our apart. not finished rent due and landlord still hasnt brought us new fridge. what should we do.?

Question

weve asked since oct. for our fridge when we moved in out apartment wasnt finished and he has still not come to finish anything or bring a new fridge. Our rent is due but nothing has been done. Should I pay rent or withhold till things are finished and done like he said hes going to do?

Answer 1

Check with your local housing authority for the law in your area, but often you can place your rent payments in escrow if a landlord refuses to provide required services (which a fridge would probably count as).

Answer 2

Money talks. And so does a written contract. If your landlord committed in writing (i.e. on your lease) to "finishing" the apartment and to provide you with a new fridge along a certain time line, then hold him to it.

If he just gave you a verbal committment (rather than one in writing), you are probably out of luck. Just pay your rent like a good tenant and, if you are that unhappy, move out when your lease is up. If he has a security deposit from you and it is equivalent to one month's rent, just don't pay your last month. Not much he can do other than sue you, but most landlords won't sue for such a small amount--their legal costs will be too high.

It depends on where you live, but in most places it is a huge pain for a landlord to evict a tenant. He'd probably rather keep a good, paying tenant than lose one.

Your best chance at getting resolution is to tell him that you will pay your rent once he has made good on his written promise. When you are holding the purse strings, you have some leverage.

Whatever you do, especially if you choose to not pay your last month's rent in lieu of your security deposit, do not do any damage to the property. Everything should be as clean (if not cleaner) than it was when you moved in. And if you damaged any of the landlord's real or personal property, he can press criminal charges.

Answer 3

I wouldn't just withhold your rent. Tell him that your apartment is not livable without refridgeration, and as such you don't see that you shopuld have to pay rent for an unlivable apartment. Tell this sob that you will go to the housing authority and complain if that fridge isn't installed before the last day rent can be paid, and you won't pay rent until your home is livable. In most cities, you are not obligated to pay rent for an unlivable apartment, and most require a land lessor to pay for comparable housing in the meantime. Dude should have put you up in an Embassy Suites hotel rm until the work was completed.

Answer 4

No Apt. can be legally rented without a Refrig.
That is why EVERYTHING verbally agreed upon should be written into a letter and signed by both of you as well as copied.
and always have a witness present when you go to talk with the landlord
If this the way everything is starting out there is possible troubles ahead unless you get on the ball

Answer 5

I wouldn't stop paying the rent - he can evict you for that!
Check with a legal-aid center (free, call your local courthouse), and see what options you have. For example, they might be able to advise you how to withhold the amount of the fridge from the rent check. But again, you need to make sure you're doing things properly, so you aren't in violation of your rental agreement.

Answer 6

Send him a letter (preferably cerified) and let him know that you moved in under the understanding that he would furnish the appliances, which he has yet to do. Tell Him that if he has not responded to this letter within 2 weeks you will buy a refrigerator and send him the receipt and the rent check minus what you paid.

Answer 7

Tell him that you feel you must hold rent until he fulfills his part of the obligation/agreement between you and he.