i have been renting since july, i woke up this morning to snow, but no heat, my toilet still hasn't been fixed, the are numerous hazards in this house. can i legally break a lease without being sued. and if not what are the legal standards for a person to rent out their home
2007-11-23 01:38:05 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
The "legal standard" for heat is that a heat source has to be provided. Any heat source counts, fireplace, electrical heater, etc. The landlord does NOT have to provide fuel. You need to contract with your power company if you have a gas furnace.
Toilets do not break on their own and have a life expectancy of 100 or so years, so its repairs are maintenance that falls on the renter for the most part.
2007-11-23 06:15:18 · answer #1 · answered by Landlord 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
HEALTH DEPT and the Fair Housing Department - it is illegal to rent a place without running water and heating. Make sure that you MAIL a certified letter to the owner stating what items that are not working, how long they have not been working properly, and the dates that you brought these items to his attention. By law after thirty days from your certified notice if these items are not working, you can deducted the cost for professional repair,labor, inconvenience from your monthly rent. He can not evict you for not paying your rent in full or add late charges .
2007-11-23 03:39:21 · answer #2 · answered by LADY AT THE LAKE 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on where you live. In most states, you can send a certified letter to your landlord detailing the problems, and A) offer to fix them in lieu of rent, B) remind him/her that you agreed to rent living space and this doesn't qualify, C) threaten to go to court for a resolution of differences, and possibly to collect damages due to his negligence. It may work, may not. Check your area's zoning codes, housing codes to see if any are being violated. If you think you have a case, consult an attorney. Cheap legal advice is just that: cheap, and you're getting this for free.
2007-11-23 01:50:31 · answer #3 · answered by jelesais2000 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
use google to find the landlord-tenant laws in your state/province/country. they'll tell you what steps you may legally take to either force landlord to make repairs or break your lease and move out.
off hand, I'd guess that housing inspection/building department would issue immediate condemnation of property if they inspected it.
in most jurisdictions, that would terminate the lease immediately.
However -- it won't get your deposit back, nor your costs or damages. you may have to sue landlord for those -- small claims court would probably be the place for such a suit and, again, use google to find the laws in your area.
2007-11-23 01:45:17 · answer #4 · answered by Spock (rhp) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wit hold rent till things are fixed and the heat is on. Make sure to put it in writing and send it certified. Start a log on repairs needed when you asked them to be done. Take pictures and log temperate in your apartment. Having a good paper trail is important and will help you to get at least our of your lease.
2007-11-23 01:42:09 · answer #5 · answered by Iris R 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Depending on the state you live in and what your lease states. Assuming you signed a lease, there should be a clause there that stipulates your rights. If not, then contact a lawyer (some will give advice over the phone and not charge). But I would say that you definitely should be able to break your lease.
2007-11-23 01:44:05 · answer #6 · answered by anna 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Instead of breaking your lease, which may cause you to lose your security deposit, you should contact your city's Housing Department. They will contact your landlord and force him to make repairs. You may not even have to pay rent until everything is fixed. Good luck.
2007-11-23 01:43:01 · answer #7 · answered by I'm with Stupid. 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
do not pay rent untill he does something n in your state mite be laws for tenants call the gas company n ask for numbers where u can call for complaints of not having heater but do not pay the rent tell them that once he fix all the issues u will pay him
2007-11-23 01:59:31 · answer #8 · answered by bril 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call the health department. In every area, it is illegal to rent a home that doesn't have heat.
Also call code enforcement.
2007-11-23 02:03:09 · answer #9 · answered by Expert8675309 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Report it to the environmental health people,They cannot reveal the identity of the complainant so he should never know.We did in our last place,
2007-11-23 01:44:52 · answer #10 · answered by sweet cheeks 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋