I have been renting this house for 5 months and about a month ago, the ac unit went out and I called the landlord and she sent someone out the next day to fix t.(have 2 small children) Then a week after that, the whole side of the house has a power outage and is causing my bill yo go up 300.00 Then a week after that the toliet goes out. My husband tried to fix t but the Drano was not doing the job. I called her 10 times and she did not respond. So the last message I told her I was going to not pay her until she gets someone to fix it. She flat out and told me that she was not fixing anything in this house and that she was not responsible to fix anything. Going back to the lease, she suppose to fix everything that is not my fault.(major things) Then she hung the phone up in my face!! The reason I think is because I was paying her by money orders and then she stay a ways from me so I gave her 3 postdated checks.(my mistake) This house stinks.(it is 28 yrs old) My bill is high please help
2006-07-11 07:26:31 · 9 answers · asked by Tjsmom 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Start a bank account that stipulates in the paperwork that it is for the property rent witholding pending court. Type out a list of repairs needed that are covered in your county,state, city codes. (you can get this info from your city complex in the code division) Then request an imediate response from your landlord along with the list stating you will be paying rent to a holding account untill the work is done. Make sure you make two copies. Mail both certified mail with signature request. One to you and one to the landlord. (do not open your copy unless you go to court. Allow the judge to open it himself. For each stae there is a reasonable amount of time you must wait before subtracting repairs from your rent. If you do this, use a certified company and pay them with the debit card you recieve from the bank for the account. Keep all reciepts but mail a copy to the landlord certified signature requested. Sooner or later she will pay the fees to put you in the court. If you have all this documentation, you won't be the one to loose.
2006-07-11 17:42:53 · answer #1 · answered by nashvillecarter 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
LAws differ from state to state. Find out about your landlord/tenant court in your area. Most cities have laws that apply to both landlord and tenant. Usually you have to put your rent into a bank account, if you are refusing to pay, and be able to show the court you have the rent, but are not willing to pay unless the landlord fixes the property. Sounds like you have some serious electrical problems as well as plumbing problems. I'd bet dollars to donuts that your landlord is no stranger to the landlord/tenant court!! KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!!! Knowledge is POWER. Good luck!
2006-07-11 15:39:26 · answer #2 · answered by Monica E 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a landlord. We do not like tenants who constantly complain and cause us to spend money fixing things. Your landlord may not be making any money on your rent depending on the extent of the mortgage on the property. You should start being nice to your landlord and stop calling her every week with some sort of problem. Although you may think you are justified in this and perhaps you are, you will only antagonize your landlord. Try fixing these items yourself or paying someone to fix them. Do not be a tenant who thinks you just rented out that Waldorf Astoria and am entitled to room service.
2006-07-11 14:35:16 · answer #3 · answered by The Man 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Find out what the laws in your state are. Its hard to justify in court not paying your rent, for that you are wrong. Keep paying her and meanwhile find out what your proper recourse is. You don't have to afford a lawyer to file papers at the courthouse yourself you just need to research the laws in your city and state.
Don't listen to John J. either if she isn't making any money on the place now she is certainly building equity and will make money should she ever decide to flip it.
Owning rental property is an investment, investing is big business some people in any business are very poor businessmen!
2006-07-11 15:05:17 · answer #4 · answered by jagerbombmeister 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It totally depends on the state you live in. Some states have laws that protect renters rights from deadbeat landlords. And other states like the one I live in don't have any renters protection at all.
You could contact a lawyer and see what your legal rights are. Depending on your state you might even sue and win..... but if you take your landlord to court you will pay for it in the long run. He will make your life hell.
My advice? Find a better place.
mike
2006-07-11 15:13:18 · answer #5 · answered by miketyson26 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My advice to you is to get out ASAP, sounds like you have a slum-lord. Call your local city hall and ask for a housing inspector to come take a look at the electric, that'll get her to fix up HER house. Good luck!
2006-07-11 14:32:27 · answer #6 · answered by Tortured Soul 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have problems with the house, notify her in writing. Its the only proof you have to show you have told her about the problems. She is only responsible for the major things. If the toilet is broken, she has to fix it, if its just clogged, its on you.
You may have some legal recourse, depending on your state.
2006-07-11 14:32:09 · answer #7 · answered by sweettea 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
call a lawyer. I had a similar problem, and so did my mom. she started putting her rent in escrow til things got straightened out. that way you are still paying, and she can't come after you for not paying your rent.
2006-07-11 14:33:52 · answer #8 · answered by momx4 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a lawyer. she is wrong! Or move.
2006-07-11 14:32:24 · answer #9 · answered by amylr620 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋