Which law requires landlords to maintain the property in a habitable condition?

The Implied Warranty of Habitability is the law that mandates landlords to ensure that rental properties meet basic living standards and are maintained in a habitable condition. This legal principle holds that a landlord must provide residential premises that are safe, clean, and fit for human habitation. This means that essential services such as heat, running water, and sanitary conditions must be upheld throughout the tenancy.

The importance of this legal responsibility lies in its protective aspect for tenants, ensuring that they have a livable environment. If a landlord fails to address issues that undermine the habitability of the property, tenants typically have the right to seek remedies, which may include repair requests, rent withholding, or even legal action for breaches of this implied warranty.

Other options, while related to landlord-tenant interactions and property management, do not specifically impose the same direct responsibility on landlords regarding property condition as the Implied Warranty of Habitability does. Such distinctions highlight why this answer is the correct choice within the context of property management.