My landlord refuses to fix a problem in my apartment?

Question

My landlord is refusing to fix my bathtub in my apartment. i have already cut my foot on the crack once and everytime i want to take a nice relaxing bath after a hard days work i can't because of the cracking pinching my butt.. Can i hold out rent and make them fix it and also can they evict me for not paying them?
ps. i live in lebanon Virginia

Answer 1

Serious repair issues, such as faulty electrical wiring, gas leaks, and structural damage may be violations of the local building code which should be brought to the attention of the Building Inspection office for your city or county. The Building Inspector may inspect your building, and if warranted, issue a citation to the landlord for any violations that require repairs. Section 55-248.13 of the VRLTA outlines the duties and responsibilities of the landlord to maintain the rental property.

For issues not involving safety, you should advise the landlord in writing of the specific items needing repair. The letter should state that the landlord has 21 days from the date of receipt to make the repairs. You should consider sending the letter via certified mail so the delivery date is noted. If repairs are still not made, the tenant may place the rent in an escrow account with the General District Court having jurisdiction in that locality. This action is detailed in Section 55-248.27 of the VRLTA.

The contact information for the appropriate General District Court in your locality is available from the Virginia Supreme Court Web site. You may also wish to check your local telephone directory.

Answer 2

You can go to the bank and pay the rent to an escrow account. Forward a copy of the escrow account payment to the landlord.

Legally you've made your payment, so you cannot be evicted for non-payment. Legally the landlord cannot retrieve the funds unless the repairs are made.

I used this tactic years ago. The landlord fixed everything, then we released the funds.

Answer 3

Other than move? WHen you go to court for the eviction make sure you have all the evidence of the problems he didn't fix. It also isn't a bad idea to put the amount you aren't paying for rent each month into a separate bank account so you can show the judge that you were ready and willing to pay if the problems were fixed.

Answer 4

You can hold back the rent and put it in an escrow account. Your landlord will eventually take you to court and as long as you show the judge your escrow account with the funds in it and tell him why you have held back payment, you'll be fine.

If you have pictures of the cut you may be able to sue your landlord as well.

Good luck to you.

Answer 5

I believe all states have a "repair and deduct" option. Notify your landlord that you are going to have someone do the repairs, and then deduct it from the next month's rent; send him the receipt. That should spur him into action.

Don't withhold rent. He can evict you for that.

Answer 6

You can, but shouldn't, hold out rent to get them to fix it because yes they can evict you for not paying them. You can report them to your State/Town's housing authority becuase it IS against the law for them to not fix things.

Answer 7

A lawyer is the best way to go. If your landlord gets a letter from your lawyer; he/she will get moving.

Answer 8

CALL A LAWYER. YOU'D BE SURPRISED HOW FAST YOUR LANDLORD WILL FIX WHATEVER PROBLEM YOU HAVE WITH YOUR APARTMENT ONCE THEY GET A LETTER FROM A LAWYER.

Answer 9

check the contract