Steps that help

1. Put it in writing. Text or email the request, keep copies, and note the date. Phone calls are easy to deny.
2. Document everything: dated photos and videos of the problem, plus receipts for anything you paid for because of it.
3. Call your local housing or code enforcement office (311 in many cities) for heat, hot water, mold, pests or anything unsafe. An inspection creates an official record.
4. Know the deposit rules. Most states set a deadline for returning a deposit with an itemized list of deductions. Small claims court handles most deposit disputes without a lawyer.
5. Don't stop paying rent on your own. Rent withholding is only legal in some places and only with the right steps. Check first with local legal aid or a tenant union.
6. Lockouts, utility shutoffs and entering without notice are illegal in most places. Call the police non-emergency line or local legal aid.