Should I confront my landlord about a leaky roof?

Question

I just moved into this old apartment building a few months ago. Last month we had a bad rainstorm and a considerable amount of water was leaking from the roof into the stairwell. Again last week we had another storm and more water was dripping into the stairwell. My neighbors say that the water is coming into their apartment. The landlord always promises to fix it but never does. They're recent immigrants and I guess they don't want to make waves by going on a rent strike. Last month when I paid him the rent he said he would be going up on the roof to fix the leak, but he never did. What should *I* do? I certainly don't like to see water leaking into our stairwell, but is this situation bad enough for me to go on a rent strike? I'm not very good at confrontations. I don't know his address. I'm paying him good money for this apartment and I signed a 12 month lease with him. It's already the 5th of the month and I still haven't paid the rent. How should I handle this?

Answer 1

Does the stairwell situation really affect you very much? If not, you might get satisfaction in knowing that the landlord by not fixing the leak is slowly but seriously damaging his property. So long as it doesn't affect you, let the dufus ruin his apartment building, then move somewhere nice when your lease is up.

Answer 2

Your remedies depend on the laws in your state. In all states you must give the landlord written notice of the need for repairs except in the case of emergency. Some states allow you to make the repairs yourself and deduct the cost from the rent. Other states allow you to withhold payment of rent until the repairs are made. However this only applies if the need for repair is in your apartment, not within a common area like a stairwell unless it is damaging your property or causing a dangerous condition.

Give the landlord a letter informing him that there is a leak in the stairwell which he has promised to fix and he has failed to do so. Also say in the letter that the leak in the stairwell is creating a dangerous condition (slippery if not carpeted, mold if carpeted) and that he has 7 days to make repairs or you will avail yourself of legal remedies. Then go to http://realestate.findlaw.com/tenant to read about the landlord's repair responsibilities and click on the Resources link to get the details for your state.

Answer 3

This is awful. First, pay the rent--since your landlord doesnt know how upset you are, not paying the rent is not helpful and will just land you on Judge Judy.

Second, you need to talk to your landlord, very clearly and calmly. Work out a situation, perhaps where you pay less rent until the roof is fixed. You dont want this situation to escalate!

Good luck!

Answer 4

One thing you can do is to send your landlord a certified letter stating the problem with the roof in detail and the promises he has made to fix it and then failed to do. The next thing is to state that unless the landlord fixes the problem in 30 days from the date of the letter you will arrange to have the work done at your own expense and deduct the cost of the repair from your rent. send a copy of this to him both certified mail return receipt and regular mail, and if the work is not done in 30 days hire a contractor to do it. if the landlord then tries to evict you for non-payment of rent you will have written evidence to show the judge.

Do not do anything dumb as a "rent strike". I used to wish my tenants would not pay the rent so I could drag their butts into court. You have to account for the rent and you do not simply not pay it without notice to the landlord that it is going to critical repairs he refuses to make, and his refusal to make the repairs is something you have to be able to show.

Answer 5

I think the best thing thing to do is to sue him. You have rights and as a landlord he has to keep the apartment in good condition. I suggest you also go on a rent strike.

Answer 6

No, your landlord isn't in charge for injury to your individual assets with the aid of a leaky roof. You with the aid of fact the tenant are one hundred% in charge for any damages to your individual assets. you may record a declare against your renter's coverage in case you have been smart sufficient to purchase a coverage. you will desire to evaluate this a painful getting to know journey.

Answer 7

if the leak aint in your apartment just in the stairwell, why do you even care? let the idiot ruin his own building if he wants

Answer 8

Stay cool at first. You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.