landlord problems?

Question

My sister's landlord will not fix any of the problems she has. For instance, her stove catches on fire, water heater is too hot, there's a hole in the wall, bathroom tile is falling apart,...what can she do? She has 2 young children. She has been asking and asking the landlord to fix these problems but he just gives her the run around.

Answer 1

Move! I am a landlord .I have 50 well maintained units and very nice renters too. I have in the past bought a 10 unit building from the bank that was structurally fine but the inside was crap. I evicted everyone to completely redo the building. Those people wanted to stay in that crappy building and ***** instead of moving to something better. If its crap I wouldn't stay. Why would you?

Answer 2

You listed a couple things that I would really be worried about. The stove and water that is to hot. I think she should move. You don't say where she lives, so landlord laws could differ by location. I do know child safety is up most important. The landlord is not willing to fix, you could report, it may take months if ever to get it resolved. But what is gonna stop them from taking it out on your sister's family. Evicting, raising rent, hassling about every little thing. She may also be blamed for the problems and told she has to pay repairs. So. I repeat, tell your sister to find another place to live.

Answer 3

Check the tenancy agreement. In that it states what the tenant is agreeing to, but also, what the landlord is agreeing to as well. It should state that he is responsible for the repairs and such, at the same time, report the faults, make a log book and ask the landlord or the person who collects the rent to sign to say you have reported a fault and then if nothing gets done, go to see a lawyer as he will be in breach of his agreement.

Answer 4

The procedural details are going to vary somewhat from state to state. However, here are some general points: 1. A handwritten printed name is a signature; it does not have to be in cursive. 2. Even if the document does not "have effect", the owner can sue. You are behind in the rent and the landlord has the right to sue you for the rent that you already owed (before the document was written) unless pay it. 3. A contract signed under duress (for example, if someone said that they would physically injure you if you did not sign) either is invalid or can be renounced, depending on the state and various other things. 4. You do not have to let her keep you ID's and probably do not have to give them to her at all. In certain very specific circumstances (for example, if she is hiring you for a job), you are required to give her your ID's long enough to for her to look at them, see if they appear to be real or forged, and photocopy them, but not to let her keep them. 5. Passports and social security cards are property of the federal government, not of the person to whom they are issued. You cannot sell or otherwise transfer ownership of them to her.

Answer 5

She should write a letter to the landlord, send it to him return signature, registered mail, asking him to fix all the problems in the residence, giving him 7 days to do it, send a copy to your local housing authority, as well, so they know that you've been trying to get this work done. If he doesn't do it within the time limit, she should open an escrow account and put her rent in there until it is done. This IS legal. AND if he still doesn't want to fix it, call the local tv news, or newspaper and find their consumer assistance department.

Answer 6

Your sister should be able to report her landlord to the local tenancy agency who will ensure that they are doing the proper maintanence.

If the landlord is unable, doesn't have time, or just doesn't want to do the repairs, then get your sister to talk to them and work out a deal that she does the repairs, and takes it off of her rent.

If the landlord won't budge, then it's time to move...with two kids, you dont want to have peices of the wall falling in on their little heads...

Answer 7

She can get the problems fixed and subtract the amount from her rent. Make sure to include the receipts with the rent check. I have done this before, and the landlord has never had a problem. They are usually lazy cause they don't have the money or want the run around. If you get it done, what can they say? As long as it is necessary.

Answer 8

Document ALL the problems in writing.

Estimate the date she reported each issue, and how (phone, in person, by mail).

Send a certified letter to the landlord (certified means he has to sign a card saying he received the letter) -- be sure to ask him to respond by a specific date, and estimate timing for repairs.

If he doesn't respond in 7 days, send a copy of the letter to the Attorney General in your state, for breech of contract.

Be prepared to help pay for anything considered 'damage' or 'neglect' on the part of the renter.

Keep track of ALL communication in writing, in case you ever have to tell Judge Judy what a jerk he is.

Answer 9

there should be a fair housiing agency in your state. call them and call the landlord. Call the health dept iff any thing is a health issue. document every phone call and i would send a certified letter listing all requests (keep a copy). call your local court house and ask where you can get a copy of your states landlord / tenant act.

Answer 10

What state do you live in?

Find the proper agency in the state and report the landlord. I am pretty sure all of the states have laws regarding tenant's rights.