implied warranty of habitability

implied warranty of habitability

(1) A legal doctrine that imposes on a landlord the obligation to make leased premises ready for occupancy in a safe, healthy, and nonhazardous condition and with the minimal amenities necessary for the provision of heat and water,although not including the utilities themselves. Many states have passed uniform landlord tenant laws, changing the implied warranty into an expressly articulated and defined legal obligation of the landlord. (2) State law may also imply similar warranties for new home builders.