Renters Right to repair broken pipe?

Question

There is a major leak in the house we rent. I would like to know if there is anything I can do to have this fixed???? I have contacted the owner and there is no answer!!! How long do I have to wait??? I have 3 small children in the house and we have no water!! Please help

Answer 1

turn the water off and don't do anything until you contact the landlord. You won't know what to do about anything until you actually speak to the landlord. If he refuses to fix it which I doubt will happen, then worry about the next step. If you can't figure out how to turn the water off call someone who can. You can't expect the landlord to be available at your beck and call. Once notified of the problem depending on what type of problem it is a landlord usually gets 24 hours to make repairs or to at least start the process.

If for example your water is going to be off for a long period of time say more than a couple days then the landlord will probably be required to put you up in a motel until repairs are finished. As far as I know you can't make repairs yourself and withhold rent and your lease probably states that you are not allowed to make alterations or reparations to the apartment without landlords consent. You can escrow rent until repairs are made but there is a process for that too, you have to file papers with the courts.

Talk to the landlord before you do anything else.

Answer 2

First of all protect yourself and put it in writing. Notify the owner or landlord, explaining succintly what is wrong and when the problem started. Check with your local code enforcement as to how long the landlord has to fix problems (in my municipality it is 30 days). In an unthreathening manner, quote the code and tell the landlord that if the problem is not repaired within that time frame, you will hire a licensed, bonded, insured contractor to repair the problem and will deduct the amount from the next month's rent. In my city, tenants have the right to hire a contractor if the landlord does not act to remedy a service issue within 30 days of being notified by the renter and the renter has the right to deduct from rent the amount charged by the contractor by presenting a copy of the bill along with the rental payment.

Answer 3

You have a right to have the pipe repaired if the owner is not responsive to your request for him to get it repaired. Make sure you document the dates you attempted to contact the owner (I am assuming you left messages when you called). Get the pipe repaired and get reimbursed for your expenses through the owner of the property. Landlord/tenant law requires the owner to keep the property in livable condition. With a major problem such as this, he should be taking action and quickly. If he refuses to do so, you have an absolute right to fix it yourself and to make him pay for the repair. If he refuses, take him to court.

Answer 4

You should probably contact a state/provincial landlord/tenant association. I know in my area, you would be totally justified in calling a plumber to come in and fix this. You should probably get a couple of quotes just in case you're challenged on it. (I'm answering this question with the assumption the leak is actually inside the house and not in the yard... if it's in the year, your municipality might actually be responsible.

Answer 5

If you are unable to contact the owner, you have the right to make reasonable repars and charge them to the owner.

'reasonable' being the operative word. Not having running water is a major problem, and getting that fixed would be reasonable.

Answer 6

Contact your rent once again, by phone, in person or by register mail. If you still get no response for your landlord. You can contact your city or county government office and ask for help.

remember...All renters have rights

Answer 7

contact your local health department and notify them of this problem. make sure they know you have 3 kids. they will find the owner and compel them to repair the pipes.