My ceiling/tiles have been leaking since Oct. of 2005. It only started with one tile but became worse over the year. It literally rains inside my apt. when it rains out and has affected 11 tiles now. I made the mistake of only putting a request in writing for repair once but have documented every conversation, days they came in to look at it, days when it was supposedly fixed, and a few weeks ago when a professional finally came in. (The pro did say to call if the problem wasn't fixed.) My landlord told me several times that if worse came to worse they would put a tarp over the roof. I have requested this repeatedly and this much I have in writing. I paid my November rent and the landlord(s) said that they don't want to deal with the "leaks" problem anymore and that they just wanted to use the apt for storage. IMPORTANT: They have not been claiming this apt. on their taxes (it's connected to their house) for the last 13 yrs and I believe they are afraid to get caught. Mold too
2006-10-28 13:56:15 · 10 answers · asked by LuvsKitty's 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
UPDATE: Low and behold, they served me a 30 day WRITTEN, but very inaccurate, notice to leave by Nov 30th. This came following a complaint filed to the board of health just today. (They will be here tomorrow.) The letter states/names the landlord as the landlady's husband, Joe. He told me repeatedly that he is NOT my/the landlord. He just does the repairs. His wife owns the house. She is the landlady. Also, they will not produce receipts for me proving that I lived here since Sept. 2005. Plenty of relatives/friends/neighbors as witnesses. AND no, I am not leaving. I will wait for the 30 days and let it proceed to court. I am covered. They do not have a good reason for asking me to leave other than, "we don't want to deal with the leak problem anymore". Sorry but I'm standing up for my rights and fighting tooth & nail. I will later decide AFTER the hearing if I chose to leave. The judge will not ask me to leave because there is not good enough reason. Again, this was a verbal lease.
2006-10-30 10:00:08 · update #1
first question? do you have a rent book or receipts of payment?
If so and you have been in the property for more than a year, then you have in practice a secure tenancy. If this is the case then your landlord/landlady is legally responsible for making sure that all external repairs to the building are kept up to date in order to safeguard your health and safety, if the owner of the property is not declaring your rent as income on their tax return, which may well be the case, then obviously they are breaking the law. They may also be breaking local authority planning laws by not declaring the apartment as being let, you would do well to refer this to the citizens advice bureau as they will be able to give you free legal advice if you cannot afford a solicitor.
2006-10-28 14:17:41 · answer #1 · answered by a1ways_de1_lorri_2004 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You may find that the landlord will not allow you to organise repairs. If you do and problem is not resolved, they could then point blame at you. If you do have work done, unless the landlord has agreed it in writing I doubt if they will pay for it.
The best thing you can do is look for another apartment because it sounds like they want you out. Bit of a difficult situation if you dont have a proper legal agreement but it may be worth speaking to local council or citizen's advise beauru. If you do have a tenancy agreement, by law, they have to keep the property wind and watertight. It may be worthwhile pointing out the obvious to your landlord - HIS property is being damaged and this will devalue his house.
It's a sad fact that some landlords just want to grab the money and give nothing back in return.
How do you know they do not pay tax on income from apartment - if you are 100% sure of this, you could use that information to 'encourage' them to rectify leaks - fix the leak or you will speak to taxman - its playing dirty but then so are they.
You may find yourself being told to leave no matter what you do - good luck
2006-10-29 00:23:41 · answer #2 · answered by geminii_lady_in_fife 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't you get the massage ..you are not wanted any more
they want you out ..because you are a pain in the neck
you keep on pestering the land lords and upsetting them..
What you should have done after couple of warnings ..was to have it repaired.. and diplomatically and
nicely ask for your money back.. from the land lord ..
You know full well never to lock horns with a land lord ..you come out losing every time
2006-10-28 14:10:27 · answer #3 · answered by JJ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is the landlords responsibility to ensure that the property meets the required legal standards. Contact a solicitor.
2006-10-29 22:07:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
its not worth it. look for another legal apartment. the rent will be higher but you wont have to deal with the repeated calls or rain in your ceiling.
2006-10-28 14:56:19 · answer #5 · answered by Cymbaline 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IF I WERE YOU I WILL HOLD DECEMBERS RENT AND TAKE THE LANDLORD TO COURT SO HE CAN REPAIR WHAT IS DAMAGE , BY LAW IN MOST OF THE STATES HES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR AND COST OF IT.
2006-10-28 14:10:13 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why are you subjecting yourself to that treatment? Why don't you just move out into a decent apartment with service?
Life's too short...
2006-10-28 14:32:55 · answer #7 · answered by NEWTOME 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you must do it only with the landlords permission
there are laws protecting tennants in Ireland you should check if there are any where you live.
It's not wise to do anythign when you are not the owner.
2006-10-28 14:05:02 · answer #8 · answered by . 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Contact a tenant's attorney.
2006-10-28 14:01:19 · answer #9 · answered by Rosey55 D 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
speak to the council or citizens advice bureau
2006-10-28 13:58:45 · answer #10 · answered by jo 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋