I guess I am going to have to proceed with suing my current landlord.?

Question

When I looked at this apartment the landlord said that he still had some work to do on it before I moved in. That evening we signed the "rental agreement" and I paid rent, deposit, etc. Because the landlord lives in Los Angeles and wasn't sounding very sure about when I would be able to get the keys for move in, he gave a set that night. After checking with him I went into the unit to make sure it was clean..........I have since painted, cleaned the carpets 5 times, put new tile floors in the bathroom and kitcken, installed ceiling fans in 3 rooms, repaired faulty/ leaky plumbing, installed motion sencor lights at the front and side door, maintained the flower bed, redone the grout and caulking in the kitchen and bathrom tiles , installed a new bathroom faucet, replaced a toilet that broke, among other necessary repairs and improvements. Many of the above named issues I voluntarily chose to do for my own comfort and do not expect to get reimbursed for. But I went from paying $495 to

$650 a month for the same size apartment, in worse shape. I don't mind doing the repairs and fixing up things here and there. Where I have a problem is when my landlord told me to make repairs and deduct the rent but then had an issue with the plumbing repairs that I did.....he had tried to fix a leak with plumbers putty. I went ahead and bought the $4 part and fixed it right. I have requested numerous requests for repairs and also for a $50.00 a month deduction in my rent, before to compensate my time and effort and energy that I was investing and all that he was saving, now I feel like I am being WAY overcharged...... $650.00 for a two bedroom in bakersfield, CA for an apartment where the slum lord has not made one repair....nor responded whatsoever except to tell me not to utilize the repair and deduct method.I have no weatherization, I see daylight around all four edges of my doors. I have to run the heat constant to try to warm it up and wake up sweating every night. The water is

The water is leaking out of the shower knobs. There is a step outside my side door that is dangerous. (broken and not level) Badly stained, worn and burned carpet, etc....... I want to ask for the repairs to be made and for reduced rent until the repairs are made. Any suggestions, tips, advice, resources? I appreciate all I can get.

Janet, the slum lord isn't taking responsibility for HABITABLE repairs even. He has not made ONE repair since I've lived here!!!! Pay attention to the details before you ask a question that is answered in the question!

Answer 1

Check your lease for two things:
A) does it have a provision for reduced rent when repairs are not being made.
B) Does it have a provision for the landlord to pay your legal fees if they are found to be at fault.

We had a landlord situation very similar. We had a fire to the electrical panel for all ten units. We have had a big mess, fire, electricity, heating, gas leaks, and mold. The ten units joined together and hired a lawyer. The good news is that the landlord has paid so much in legal fees that she will hopefully stop being a slum lord. The bad news. We filed in April 2004, due to delays by the other side we will currently be getting our day in court in May 2007. We do however have both of the above mentioned provisions in our lease making it very easy to retain a very good lawyer, as they know that they have a case and they know that we are not the ones that they will need to collect from.

Answer 2

Go to an attorney. Look up your local Bar association ad get references for a Real estate attorney who has dealt with California law and housing requirements.

In the meantime, read your lease, it should state that the premises are "sound and habitable", or word to that effect.. Obviously they are not, so why are you still paying the rent? List, in detail, all the repairs you made, the dates, the cost of supplies/fixtures and your time. The attorney will want to see the list and cost of your efforts on behalf of the landlord.
As an example:

1/23/06: Painted bedroom; paint: $20.00, supplies (brushes, pan roller, tape,etc): $15.00; time: 4 hours

1/24/06: Installed new tile in bathroom; Cost of tile/grout/ tools/etc.: $75.00; time 3 hours

You or the attorney can draft a letter to the landlord to the effect that the apartment is uninhabitable; that there are defects in the plumbing and other areas which create a dangerous, unhealthy, and unliveable condition, and unless and until s/he fixes the problems, you will not pay the rent, instead you will put the money in an escrow account, less the money you expended for fixtures, repairs and your time. (To be reasonable billing should be based on the wage you receive from your employer.)

The letter should be sent certified mail with "return receipt requested".

This person is taking advantage of you. You make the repairs which upgrade the apartment and s/he raises your rent!!!

Answer 3

check your lease and state county city laws in some states when necessary repairs are not made you can with hold rent from landlord, until it is taken care of. or you may be able to deduct the repairs from the ent paying the difference. be careful not to violate your lease. you may need to send a certified request for the repairs and give so many days brfore withholding anything

Answer 4

In some states you cannot do any of the repairs... in my lease for my house I cannot make any repairs/up-grades without the consultation of my landlord. He has to approve of all up-grades and repairs. Sometimes he is out of town for a long time so if we have to do something, such as fixing the toliet b/c it wouldn't stop running, we call him or his daughter to get the okay first incase they want to hire a pro. He gave us the okay to fix the running toliet on our own. So we did and we didn't charge him because it is normal wear and tear. We got the okay also to repaint the white walls...white. It depends on the state laws and also what is in your lease and any verbal agreements with your landlord. (it is best to get verbals changed into written agreements for EVERYTHING!)

Contact a lawyer.

Answer 5

A law suit will eat up your time and energy and if you hire a lawyer, they're the only one that will win. Get another apartment, one in good shape and that you can afford. Report your landlord to the Better Business Bureau and to the Landlord Tenants office in your town.

Answer 6

I am still not clear on what you are suing for. Did he force you to move from one apartment to another?

The landlord does not have to pay for upgrades you decide to do. If you are suing for those you are going to be disappointed.

He has to have done something wrong, usually something regarding health, for you to complain. Otherwise you are there willingly, simply move to another place.

Rent something cheaper if you are paying above the going rate now.