| Tenant Protected Actions |
|
| Landlord Retaliatory Actions |
|
| Penalties for Retaliation |
|
When Is It Illegal for Landlords to Retaliate in Alaska?
In Alaska, it’s illegal for landlords to retaliate by raising rent, reducing services, or threatening eviction or other civil action, except for good cause like unpaid rent or lease violations. The law assumes retaliation after tenants have:
- Reported violations to the government.
- Complained to the landlord about maintenance.
- Participated in a tenant organization.
- Pursued rights under Alaska’s Uniform Residential Landlord-Tenant Act.
What Can Tenants Do in Response in Alaska?
Alaska tenants can respond by suing to recover quiet possession of the rental property or by ending the rental agreement after proper notice. In either case, the tenant can recover one and one-half times the expenses caused, plus attorney fees.
Sources
- 1 Alaska Stat. § 34.03.310(a) (2021)
-
“Except as provided in (c) and (d) of this section [nonpayment of rent; tenant malfeasance; good-faith reasons for possession such as sale; good-faith reasons to raise rent], a landlord may not retaliate by increasing rent or decreasing services or by bringing or threatening to bring an action for possession after the tenant has (1) complained to the landlord of a violation of AS 34.03.100 [landlord’s duties]; (2) sought to enforce rights and remedies granted the tenant under this chapter; (3) organized or become a member of a tenant’s union or similar organization; or (4) complained to a governmental agency responsible for enforcement of governmental housing, wage, price, or rent controls.”
Source Link - 2 Alaska Stat. § 34.03.210 (2021)
-
“[If the landlord retaliates,] the tenant may recover possession or terminate the rental agreement and, in either case, recover an amount not to exceed one and one-half times the actual damages.”
Source Link - 3 Alaska Stat. § 34.03.350 (2021)
-
“Attorney fees shall be allowed to the prevailing party in any proceeding arising out of this chapter, or a rental agreement.”
Source Link
