It is legal to stop paying rent when the landlord doesn't want to fix the boiler for heat and hot water?

Answer 1

*Every jurisdiction has different laws pertaining to landlord-tenant disputes; get a consultation with a lawyer to get the right answer to this question.

Answer 2

That is going to depend largely on where you live, as the laws vary from state to state. Most states, however, do allow you to take your landlord to small claims court. If you do not pay rent, and your landlord takes YOU to court, you would have to prove that your home was untenantable and that you had made the landlord aware of the problem. This is not always easy to do. Call legal aid in your area and ask them what your rights are.

Answer 3

Unfortunately for the renter, yes it is illegal. When you sign a lease, you are signing a legal contract, which means you must fulfill the terms under which you signed. However, if your landlord has a history of neglecting his properties, you can request an investigation by the Health Department, or Health and Human Services. Keep after them until someone shows up. It is also illegal for a landlord to rent a property that is not in proper living standard, or is not up to code for your area. Good luck!

Answer 4

No.

You must serve him good written notice that if he won't carry out the repairs you will withhold rent until it is done.

An alternate would be to inform him of the above and that if the repair is not done within, say, a month, you will arrange the repair and take payment out of the owed rent (forward him copy of receipt.)

I think the best you can do is withhold the rent, with the intention of making up arrears when you are satisfied. You might want to try to account the arrears at a slightly reduced rate due to the lack of boiler. but you won't be able to stop payments totally - you are still living there.

Best solution is to not get confontational.

Answer 5

Despite what others say, there are times when you are with-in your rights as a tenant to withhold your rent, and this seems to be a possibility. She has no right to withhold any of your goods, this is completely different that you owing rent. The only way she can take your furniture is if she goes to court and gets a bailiffs order. Contact the landlord and say that you will be arranging to move your furniture on "blah blah" date, and expect to be given access. If no access is give, you will take further action. For future reference, you should speak to enviromental health if a situation comes up again.

Answer 6

If the landlord takes you to court tell the judge that they wouldn't fix the problem so you had seen it fit not to pay for something that won't work. If the problem keeps getting worse then move out of there or try to talk to your landlord again. Good luck

Answer 7

In US you have to provide to a substinence level if you are leasing an apartment or home, or they can condemn the building heat and hotwater must be provided.
Contact the city or county health and human welfare department. While they are working on the building the landlord must provide hotel alternate housing

Laws vary but there are tenant laws if you can provide a written lease go to the city or county health department or call they may have a tenant relations supervisor in your town

Answer 8

No, it is legal but,
I think you have to send him a statement of complaint in writting concerning the boiler, & retain a copy for your records. When he tries to take you to court for his rent, you show the judge a copy of the written request to fix the heat.

Answer 9

I would hope so!

Make sure you get documentation and proof.

i.e. copy all of the correspondence with the landlord. Tape Conversations and take photographs.

Good luck. I think there is a thing called the "slum lord" law. Try looking it up.

Answer 10

Probably not. There is a correct procedure for this type of thing, and it varies by city/town. Check with your health department or city office. The landlord is in violation of your lease for not providing basic necessities.

Answer 11

Yes it is illegal. I don't know where you are, but in California you can do a deduct method for repairing items like that yourself. What you can do is effect the repair yourself and deduct the amount from your rent. Save all the receipts too. Check though because I believe there is a limit as to the dollar amount.