In many places, you can send your landlord notice of what needs to be fixed, and give a reasonable time for them to do so. If they do not, you can call someone to repair it, and deduct that bill from your rent. Just notifying them of this tends to get them to fix it quick.
"I Came Back From Thanksgiving To Find That My Landlord Had Revarnished/Painted The Stairs Up To My Apartment. They Are Still Wet, I Was Given No Notice, And There Is Only One Staircase"
In many places, you can send your landlord notice of what needs to be fixed, and give a reasonable time for them to do so. If they do not, you can call someone to repair it, and deduct that bill from your rent. Just notifying them of this tends to get them to fix it quick.
I bet all that FREEDOM makes up for it, right?