I'm a Southern California renter that has been renting this home for over 10 years. I've been denied renters insurance because the home has a wood shake roof that is in disrepair. I've asked property managers to replace with no results.
Besides moving out to a safer home, what actions can I take against the owner/property manager to get this roof replaced? I've already made a buyers offer on the house however owner won't discuss it.
Thanks
2007-08-31 07:37:30 · 11 answers · asked by wrightskis 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
The first thing you want to do is send a certified letter to the landlord requesting an inspection of the roof. Let them know in the letter you are concerned about the safety of the house if this is not taken care of. By law the landlord is required to upkeep the home. If you have lived there for 10 years and the roof was not redone within 10 years before that, it probably does need to be reroofed. If the landlord does not respond to you within 21 days, resend a letter same way saying you are going to get estimates to have the roof redone and then send them certified again. Keep paying your rent on time. If you miss your rent then you lose your leg to stand on if this goes to court. If they have not started the repairs within a legal amount of time then you can have someone do it and take the amount off of your rent.
You might also get farther if you talk to your landlord and let them know that if the roof is not replaced they are setting themselves up for other problems with leaks and mold and so many other things.
2007-08-31 07:55:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you continue to rent, you should document your dealings with the property owner and contact a lawyer in your areas to discuss your rights, as well as the owners responsibilities.
Another option is notify your code enforcement office, or whatever agency addresses zoning issues in your area, and tell them that this is a dangerous building and have them go after the property owner.
If you plan on buying the house, you can use the condition of the roof as reason to get a lower price. If you buy the home the roof will be an issue when the inspection is done. At that point you can have th owner repair it, drop the price or walk away from the deal. Good luck with your decision.
2007-08-31 07:52:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Talk to your landlord about you making some improvements to the property to help him out. By law, you should be able to deduct these expenses from your rent payments. But you may want to check your local and state laws.
Also, you could call in to the county to have an inspection of the property done if the roof is really in that bad of shape. Which could be enough to force the landlord to fix it (otherwise he'd have to let the units become condemned due to unsafe conditions). And if he was forced to fix it, and chose the same stuff, then you could pitch in the extra needed to get the insurable stuff (which could then be taken out of your rent).
2007-08-31 08:08:28 · answer #3 · answered by Toledo Engineer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a lawyer and start withholding your rent. This doesn't mean you can spend that money because you'll have to pay it eventually, but you can put it in escrow. You must notify your landlord that the repairs need to be made. Once a week for one month mail them a certified letter citing your complaint. Take pictures of the roof for documentation should this matter go to court. In your final letter to your landlord let them know that it's the final letter and that you will begin withholding the rent money in escrow until the repairs are made. Check out the link below.
2007-08-31 07:48:09 · answer #4 · answered by It's Your World, Change It 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Move OUT. I see no reason the owner should spend 10 or 15 thousand dollars on a roof simply so you can insure a TV and computer. Roof being in "disrepair" is your opinion and not up to you to decide what or when the owner has to do.
Sorry, but you need to be looking for a new place to live. Good luck
2007-08-31 07:48:29 · answer #5 · answered by Jan Luv 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Lower the offer enough to cover the replacement of the roof.
If the local building codes won't require the replacement of the roof moving, or replacing it yourself after purchase maybe your only options.
2007-08-31 07:47:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
To me, being denied insurance due to the condition of the home should be considered grounds for contacting the area health department or building code inspectors. Withholding rent could get you evicted.
2007-08-31 07:45:01 · answer #7 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
you can contact a title company and have them put your rent into escrow until the owner fixes it. You keep paying the rent as usual but he can't access it until the roof is fixed. The law is on your side in this.
2007-08-31 07:45:21 · answer #8 · answered by gumby 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
well you thought you would get service and they should have a safe environment so what i would do is make an argument and bring up something like what if there was a little baby or kid in there you know that would be totally unsafe so try it cause this America if you have a problem with something bring it up to someone cause you have to speak up for yourself cause know one is going to do it for you. take my advice it is the best you can do it.
bonnie
2007-08-31 07:49:59 · answer #9 · answered by bondo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you have to look to your lease. It should discuss who is responsible for maitenance. I would imagine the Landlord is responsible for the roof. If he refuses to fix it you can sue under a breach of contract.
2007-08-31 07:50:00 · answer #10 · answered by Mark A 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋