the celing in our master bedroom started leaking a little, and mold is all over it...its getting worse with the rain and snow...i've called the office twice, and left a few messages. they even had a guy come out in november, he looked at it, and told me hed be right back...still nothing
2007-01-20 16:44:58 · 8 answers · asked by starlight83 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I'd say yes... read your lease agreement- find out what it says about moving out early, what the landlord is responsible in the way of repairs...
Also- go to Legal Aide- they should have flyers to help you address the problem with your landlord. I know that you have to request the repairs in writing, and where there's mold caused by lack of building maintenance, either a- the repairs ahve to be made within a certain timeframe or b- you can move out....
But check first, dot all your i's and cross all your t's- don't give Landlord any leagal way to screw you!!
2007-01-20 16:55:23 · answer #1 · answered by Yoda's Duck 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If the place is as you describe it, then it is uninhabitable. A call to your local building inspector and health dept would probably get the apt condemned. At that point, you'd be moving out... but then you'd probably be out of the lease.
If you're serious, put the rent money into an escrow acct until things are fixed. Give the landlord 30 days notice that you're escrowing the money. However, be prepared to have a very hostile landlord from henceforth.
2007-01-21 01:31:29 · answer #2 · answered by geek49203 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are laws to cover this. Your landlord has to provide adaquate housing. The mold you are speaking of, is it black mold? If so it can cause health problems for you and anyone in the home. By law the landlord has already broken the contract and with a health risk at question your are intitled to a refund of any and all funds as well as any doctor bills that may have incured due to the mold. Call your local health department and report this.
2007-01-21 01:01:46 · answer #3 · answered by gina 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to the district court, put your rent money in an escrow account... contact the office and tell them you have opened an escrow account with the court for your rent, until they have made the repairs that are needed. If they decide they want to take you to court for the unpaid rent, you can bring it to the attention of the judge, that you have been paying your rent and it is being held by the court in escrow, show your paperwork, the judge will more than generally get on your slum lords back, and you may be able to keep your money or a portion of it for the time you had to endure the leak...etc... Don't just withhold your rent, if you don't pay them at the office you have to put it in escrow, to protect yourself.
2007-01-21 06:36:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read your lease and find out what the provisions are for such a case. Remember that each state has laws that protect the tenants regardless of what a lease might say. Also, threaten your landlord with legal action, it will get his attention.
2007-01-21 01:44:52 · answer #5 · answered by oeflores@sbcglobal.net 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not likely. However, in the vast majority of states you may withhold rent until it is fixed, or fix it yourself and deduct that from your rent. However, if you are going to do that, I suggest you send a certified letter to your landlord about the problem asking him to correct it. Wait until the next rental period (usually a month) before withholding pay.
2007-01-21 02:03:22 · answer #6 · answered by cyanne2ak 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends what was on the contract. it may have said something about breaking the lease.
2007-01-21 00:47:50 · answer #7 · answered by !{¤©¤}! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should be able too, read your lease, it should say. if it is moldy, it could be considered unlivable depending on how bad it is
2007-01-21 00:53:33 · answer #8 · answered by DCB_MINDED 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋