Can a Landlord Force a Tenant to Pay for Repairs?

A landlord can only make you pay for repairs stemming from damage that you (or your guests) caused. These kinds of damages need to go beyond what's considered to be normal “wear and tear”. For instance, paint fading over time due to sun damage (and not by any act of your own) would be considered normal wear and tear that your landlord is responsible for repairing. On the other hand if you were to make a hole in the wall then you're almost definitely responsible for paying for it.

As a general rule, if there is a major problem that affects your basic ability to live safely and comfortably on the property, then the problem is covered by the warranty of habitability in your state and you can’t be charged for it.