What do I do with a landlord who will not fix anything in the house?

Question

I live in a house. When I moved in everything was fine- however slowly problems started arising.

Sewage was spewing into the dishwasher, up the sinks, and toilets and tubs The landlord refused to fix it. He said just dont use the dishwasher.The smell got so bad that I had to pay someone to fix it. However it didnt last long because sewage is seeping in again.

The stove doesnt work right. It never shuts off so i hvae to use the breaker box to use it and I only have 1 proper burner working.

My electric bills went from being 150- to 350 a month because the A/C the ducts in the attic arent properly sealed.
We have termites.

We have 2 bAthrooms but can only use 1- he said when i had a prob he just shut water off 2 it saying well u only need 1 bathroom anyway

It states in our lease that he is responsible for it, if i just up and leave he will sue me probably for non notice of leaving. Im most concerned with the health of my daughter.

I live in Florida

Answer 1

Use the additional details function and tell us your state and I'll put on here the links you need.
It is my opinion that he has given you constructive eviction. If you have documented the issues discussed (hopefully photographed) and provided the documentation along with a request and he/she has not fixed the requests to correct the health and safety issues the state law takes over.
Buena Suerte
Additional Details
STATE’S WEB SITE: http://www.myflorida.com/
LANDLORD TENANT ACT: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm
Landlord tenant main site: http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=Ch0083/titl0083.htm&StatuteYear=2004&Title=%2D%3E2004%2D%3EChapter%2083
Landlord tenant handbook: http://www.floridapirg.org/consumer/renters/rrpage1.htm
Landlord tenant brochure: http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/hr/forms/25/5025_750.pdf
Consumer Services landlord tenant explanation: http://www.800helpfla.com/landlord_text.html
Mobile Homes Information on filing complaints & General information: http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/mobilehome/ or http://www.state.fl.us/dbpr/lsc/mobilehomes/index.shtml
Mobile Home park tenancies: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=Ch0723/titl0723.htm&StatuteYear=2006&Title=->2006->Chapter%20723
Small claims court: http://circuit8.org/sc/
Cities Web sites: http://www.stateofflorida.com/Portal/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=34
State’s Department of Community Affairs, Housing and also disaster relief: http://www.dca.state.fl.us/
State bar Association: http://www.floridabar.org/

All the help information you will need is contained in the above links.

Answer 2

call your county court house, they will direct you in the right way. There is actually a protection agency for each county in every state that protects tenants.

otherwise give your landlord a 30day written certified notice that your moving due to unlivable conditions.

Besure your correct! And that your rent is aid up. There are tenants who are behind in their rent and start makeing things happen. Another factor that the court will look at is how long you have lived there.

Good luck, you maybe able to ask the court for the rent or partcial rent back from the landlord, again, I have seen that happen to only tenants who have occupied the premises for under 3 months.

Answer 3

you take him to court. Or you don't up and just leave but you give him a notice and then leave. But yeah I think that there is a legal procedeing that you can use against him. Since he is not fixing anything and it is in your lease. And if you can afford 350 a month for electric I am sure that you can afford to move into a better apartment. So contact a lawyer asap.

Answer 4

Oh my f-ing god. Heres what you do with this scumbag. I dont know what state you are in, but the best thing to do would be to call your local tv station's consumer investigation division. This is that extreme.

If that is not the route you want to go, then put all requests in writing and give him 48 hours to comply, and explain that his refusal to repair is against the law- send another copy certified mail, return receipt requested. Then break your lease if he does not fix them. Tell your future place of rental exactly why you are leaving and provide pictures.

Take your landlord to small claims court to retreive any lost deposits/rents.

Answer 5

You need to complain to the tenancy board in your area. This is illegal and you have the right to a safe and secure home for you and your family. Some people think tennants will be too scared of having no where to live to complain. He has an obligation to fix these problems or you can refuse rent. Good Luck!

Answer 6

Virtually every state has a renters association. It is there job to protect people from the situation in which you find yourself. Contact your government offices, if that doesn´t work, give notice and leave. Usually, if you have documented your complaints, (photos, electric bills, what you paid to repairmen), they will not sue.

If he is a lunatic, get your friends, and their pickup trucks and move out in the dead of night.

Answer 7

The below article will help you. It's titled "Tenant Rights: When The Landlord Won’t Fix Things"

Answer 8

Move..it's a less hassle than fighting with the landlord...then before you move, contact the building code officials and invite them to inspect the home....get a copy of the violations and if they condemn the place you have recourse when he tries to sue you for non payment.

Answer 9

You can legally break the lease and get out of that dump. Send him a certified letter and see what his response is.

Answer 10

HE'S A SLUM LORD!!!!!!!! REPORT HIM TO THE PROPER HOUSING AUTHORITIES................................