Willowbrook Apartments sent me a notice in the mail letting me know that they are taking me and my bf to trial for not paying the full rent for last month.
The reason for that was because of the fact they havent fixed my roof. my roof has been leaking for over 2 months now and they still wont fix it. My rent is 800 a month and i paid them 250 instead and i told her that she wasnt getting anything unless someone fixed my roof. I have been getting reviews from online and also taking pictures. I go to trial against them on the 22nd of february.
Is there anything else i should be doing to get prepared for this???
2007-02-13 10:47:57 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
When they "take you to trial" explain to the judge why you did not pay the rent. When you withhold rent for repairs there are certain things that you MUST do. You MUST notify the landlord in writting of the problem and give them reasonable time to fix. Once that reasonable time has passed you MUST again notify them in writting that you will be withholding rent until the repair is made. You MUST keep the withheld rent in a bank account and pay in full when the repair has been made. Even if you did not follow all of these rules the judge MIGHT side with you and let you keep living in the apartment if you can prove the needed repairs and that you have the rent money and plan to pay as soon as the repair is made.
2007-02-13 12:04:21 · answer #1 · answered by ebosgramma 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well first you should find evidense of your roof take pictures of the leak and hole. And the bills they charge you, maybe the contract you signed for the apartment. If the judge startes going on the other side i woudl just pay the 550$ its better than going to jail or anything worse! But talk to the owner after that about fixing the roof but after that i dont know if they woudl want to do that. I think you shoudl just move somewhere better...
2007-02-13 10:58:20 · answer #2 · answered by Courtney 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You pay your rent, quick, before you get evicted. That's what you do.
You can't just arbitrarily withhold rent. IF you had gotten the roof fixed, and had receipts, and proof (registered letters) that you told the manager about it, and had deducted the repair amount from your rent, you would have a leg to stand on. But as it stands, the judge will evict you.
2007-02-13 10:53:53 · answer #3 · answered by Lisa A 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Find the fair housing authority and tell them what is going on.. with the pixs..
I can't see how they could possibly bring you to trial in less than 30 days, that don't even seem possible. Trials take forever to set up even small claims stuff.. you sure its really official or they just trying to scare you?
2007-02-13 10:57:33 · answer #4 · answered by Tapestry6 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would probably file a complaint with your attorney general. Your lease probably states that you still have to pay rent regardless of perceived problems with the property.
2007-02-13 10:52:37 · answer #5 · answered by Susan M 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋