English Deutsch Français Italiano Español Português 繁體中文 Bahasa Indonesia Tiếng Việt ภาษาไทย
All categories

A friend of mine has paid her rent on time every month. She has just bought a house, and given them proper notice to break the lease 2 months early. This apartment building has made her and her family go with out water for 3 weeks, never fixed a mold problem, never replaced an oven with a crack in it-that rusted through, amongst other things... Now they are giving her a hard time with paying extra penalties....besides the penalties for breaking the lease two months earlier

She has proof and witnesses on these living conditions that she was forced to live under, but doesn't know what her rights are...

She is a good person that's works hard for her money and I hate seeing her get screwed by these corporate slugs.. What can she do?

If you prefer to email me.. feel free to IM me through my blog

2006-06-27 07:40:59 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government Law & Ethics

This is through the Common Wealth of Pennsylvania and she just moved out this past weekend... They are still bothering her for more money and she already paid the fees for breaking the lease 2 months early

2006-06-27 08:07:18 · update #1

22 answers

Check with state attourney general for a statement of what a tenant's rights are for. She will probably be able to take him to small claims court and win.

2006-06-27 07:44:18 · answer #1 · answered by Norm 5 · 1 0

It is too late do take any action on the landlord deficiencies of the past. If there were some long term health problems caused by living in this slum you could sue.

Is this a rent controlled apartment. Most jurisdictons have some sort of housing authority that may order the landlord to stop asking for payment if there was good reason for leaving. Check with your City Hall.

2006-06-27 07:55:19 · answer #2 · answered by Kenneth H 5 · 0 0

Breaking a lease and the property owners not doing repairs are two completely separate issues. The fact is, she broke her lease. She might be able to negotiate with them for a reduction in what she owes.

As far as the lack of maintenance issue, since she's moving out, it's pretty much a non-issue. That is unless they attempt to charge her for those things. Then the only hope she has is any documentation where she had previously contacted them.

2006-06-27 07:47:45 · answer #3 · answered by kathy059 6 · 0 0

There is small claims court. She can file at the local court office. Just make sure that she knows exactly what she wants from the settlement should they find in her favor before she goes to file the papers because she will need to put that in the original paperwork. Also she will only get one chance to prove her story to the judge so she will need to make sure she is fully prepared when they schedule a court date. She should also be prepared for the landlord to file a counter suit, but do not be intimidated it's all part of the process.

2006-06-27 07:46:19 · answer #4 · answered by B 7 · 0 0

A mold problem is a health code violation and constitutes an unlivable condition. Inform the landlord that if he does not rescind his request for penalties you will take him to court and get back the rent you already paid for the time you lived there with mold.

2006-06-27 07:44:00 · answer #5 · answered by James 7 · 0 0

she needs to have proof and witnesses to bring them to small claims court but believe me when i say proof. what she should do is contact the health dept and prove that there are mold problems get it on paper. the fact that there was no water distributed to the apartment for three weeks that can be shown from the water dept. that is considered a condemed place to live when there is no water and u pay the rent which is illegal. she can even call her local housing dept and ask what her rights are. do a search on google and ask tenet landlord rights.

2006-06-27 07:46:42 · answer #6 · answered by wedjb 6 · 0 0

You need to have her get her contract she signed with the land-owner. She should have a copy. In it, there should be some clauses dealing with the above circumstances. Check with an attorney on the matter to determine what the state law is. Most states have laws that require the owner to take care of such things. If it is as you say, it should be relatively simple to sue and win.

2006-06-27 07:47:20 · answer #7 · answered by rliedtky 2 · 0 0

It probably would have been easier for her to complain( in writing, keep a copy, preferably certified mail--keep the proof) while she was living there.... I believe that no water and mold (which can be deadly) makes the place uninhabitable. Aren't there any renters' rights places in your area? Usually there's at least a local agency that deals with slum lords.

2006-06-27 07:46:30 · answer #8 · answered by May East 1 · 0 0

wow. I hope your friend took photos of the mess her landlord made her live in. Every state or province has different laws regulating landlord tenent relationships. If she has photos of the mold and the broken oven those will help her win her case and get the slumlord off her back. good luck

2006-06-27 07:43:35 · answer #9 · answered by WhatAmI? 7 · 0 0

tell her to file a complaint at 311 an housing inspector was inspect the premises and fine that building up.... Also have her go to the housing court and file against them, you won't have to pay anything, they will give you a city lawyer and could have up to 6 months to a year free rent...

2006-06-27 07:46:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

fedest.com, questions and answers