Hi
Our landlord ignores our emails and will not respond to our questions re: fixing problems in our rental home. We have sump pump issues, broken stairways and other issues. We sent a registered letter, giving him 10 days in which to fix the problems.
What do we do now?
If he does not respond or fix the problems, what can we do?
Withhold rent in escrow?
Leave the property?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Very best wishes
Lisa
2007-12-17 00:39:25 · 8 answers · asked by lisa.farrell2@btinternet.com 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
Did you in addition tell him what you would do if he did not respond in the 10 days, such as then we will move out?
Give 30 days notice in writing RRR and then move. You may have to give 60 in your area, heck it out.
Take hundreds of pics to substantiate your allegations in case of a suit or that you have to sue him to get the deposit back.
ADDED
Withholding rent is a very risk thing to do depending on the EXACT nature of the needed repairs.
2007-12-17 00:45:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Withholding rent is always a tricky thing. Maybe in escrow it's okay. I really don't know. I do know this...safety is parimount in a rental home. If the stairs are broken that's a safety violation and against code. If the sump pump is allowing ground water to stand in your basement that's a health hazard and in violation of code. If the landlord will not respond after one more certified attempt call the health department and report him. PS I'd pay the rent to insure you've kept your end of the contract. Good luck and Merry Christmas Lisa to you and yours
2007-12-17 00:48:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A quick look at NH law indicates that you can only do the 'rent escrow' thing after a court order indicating that you can do so. You would have to take the landlord to court to obtain some sort of judgment.
You are not clear on the nature of your 'issues'. According to NH law, unrepaired issues worthy of lawsuit are those which seriously affect the habitability or safety of the premises. In other words, your complaints may or may NOT qualify as sufficiently serious to win any court action. You will need to investigate further in your area to see how strong your case would be, based upon the nature of the deficiencies.
2007-12-17 00:55:18 · answer #3 · answered by acermill 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
you cant legally withhold the rent
you can go to the local health dept and file a complain, also the local building inspector's office, they can come and look at the problems, make a list and send it to the landlord
they will typically give them 24 hours to correct dangerous conditions
30 days for non dangerous conditions and longer for major work that might be found
of course they mayalso take away the certificate of occupancy and kick you out if the house is really bad
2007-12-17 00:49:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check local landlord tenant laws. In most cases you can do the repairs yourself or have a contractor do them and submit the repair receipt in lieu of a rent check.
2007-12-17 00:43:01 · answer #5 · answered by dahopdawg 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on your contract, with my rental home we have to do all the repairs including plumbing. Check your contract, if he does have to fix them withhold rent.
2007-12-17 00:42:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Contact your local court and an official will further direct you.
2007-12-17 00:48:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
hi lisa, i would report him find out from your local citizens advise who you would need to report him to,or i would not pay the rent until he does something about it,its legal requirement that he maintains the property ,i hope it works out for you good luck.
2007-12-17 00:45:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋