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I recently rented a mobile home, and the contract my husband signed said that because we were renting it at a low rate, we were responsible for maintenance, repairs, things like that. As soon as we moved in, we discovered only one light fixture works because there are major wiring problems. On top of that, because the mobile home is in a mobile home park, the water lines are connected. After two days we got the "handy man" to come over and turn on the water, but he said there are plumbing problems, and the pipes were leaking and refused to turn on the water, because it would not be fair to the others in the park (becuse there is only one water bill that is divided up among everyone). We called the management, and they said we have to pay them to fix the plumbing or hire someone else, and until then, will not let us have water. Since on the lease we agreed to maintenance and repairs, can they do this?

2007-06-06 04:54:51 · 7 answers · asked by momofsix 3 in Politics & Government Law & Ethics

It is a month to month lease.

2007-06-06 05:05:04 · update #1

7 answers

Most houses blow away so dont worry none

2007-06-06 04:57:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0 3

I do not like "slum lords" as they are the ones that come up with these bogus contracts and forget that they do have legal responsibilities that most tenants do not know of.

Repairs, Maintenance, and Entry to Property FAQ
Learn about landlord's duties to repair and maintain rental property and to give tenants notice before entering.

When may a landlord enter rental property?
Typically, you can enter rented premises in order to make needed repairs (or in some states, just to determine whether repairs are necessary), in cases of emergency, or to show the property to prospective new tenants or purchasers.

States typically require landlords to provide advance notice (usually 24 hours) before entering a rental unit.

Without advance notice, in most states a landlord or manager may enter rented premises while a tenant is living there only in an emergency, such as a fire or serious water leak, or when the tenant gives permission.

Several states also allow landlords or property managers the right of entry during a tenant's extended absence (often defined as seven days or more) to maintain the property as necessary and to inspect for damage and needed repairs. In most cases, a landlord may not enter just to check up on the tenant and the rental property.

What are a landlord's maintenance responsibilities?
Under most state and local laws, you must offer and maintain housing that satisfies basic habitability requirements, such as adequate weatherproofing, available heat, water and electricity, and clean, sanitary, and structurally safe premises.

Local building or housing codes typically set specific standards, such as the minimum requirements for light, ventilation, and electrical wiring. Many cities require the installation of smoke detectors in residential units and specify security measures involving locks and keys.

Your local building or housing authority, and health or fire department, can provide information on local housing codes and penalties for violations.

If a landlord doesn't make required repairs, what are the consequences?
If a tenant requests repairs to be made and the landlord or property manager doesn't meet his or her legal responsibilities, a tenant usually has several options, depending on the state. These options include:

making the necessary repairs
withholding the entire rent until the problem is fixed
hiring someone to make necessary repairs and deducting the cost from the next month's rent
paying less rent
calling the local building inspector, who can usually order the landlord to make repairs, or
moving out, even in the middle of a lease.
A tenant can also sue the landlord for a partial refund of past rent, and in some circumstances can sue for the discomfort, annoyance, and emotional distress caused by the substandard conditions.

Your best bet is to handle repairs as soon as possible (or delegate the repairs to the tenant in exchange for decreased rent). Take care of major problems, such as a plumbing or heating problem, within 24 hours. For minor problems, respond in 48 hours. Always keep tenants informed as to when and how the repairs will be made, and the reasons for any delays.

2007-06-06 05:16:03 · answer #2 · answered by Big Daddy 3 · 0 0

In most cases like that. You will need legal help like legal aid for low imcome families. But im sure in the law. If landlord had you sign a contract saying you will repair such repairs in the house then you would have to repair them . BUT and yes a but in their. Im sure the land lord knew about everything in the house that was wrong and legaly he cant rent a place in the condition. With lights not working, that could cause fire in some cases. Water piped leaking. Well im sure they didn't start leaking after you moved in sense you neer had water turned on. The land lord has to have things fixed before you moved in or it isn't legal.the contract shouldn't be good by law because all of that..

2007-06-06 05:08:07 · answer #3 · answered by chriswh90 2 · 0 0

Is this a fixed term lease or does it run month to month?

EDITED BASED ON ADDITIONAL INFO:

Then you need to immediately send the landlord a 30-day notice to quit and send it CERTIFIED(RRR) with a copy to yourself. Do NOT open your copy.

Next you need to contact the local building codes enforcement officer in your town. Ask for an inspection of habitability. If the places fails, you have grounds to terminate the lease early and I would advise doing so.

I would also advise, if you are required to end the lease do to the inspection, that you write the landlord a demand letter stipulating that you require the return of all monies paid in rent and deposit within 5 days from receipt of the letter or you will have no choice but to file a civil action for it's return in small claims.

Send this letter also CERTIFIED(RRR) with a COPY of the inspection.

EDITED BASED ON BIGDADDY'S RESPONSE:

Just so you know, withholding rent, unless specifically allowed in the lease, is illegal in the state of kansas and can get you not only evicted, but a judgement against you for civil damages, court costs, attorney fees and a fine which will all be reduced to a judgment which is good for 5 years and is allowd to be charged 4% above prime rate for all unpaid balances, not to mention the hit on your credit report for the next 7 years.

2007-06-06 05:01:34 · answer #4 · answered by hexeliebe 6 · 0 0

Did some googling on the sphere: The honest Housing Act demands assets vendors of housing centers to make much less costly exceptions of their regulations and operations to discover the money for adult men and girls with disabilities equivalent housing opportunities. for occasion, a landlord with a "no pets" coverage could additionally be required to grant an exception to this rule and enable somebody who's unaware of shop a instruction manual dogs interior the residing. Legally besides the fact that your landlord had a "No Pets" coverage, he/she could maximum in many cases be breaking federal regulation via way of now no longer permitting you to have a provider animal. additionally on puppy expenses: in spite of no count if the valuables helps pets, the disabled tenant who makes use of a provider animal isn't required to make a puppy deposit or pay a puppy-proper cleansing value. besides the fact that, the owner could value a secure practices Deposit for the condominium the comparable quantity it is charged for all tenants. besides the fact which you do could desire to be waiting to coach documentation which you desire the provider animal, no count if or no longer it incredibly is documentation out of your physician or different factors.

2016-11-26 19:21:34 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

contact Kansas Legal Aid. It's a low cost legal service based upon income.

2007-06-06 04:58:58 · answer #6 · answered by New rider-- again 3 · 1 0

yes if he signed it he repairs it.

2007-06-06 05:00:08 · answer #7 · answered by ? 7 · 0 2

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