How do I get my landlord to fix things in my house?

Question

The doors are drafty. You can actually see all the way around the doors. Weather stripping doesn't work as the door frame and door aren't lined up because the house is sinking and lopsided.
Anyhow, I mentioned that I needed new doors because of the $400 a month heating bill in the winter. He LAUGHED and said that he remembered how drafty that house was. I told him that I have a newborn and don't want to spend all winter in a bedroom with a space heater and he said that he doesn't see any reason to fix the doors as I have lived there for over 2 years and know how cold it gets in the winter (I live in Minnesota). The door, if you don't lock it, even blows open sometimes with a firm wind. What do I do? I told him that if we don't new doors then we wouldn't be able to afford to live there with the high electric prices. HELP!

Answer 1

Sounds like he is not going to help you and could care less about your situation. Before it gets too cold, find a new place to live because you can't force him to replace that door. The house has a door (as far as he is concerned) and the thing is, is not breaking any laws. Find a new place and get moved before dead of winter makes it so hard that you can't. Sorry

Answer 2

Well, under the scenario you describe there might not be a lot that you can do, unfortunately. Except move when your lease it up.

The landlord has an obligation to keep the property "habitable" or fit for human occupancy. There's a lot of wiggle room with that concept. Leaky roofs or sewage backing up into the property would clearly indicate that the property is not habitable. A door that won't stay shut when locked might fit that criteria as well, though somewhat less so.

Drafty windows and doors would be a weak spot in most jurisdictions considering habitability. Although air leakage around doors and windows will drive up heating costs, lack of insulation, especially in the attic, will cost far more in the long run. I'd wager that this place has little if any attic insulation.

Adding weather stripping yourself may be your only realistic option. There is weather stripping that will cover large gaps; you'll have to shop around a bit but it is out there.

He also has a very good point about your having been there for two years. If it was as bad as you say, I'd have been gone like a bad memory after the first winter!

Answer 3

Write a letter requesting the work be completed in a timely fashion, then send it certified mail so that you have proof that it was received. In the letter mention that the door is causing unsafe and intolerable living conditions sighting that they are visible gaps between the door and the fame as well as the door does not close completely and will latch closed. Take pictures for your records as well as keeping a copy. If he does not respond with-in seven days send a second letter, certified mail, restating the problem and mention that he needs to complete the repairs in a timely fashion or you will seek reparations as well as withholding rent. After seven more day send a third, labeled final notice, that you have sought the recommendations of your attorney and you will be withholding rent until the repairs are made. Don't pay rent and go seek legal council. It the house has conditions that are unsafe then he is required by law to make repairs within a "timely" manner. He also can not evict you for writing these letter or with holding rent. All this said i recommend you go get an attorney that is versed in Tenant/landlord disputes, often they will give a free session or council in attempts to retain your business. Once he makes repairs you are liable for rent, that month from the date thee repairs are made to the end of the month. If rent is 1000 and he fixes the door on the 15th you owe 500. Good luck.

Answer 4

That is totally unacceptable and illegal. You as a renter have the right to decent living conditions. Do you have an attorney who can help you through the steps on how to make him repair? If not, call your local Fair Housing Assn. They're free and very helpful.

If you do decide to withhold rent, open a second checking or savings account just for the rent. That way you have proof that you're withholding, and of course don't use it for any other purpose. State that in the letter, you can tell the landlord what bank, but don't give out the account number!

Also, if he tries to evict you and a newborn baby in the dead of winter, he'll lose in court for a variety of reasons. Hopefully it won't go that far.

Try Fair Housing. They're excellent.

Answer 5

Try contacting you City code enforcement maybe they can help. A quick fix that may help is to cover the door with plastic, if you have another way to enter and exit the house. Different states have different groups that help tenants deal with landlords. Try the phone book or search on the web for more info. Good Luck KG

Answer 6

Contact your local County office of Landlord Tenant disputes. We had a very similar situation and had the county come and inspect our house and found numerous deficiencies, to which they court ordered our landlord to correct or face large fines. One of these deficiencies were windows that did not properly shut and doors that had gaps. Every county is different, but they usually have statutes which prevent landlords from renting out houses that do not meet the basic shelter definition.

Hope this helps,

BadMark

Answer 7

threaten to call the better business bureau & report him for bad business practices & also threaten to call local tv stations & see if they will do a story about him not being a good landlord & all that like some stations have a solving problems team that will get it fixed your doors fixed. see if that scares him in to fixing the stuff if it don't then do as you threaten also if you can find another place to move to that's better you can break your renters agreement because of him not fixing what needs to be fixed

Answer 8

Well the landlord does have to provide for a healthy environment if he does not then it's constructive eviction but given that you need to determine those big legal words you best talk to an attorney but here is what your state says.
STATE’S WEB SITE: http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/home.do?agency=NorthStar
LANDLORD TENANT ACT: http://www.ag.state.mn.us/CONSUMER/housing/lt/default.htm
Buena Suerte

Answer 9

Move. What happens when the furnace goes on a Saturday night this January?
.

Answer 10

You need to investigate the laws regarding landlord responsibilities in your area. Still, the best solution might be to move.