heres the situation PLEASE HELP!! ok, ilive in a trailor that has no windows (just storm windows) and the floor behind my washer is caving in and when i told my landlord about it, he said"just throw a board over it." my heat runs non stop because of the window situation - wasting what we pay to keep us and our kids warm. when i first moved in here i wrote down a list of problems and NOTHING has been fixed. also does a lease agreement have to be notorized to be binding? I just want out!!!
2006-12-05 10:11:37 · 11 answers · asked by trrcrm 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
yes under renters rights, they are obligated to have proper walls, plumping, heating, and bathing fixtures. If it is unlivable, you can say it is a defaulted lease. Our downstairs apartment had the ceiling collapse due to a water main break in the house upstairs. My landlord said he couldn't fix it for several weeks. We were out in a matter of days and he tried to fight me on it but I threw the renters right's handbook on the table as I walked out and he shut right up.
2006-12-05 10:21:36 · answer #1 · answered by TrixyLoo 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To the best of my knowledge, a lease agreement does not have to be notarized.
Often a lease agreement will include something like, "For repairs under x amount the tenant will do them, for repairs over x amount the tenant will ask for the landlord's approval but the landlord will cover it if he/she approves of the repair, and for repairs over x amount inform the landlord, who will get the repairs made."
On the one hand, your state probably has an agency that deals with landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities; and there could be an attorney who specializes in landlord/tenant issues who would tell you your rights without charge (legal services or an attorney who would just give you some information).
On the other hand (as much as you may think you shouldn't have to do this), could you (just for now) put some of that plastic designed to put over windows in Winter for added insulation? For now it may help save your heat. And could you - for now - get a board or some piece of sheeting material from a hardware store for the other problem?
One note: You may want to ask an attorney or someone at a state agency whether there is a security risk to having only storm windows. You have children, and you have a right to be safe. If, by any chance, this would be an issue it may give you something to go on besides the heat-expense issue.
You may want to also look into whether there is a law that says a unit must have its own windows regardless of whether it has storm windows or not. (You know how there are laws that say a place needs running water? Well, maybe there's a law that says "real" windows and doors are also a must.)
Many times landlords know they can rent a place, and if you tell them you want to move they'll just agree to break the lease.
I think you should talk to an attorney and find out if you have grounds to break the lease. If you don't then ask the attorney what your next step should be. You could always move out first and deal with everything else in court later if necessary.
You may also want to ask if the caving in floor constitutes a hazard to you and especially your children; and ask if there's anything (drafts, mold, chemical smells, gases, etc.) that could be coming through the caved in floor and into the unit.
2006-12-05 10:39:17 · answer #2 · answered by WhiteLilac1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, a lease does not have to be notorized - if you signed it, it's a binding contract.
If your living situation is unbearable or hazardous (I'm not sure if it is), you most likely have grounds to break the lease (breach of the warranty of habitability). Laws vary state to state.
Your state may have a legal procedure called "repair and deduct." If the landlord has failed to fix a truly significant problem, you may, without permission and without filing a lawsuit, have defects or other problems repaired and subtract the cost of the repairs from the next month's rent.
Some minor problems may violate local building or housing codes. Call the agency that enforces these codes in your area to find out. (Look under the city or county government listings of your phone book.) Officials at the agency should be able to explain whether your problem violates local or state codes, and may be able to take action against your landlord.
2006-12-05 10:20:33 · answer #3 · answered by Lexi P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lease agreement does not have to be notorized to make it binding. What you need to do is go to your housing athority. If you don't know how to find them, call the police and ask who you would contact in your situation. They will be more than happy to help you out. He's a Slum Lord. It's illegal for them to keep you living like that. You can defenitly hold payment of the lease until your stuff gets fixed.
2006-12-05 10:23:20 · answer #4 · answered by jdecorse25 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not aware of a lease needing to be notarized to be binding. You can break most leases when the landlord doesn't fix things which affect habitability. Habitability issues would include heating, cooling, leaking roof, etc. It's hard to know whether the problems you have described would create a situation where the trailer is uninhabitable. You might need to contact legal services in your community on this one.
2006-12-05 10:22:25 · answer #5 · answered by Mrs. Strain 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Renter/landlord rules vary from town to town. You have an affordable housing advocate in your area. You need to call social services and ask for how to get in touch with them. They will be able to help you. One thing to do is to pay your rent into an escrow account, but you need a lawyer for that, which can get expensive. You may be able to get the same service for free from social services. If you just move out, you could get sued or the landlord could go after your paycheck. Get legal advice. Look online for public advocacy or tenant's rights or affordable housing -- that sort of thing.
2006-12-05 10:23:22 · answer #6 · answered by Tom M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did they check your credit if you moved in. If they did, you have a 50/50 chance that he doesn't have the ability to report to the credit agencies. If you break the lease he will just keep the deposit and give you a bad referral if your next landlord calls. He sounds like a slumlord and if thats true he wont report you. SUe him or move out
2006-12-05 10:24:07 · answer #7 · answered by act as if 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fourth commandment is got here upon contained in the confines of the former covenant; a legally binding contract between both activities, God and Israel. you're making a time-honored blunders in believing Christians are by some ability a celebration to this covenant. Christians are celebration to the recent covenant that does no longer contain the statement of days. You ask, what change into Jesus speaking about at the same time as He stated "we" ought to obey the commandments. you're in blunders. He under no circumstances stated "we" had to attempt the style of element. .
2016-11-23 18:49:39 · answer #8 · answered by obyrne 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but that don't mean that it will be easy.
Send him a registered letter telling how you gave him a list of the things that needed fixing (And the date,) Add to the list any thing else that you fell needs to be fixed. Give him a week or so to answer.
He should get back to you & tell you what he is going to do & when.
If you are unhappy with what he says & does, then it's time for you to go to the proper government official & ask for their help.
2006-12-05 10:26:56 · answer #9 · answered by Floyd B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
heat water and lights are all he has to provide.
2006-12-05 11:47:55 · answer #10 · answered by jgmafb 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋