Our furnace hasn't been working properly for three weeks now and living in Saskatchewan in winter makes that a very bad thing. It'll come on maybe once or twice a day, but the house is never above 17 degrees. Is there something my roommates and I can do (ie withhold rent) until it does get fixed? He knows about the problem, just refuses to do anything about it.
2007-12-12 14:25:03 · 21 answers · asked by Gayle 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
you all don't have to pay the rent if the landlord doesn't want to fix anything in his property. I would withhold the rent to see if he fixs the furnance and if he tries to put u all out, go to higher authority and that will solve the problem.
2007-12-12 14:33:20 · answer #1 · answered by chantell210 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In the usa the tenant/landlord law states a landlord is responsible to furnish ac and heating to keep the inside a minimum of 72 degrees, unless otherwise stated in the lease...simply search exactly as typed below to find out the laws for your area...rent can be withheld here in the usa, but you have to go to the proper ways of doing it..here you have to send them a registered letter 15 days prior to rent is due..then file with the courts and deposit the rent money with the courts in "escrow" which they will rellease to them once the problem is corrected..sometimes an inconveinence such as this which can cause death..they will award the rent money back to you totally that is in escrow..also at this temperature..they can be due to pay for temporary housing untill the problem is fixed, since this is a situation that can cause medical and/or death conditions...search through some of these links, or call the local code enforcement
2007-12-13 07:45:56 · answer #2 · answered by pcbeachrat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you pay the heating bill or is it included in the rent? Call a furnace repair person and tell them you need an estimate on fixing the furnace. Give a copy of that to the landlord via registered mail. Call social services with that information and report the landlord. Call the newspaper too. If you don't pay your rent he may be able to boot you out. Very best bet, contact a lawyer for advice.
2007-12-12 22:36:01 · answer #3 · answered by bin there dun that 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First, check your rights. Read through your rental agreement and see if it is addressed in there. Second, talk to someone. There are local govt agencies that deal with renter issues.
If you choose to with hold rent, put it in a savings account until the situation is addressed so you can pay if you need to. Looks good in court. Also, keep track of your communications with your landlord, registered letters need to be signed and verified when delivered. Keeps tabs on what you have done to fix the situation. I learned a long time ago, if it's not written down, it didn't happen! And remember, be nice. Professional always wins. Good luck!
2007-12-12 22:30:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Almost every city and province (state) has laws of habitability requiring that a provider of housing must maintain water and heat. Start by asking the govenmental unit you live under (city, county?, province) what the laws are and look around for a tenents union or similar activist group. Most governments have made it difficult to withhold rent legally, but your might be different. You may have to go to a legal clinic or lawyer to get help to take it to court. If you are in college, check around there for assistance.
2007-12-12 22:30:46 · answer #5 · answered by Mike1942f 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Yes he is responsible for repairing that furnace. I am not sure who the first person would be to discuss this issue with. Just to get some kind of idea try contacting someone at your local City Hall or Chamber of Commerce. I know there is someone out there that handles issues with landlords responsibilities.
2007-12-12 22:32:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
By law a landlord is responsible for maintaining the premises. The only thing you can do, is fix it yourself and then give him the receipt for it and take it off of your rent. Or you can file a complaint with the housing authority. I hope this helps you.
2007-12-12 22:28:22 · answer #7 · answered by DefiantRican 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I believe that heating, electrical, and plumbing are part of the owners responsibility. However your contract may read differently. If the malfunction is your fault, you must fix it. This is a health issue, perhaps the Dept of Health can interceed on your behalf. He might ask you to move, in that case take him to court, for being a slumlord. Good luck, and God be with you
2007-12-12 22:36:35 · answer #8 · answered by angels_angelsarehere 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Before you withhold rent, put it in writing that you requested service for something that was provided in the lease and the landlord did not comply. Send him a copy through certified mail.
First, it will give him incentive to do something. Also, if he tries to sue you or evict you for nonpayment, you have something to bring to court to explain why you didn't pay.
2007-12-12 22:31:23 · answer #9 · answered by deirdrezz 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Depends on where you live. Here in NY definitely - there is a hot line you call, the city get the heat working and goes after the landlord. It may be different where you live.
2007-12-12 22:29:53 · answer #10 · answered by hfrankmann 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋