The Landlord and Tenant Act provides that the landlord must:
(1) make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable
condition;
(2) keep all common areas of the premises in a clean and safe condition;
(3) maintain in good and safe working order and condition all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, kitchen, and other facilities and appliances, including elevators, supplied or required to be supplied by the landlord;
(4) provide and maintain appropriate receptacles and conveniences for the removal of ashes, garbage, rubbish, and other waste incidental to the occupancy of the dwelling unit and arrange for their removal;
(5) supply running water and reasonable amounts of hot water and heat at all times, insofar as energy conditions permit, except where the building that includes the dwelling unit is so constructed that heat or hot water is generated by an installation within the exclusive control of the tenant and supplied by a direct public utility connection;
(6) if requested by the tenant, provide and maintain locks and furnish keys reasonably adequate to ensure safety to the tenant’s person and property; and
(7) provide smoke detection devices as required under AS 18.70.095.
Examples of typical property maintenance duties which may fall under these statutory provisions include the landlord’s duty to maintain:
• doors, windows, roof, floors, walls and ceilings, ensuring that they do not leak or have holes;
• plumbing that works, does not leak, and provides hot and cold water at reasonable water pressure;
• a working, safe stove and oven;
• a reliable heating system which provides adequate heat to all rooms;
• a safe electrical wiring system (with no loose or exposed wires, sockets that do not spark and adequate circuit breakers);
• windows or fans that provide fresh air;
• enough garbage cans or dumpsters to provide an adequate and safe trash removal service;
• extermination service if roaches, rats, mice or other pests infest the building, apartment or property;
• proper maintenance of any vacuum cleaners, washing machines, dishwashers, etc., supplied by the
landlord (when not abused or broken by the tenant); and
• properly working smoke detectors.