There are soo many problems living here at this apartment complex. There's an ongoing leak which i've complained about for awhile now. I've found a mouse/mice on several occasions. two closet doors they said they would put back on.. they never did. I am tired of paying rent for a place that always has problems. So i went to the leasing office and left a message to the apartment manager saying i would not be paying for rent until things were fixed. I believe i was right in this situation, but am wondering what you think. furthermore, i said i would only continue to pay rent/live here (because i don't drive, am in college, and am limited to things) if they lowered the rent. otherwise i would contact the board of health and what not. Does anyone have any options as i am limited to moving to another place.
2007-07-31 06:52:13 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
You need to get a copy of the landlord/tenant laws in your state. If you simply stop paying rent you will solve the issue of not liking the apartment; they will evict you.
2007-07-31 06:57:17 · answer #1 · answered by davidmi711 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is quite common for people when faced with a problem for the first time in their lives to seek what seems like a reasonable solution, but which can get them in hot water.
We sign a contract, a rental lease, which says we will pay so much money a month for an apartment. Probably there is no place in that contract that gives us the right to with hold rent because of certain problems the landlord not yet taken care of. So even though you had, what you thought were good reasons to with hold part of the rent, this makes you in violation of the lease, and gives the landlord the right to evict you.
It is dangerous to say you will contact Board of Health unless they lower the rent, when you should have said you will contact them unless they fix the health hazards. If the apartment is in close proximity to the college, then in all probability there are many students who desire the lodging and are as not as particular as you are about good clean conditions.
I suggest you start looking for alterntative lodging, such as dorms ... inspect each prospect for good condition, ask tenants in those places how responsive the landlord is there to minor things that need to get fixed ... like how long after a complaint is something normally fixed.
You might look into possibility of a compromise between not driving & how inconvenient that is ... might it be safe around your community to have a bicycle? If it is safe to ride around on bicycle, you also need to have a place where you can store it indoors that is acceptable to both landlord and neighbors.
2007-07-31 14:04:44 · answer #2 · answered by Al Mac Wheel 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You must call the RENTAL BOARD in the city/state where you are living. All states/provinces have different laws, and acceptable ways for tenants to act. The RENTAL BOARD will tell you what you need to do next.
Meanwhile, I do not believe that you are allowed to withold any rent. Keep paying rent. Otherwise, they can take you to court for withholding rent. Your case is separate. Send your landloard a registered letter (through the post office), saying that you are giving them TEN working days to fix the situation, otherwise, you will have it repaired by a company that you will hire, and you will send them the bill, or take them to court for the damages. BEFORE fixing or doing anything, you must always have PROOF. TAKE PICTURES of no doors on your closets. Take pictures of the leak. Take pictures of the mice. If the paint is peeling, take pictures. If the floors or walls are cracked, take pictures. You will need to show proof to the rental board, or to the court, in order for the judge to believe you, and to win.
It's not pretty. Be patient, act smart, and don't let them take advantage of you.
2007-07-31 14:04:40 · answer #3 · answered by Mimi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if there are mice in the building then your health is at risk, so that should be taken care of, does the landlord check the smoke detectors? i would say keep paying rent but find out more about the laws in your state. he sounds like a very crappy landlord, does he own the building or does he just work as the landlord? if he is just the landlord maybe talk to the owner.
2007-07-31 14:01:59 · answer #4 · answered by Tim C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
diffenet states have different laws but in ca u give your landlord a us postal certified letter make sure to keep a copy listing all the repairs and health hazards that need fixed. if they are not fixed within 90 days of the mailing of the letter u take that letter and the proof u mailed it to the building department and the healh department they are suposed to take it from there u can also take your landlord to court but if u do any of this the landlord might find another reason to eviict u or make up one i personally still wouldnt let this stop me like i said this is ca state law other states may be slightly different but prob about the same
2007-07-31 14:04:58 · answer #5 · answered by Shannon M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋