Is this legal?

Question

We moved from a one bedroom to a two bedroom under the same landlord. She never had us sign a lease for the new apartment because she knew us. In the one bedroom, it was hard to get her to fix a broken sink handle (it was never fixed until we moved out and we were blamed for not telling her even though we did. She even promised for two weeks that her handyman would come out.) and now I have a drip in my kitchen ceiling. My complex looks like it should be [bulldozed over or] remodeled but she won't pay for the half she had fixed so my building won't be fixed.
Is any of this legal?
(By the way I don't have the money to move to another building. My rent is $625 while my family makes a little over $800. Government housing waiting lists are a 3+yr wait)

Answer 1

The problem with living in a place where you don't have to sign anything and it looks like it needs to be bulldozed is that it probably does need to be bulldozed. There are building codes and there are laws that say a landlord is responsible for fixing things that break but if the landlord isn't doing it and you haven't signed a lease and you can't afford to move out do you really want to rock the boat? I would say wait until you can move somewhere else then report this landlord.

Answer 2

When renting, the landlord is responsible for all repairs generally. That's a standard rule of thumb, I think. The fact that there isn't a lease involved would make me nervous. Also, I'd suggest you also keep a record of when you called her, for what, her response, etc. so when you do contact an attorney, and you should, by all means, you will have this info readily available. Could be you are living in a condemned building, too and she might be trying to hold off on the inevitable, from the sounds of it. Surely there are other apartments in your area in better condition for about the same, or maybe less rent? Check them out. Good luck.

Answer 3

Get on the list, but for now be sure to document all the things that are wrong, get as many witnesses as possible. Make sure whenever you call her about something that you write down the date and the time and whom you spoke with. If you contact her about something that need to be repaired do it in writing as well and send the letter certified, or at least be sure to make a copy of the letter. Registered mail is good, because if she refuses it, then you have proof that you made the attempt, you will receive documentation of the refusal from the postal service. It is very important to keep accurate records and details of what you do, when you have contact with her, what the problems are, what her response is to her. I believe you can also request that the repairs be done in a timely manner, as far as a lease, you may want to get a lease in writing before you pursue any of these things.

Answer 4

Talk to a tenant/landlord lawyer. Ask for a brief free consultation on the phone. But for now since it is the weekend, you need to get together with the landlord ASAP and get a lease signed, as this contract is your only protection and ensures that you can have the laws in your state enforced.

Answer 5

Legality and rights. Ok. Instead of looking at where you are at - you might want to keep focused on where you want to be. You've already figured out that the 2br is just a bigger pit than the 1br. You want gvt housing, right? Right. Suggest you quit trying to correct the issues there and work full throttle on getting yourself on those housing lists where - ever. It's a big country, big world and if you feel totally blocked then start working outside that blocked area. Work with the people that can advise you for the future. Talking work - not make excuses /create more blocks. Work to get you and your family out of this situation - where ever!

Answer 6

Been there, done that . Landlord HAS to fix leaks,drips,and many of other pure house conditions in your apartment.You have a right to contact the City hall house department , they will ask for landlord's contact number . In our case they called him, then he finally came and have fixed it.

Answer 7

You should have signed a lease. I don't see how she's liable for anything if you don't have a written contract with her. You should ALWAYS sign a lease, even if your best friend or mother was the landlord. This is how you get yourself into trouble.

Answer 8

You didn't say where you lived. In most states you can do "repair and deduct." First you have to notify the landlady of the needed repair and your intention to repair and deduct. Unless you hear from her, after 30 days you can have the repairs done and deduct that amount from your rent.

A basic tenet of tenant law is having a "habitable" dwelling.

Check the tenant laws in your state.

Answer 9

time is of the essence! AGHHH!!