what do i do if my landlord is trying to make me fix something that was already messed up when I moved in?

Question

Where my fiancee and I are living the porch is like twenty years old. The landlord has accused us of driving in drunk and hitting the porch. We don't drink and drive and our landlord is threatening us with hiring some carpenters to come fix the porch and the sending us the bill. Can he actually do this? The boards were already splitting and curling up on the ends. And most of the nails are rusted. The porch has been there our landlord says for twenty years and has never been a problem with it before. What do I do?

Answer 1

You need to look up rental laws in the state where you live.

That being said, it is the responsibility of the landlord to maintain a level of maintenance that is liveable, and not dangerous.
They may NOT pass on the direct cost to you.


On the flip side, you COULD sue him if, say, you got a cut from a rusty nail.

Answer 2

Call the Landlords and Tenants Advisory Board.

Sounds like a slum Landlord, report him as so.

Answer 3

It is the responsibility of the landlord to repair any damages to the property. whether it was caused by you or not. and he may not pass the bill to you as tenant.

Take him to Judge Judy.

Answer 4

Without proof, Landlord has nothing.

Answer 5

He owns the property, not you. Unless he can prove that you caused the damage, he cannot make you pay for it. He would have to sue you and he would lose without proof.

Answer 6

If he continues to threaten you, you should file a complaint. plus, its like that guy said, no proof, no problem.

Answer 7

call your own contractor to evaluate it and ask him what in his judgment caused the problem and when