What must a tenant do before terminating a rental agreement due to noncompliance?

Before terminating a rental agreement due to noncompliance, a tenant is required to provide written notice to the landlord. This written notification serves as a formal communication outlining the issues of noncompliance and indicates the tenant's intent to terminate the lease if those issues are not resolved. It is essential to provide this written notice because it establishes a clear and documented record of the tenant's concerns and gives the landlord an opportunity to address the issues before the tenant takes further action. This step is often outlined in landlord-tenant laws, which aim to ensure that both parties are aware of the situation and have the chance to rectify it when possible.

The other options do not fulfill the legal requirements typically set forth in rental agreements or tenant laws. For instance, notifying the landlord verbally may not provide the necessary documentation, while filing a complaint in court or requesting mediator involvement may be more formal steps that come later and after the initial written notice has been issued.