much rent can be raised, especially if you live in a rent controlled area, such as Manhattan. The phone book can also be a great resource for those looking to learn about renter’s rights. Even if you know the limits on how much your landlord can raise your rent, it might be worth it to order a new copy of your local renter’s rights booklet to have on hand in case a problem ever comes up between you and your landlord.