apartment is full of raoches, clogged drains?

Question

I am on a lease and my apartment is full of roaches and clogged drains. Manager is not ready to fix it, inspite of several reminders. Who should I talk to get me out of this problem? Can I sue the management for this?

Answer 1

You don't have to sue, but you can call your local housing authority and tell them about the problems. It would be a good idea to have the times you spoke to your landlord documented so that you can give them specifics. I would also tell the manager that you plan on contacting the housing authority. It might motivate him to do something about the problem.

Answer 2

Before you withhold rents, check your state laws on doing so. Some states allow rents to be held in escrow for such situations, and others do not. If your state does not allow this, you could be evicted for failure to honor your lease.

Clogged drains are a mixed bag issue. I tend to charge tenants for such maintenance if the drains were in good condition when they moved in. Drains don't just plug up without misuse. If the clogged drain can be shown to be a system problem, of course, I take care of the cost. But I'm not about to constantly unclog drains if the tenant pours grease down it constantly, or allows hair and other debris to accumulate. That is considered tenant maintenance.

I am not trying to sound unkind here, but my experience is that roaches like to live where they can find food. A thoroughly clean unit generally does not attract roaches. Even if your landlord eliminates them, they will return if they can find what they want. (and they generally don't ask your permission to return)

Answer 3

i dont agree w/ the gentleman saying that the tenant is responsible for any plumbing problems, the landlord owns the building, therefor, the landlord is required to fix the property and that includes keeping up w/ the repairs needed from time to time. as for the roach problem....1st u could go to store and buy what is called foggers and follow directions on can. give landlord receipt and take it off ur rent. if this doesnt fix the problem (it should) then call housing authority and ask them to send out health inspector. they call also inform u whether u can hold ur rent in an escrow account till landlord fixes apartment. good luck hope it works out well for u. :)

Answer 4

well you can not pay your rent till the Stuff is fixed and the Roaches are gone.write things that are need to be fixed and the times when you have called and ask your Landlord to fix them,you need to take pictures also and have proof.if you have all this and the not paying rent don't do the trick then you can take him to small claims court.

Answer 5

1-get some Raid
2-get some Liquid Plumber