I have recently told my landlord that the house is infested with ants and silverfish. I have taken many measures to get rid of them myself. I have bombed the house and I keep my house VERY VERY clean. I even took it as far as to put all opened boxes of cereal, bags of chips, etc into plastic bags. I have also asked him to fix locks (because I can't lock the house properly which poses a threat to my safety and my childs safety) and I have asked him to fix the light in the bathroom. I have asked him to fix many other things but I figure you are all bored by now lol. His excuse is he can NOT drive here to fix these things because he got a DUI and got his license suspended. What are my rights? I'm a loan officer and not sure of what my rights are as a tenant. Please HELP!!!!
2007-06-10 16:03:23 · 9 answers · asked by peapod_mommy 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
He sounds like a slum lord to me. What does your lease say you can do if he doesn't comply? Document your problems and send him return receipt letters of your complaints. I know that you can move with your landlord's consent. Tell him you are being forced to act. Call whatever city inspectors you can and turn them on him. You have a right to expect to lock your doors and not live with bug infestations. The DUI is his problem. You could offer to pick him up-and he pays for the gas. Depends on how much you want to stay where you are. You do not have the right to withhold rent for repairs but sometimes you have to play games. I would do my best to get the value of my deposit out of him and plan on moving-after you document everything. What will he do if you just move out? He will have to get over there to rent the apartment. He's doing a job on you, do a job on him.
2007-06-10 18:18:56 · answer #1 · answered by towanda 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As someone pointed out your rights are state dependent. Generally speaking, you have a right to deduct the things you are speaking about from the rent. Are you on a month to month or yearly lease? Did you sign anything. Generally, a landlord has pretty limited rights so even if he had something in writing saying he was not responsible for the things you mentioned, chances are he still would be responsible. Personally though, it sounds like you should find a new place. The fact that your landlord has a DUI is a good indicator that he is not responsible. Again, he is required to fix the things you are talking about. IMPORTANT: Document, document, document. Take pictures, try to get a professional to assess the pest problem and to write out their findings, take photos, etc,etc. Then send him a letter saying that due to his inability to properly fix the problems that they wil be handled by you, receipts will be copied and costs will be deducted from the rent. Bottom line though, get a new landlord. Finally, I am not giving you legal advice, just legal information. There are variables invovled here and I'm basing my answer on general landlord tenant laws. good luck.
2007-06-10 23:21:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on what state you are in, there are laws for Landlords to keep the property in working condition. I know here in NC they are required to have a pest spray and inspection 2 times a year. Are you still on a lease with him? If you are in a lease then yes he HAS to fix it otherwise you can have it fixed and deduct it from the rent. If he still won't comply take him to small claims court. Hope this helps.
2007-06-10 23:07:34 · answer #3 · answered by mspurrycat 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not knowing what state your in...while some states do have a repair and deduct law..most don't. Check your local statutes. As far as withholding rent...unless it is court ordered that you can do so...it's never a good idea...as you can leave yourself open to eviction. Your rights? Sent landlord a letter of the problems...certified... and if you do not received relief, persue this in small claims court.
2007-06-12 08:39:30 · answer #4 · answered by LILL 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you stop paying rent you will probably get an eviction notice.Some landlords are just overseers of the property,in that case your cries go unheard.If these repairs makes the house unsafe my suggestion is find a better place and move.You can fight it but its not worth it,you will probably end up moving anyway.
2007-06-10 23:24:38 · answer #5 · answered by peppersham 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you decide to not pay him the rent, you must create an escrow account, in which you put the rent till he fixes everything. if he tries to evict you, show the judge the list of things that you have told your landlord about and show him the account with your rent in it. you must also write up a list (make a copy) and send or give it to your landlord before you stop paying your rent. you have to give him fair warning of at least 30 days to do the repairs.
2007-06-10 23:19:17 · answer #6 · answered by 55andalive 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can put your rent money in a special account set up for you in rent court in the city or county where you reside until the landlord makes the necessary repairs.
2007-06-10 23:14:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check with your state laws. Document everything. Get legal advice. Take pictures. Just make sure that you use good judgment and not your emotions when pursuing the issues. Good Luck
2007-06-10 23:12:39 · answer #8 · answered by jazcy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
can never stop paying rent.
2007-06-10 23:07:33 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋