Landlord problems, PLZ help!!!?

The basement has been flooded with sewage for weeks. the fridge has never worked. we have to eat out or take out for most meals. the furnace does not turn on. the roof has leaked since we moved in - in the middle of july - and is just NOW getting fixed. there is a mold smell in the bathroom that i have to take care of daily to keep ok. now there is a sewage smelling leak on the floor by the staircase!!!! there is a crack forming on the wall where water continues to leak from the bathroom above the main entrance. the pipe leaks, and i have to use a plastic bottle to keep it in place so water won't go all over the place. it's a HUGE, gorgeous house from the early 1900's and rent was about too cheap to be good. now i know why? what can i do? the landlord lives out of state. i demanded somebody inspect the house, and he finally came yesterday. he told here it's only WATER in the basement, and that there was no mold, only mildew from kids showering. HELP. I want to talk to legal aid tomorow

well since you have a basement i will assume you do not live in florida... and all i know is that in florida,, you have to tell your landlord about each problem you want addressed
i think you need 3 chances tp fix it
if he doesnt then you must give a 7 day warning that you will withold rent until repairs or made
this way everything is done buy the book incase he tries to evict you
after that point your not responsible for rent owed until repairs are made..
and then the court may order him to pay to repair or pay for your moving expenses

I strongly suggest you contact legal counsil because they know the state laws for whatever state you live in regarding "slum lord" type landloards. I found a website that may shed some light until you can contact an attorney: http://www.tenant.net/Other_Areas/Calif/misc/tenant.html

(It's for california, but I don't forsee much difference in the laws)

4. IF REPAIRS ARE NEEDED, WHAT SHOULD I DO?
An important court decision states that in each rental agreement
there is an implied warranty of "habitability" (i.e., a landlord must
put a building unto a condition fit for human occupancy). You cannot
sign away your right to this warranty of habitability. (Green v.
Superior Court (1974) 111 Cal Reptr. 704)

A landlord must repair all problems which fall under his/her
minimum obligations, unless the damages were caused by your lack
of care. A landlord's minimum obligations include that:

1. There are no leaks when it rains, and no broken doors or
windows.
2. The plumbing has to work, including hot and cold water, and
there must be a working sewer or septic tank connection.
3. The heater has to work and be safe.
4. The lights and wiring have to work and be safe.
5. Floors, stairways and railings have to be in good repair.
6. When it's rented, the place has to be clean, with no piles of
trash or garbage and no rats, mice, roaches or other pests.
7. The landlord has to provide enough cans or bins with covers
for the garbage. (Sec. 1941 of CC)

If you have problems with any of the above, the law says that
you should take each of the following steps:

1. Inform your landlord about the needed repairs, making sure
your landlord knows exactly what is wrong. You may do this
orally or in writing, but written notice will offer you better
protection.

2. Wait a reasonable amount of time for the repairs to be
made. "Reasonable" depends on the circumstances. If you
don't have heat in a cold month, you only have to wait a few
days. The law says that 30 days is "presumed" to be
reasonable. This means that if you wait fewer than 30 days
and the case goes to court, you must prove the shorter wait
was reasonable.

3. If the repairs are not made by the landlord within a
reasonable time, you make have the made yourself. Keep a
record of the costs and then deduct them from your next
rental payment. Or you may move out and not be responsible
for paying any more rent.

If you make the repairs on your own, the cost you deduct can't be
more than one month's rent, and you can't use this right more than
two times in any 12-month period. (Sec. 1942 of CC) You cannot give
up your legal right to repair and offset (deduct the cost) unless your
rent was lowered because you agreed to do things your landlord
normally is required to do. But if you made such an agreement
under pressure in order to get your place, the agreement is not
binding.

You may try another approach to get your landlord to fix the
problem. If your place does not meet the required standards of
habitability, you also could stop paying rent until the needed repairs
are made. If your landlord takes you to court, you can argue that
you have the right to withhold some rent to get the landlord to make
repairs. However, you should talk to a lawyer before withholding
rent because this is a complicated process. If you withhold some of
the rent, you probably should also deposit it into a special "escrow"
account, to show that you are willing to pay the rent if the landlord
makes the repairs. A special savings account or an account set up by
the court are examples of a special account.

just take an action about ur landlord.he must be punished

Tell him that you are worried about health issues and would like the local authority's health inspectors to visit. In the meanwhile check out the authority's position on this - talk to them without actually arranging a visit until the landlord has got back to you.

You know, you can always withhold the rent. But you don't just withhold it and pocket the money. Send a certified letter to the landlord explaining everything that's wrong with the property, and how long these things have been in this condition. Taking pictures is also a VERY good idea. Tell him that if he doesn't fix everything that's broken you'll be forced to withhold the rent, and you'll be applying the rent to repairs. Give him a month to respond. If he doesn't respond, or doesn't start repairs within that time, you start doing it yourself. KEEP ALL RECEIPTS. Make copies, and send them to him. I don't know where you live, but here in Buffalo the city will take receivership of properties like this. That's what happened to us, and receivership sucks because the city isn't doing much more to get stuff fixed around here then the landlord was. Anyway, good luck man, you're gonna need it.

Call the health department,it's a health hazard and he is ignoring it!!!!

I'm not to sure about what the law's are in the U.S.A. but here in Canada you would call the Board of Health. They would inspect your home and make a court order for the repairs to be done. If not the they send someone out to fix them and bill the landlord. Mold is toxic, and more so to kids. It can and will cause many lung infections, including asthma. Try your local member of government and see if they in any way can help you with this. Hope this helps in some way. Good luck.

i would look over your rental contract, thats what it comes down to. after seeking legal help we realized that the landlord stated in our contract that he was not liable for the reliablity of appliances and any "toilet" problems(although we didnt have any issues). BUT some states have laws that state the house must be liveable, (and all that jazz)which it sounds like yours isnt!!! seek legal advice!

you can bring in the department of health. legally you are allowed to break your lease if the living conditions are unsuitable which they clearly are.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment:

Archive: Forum -Forum -Finance - Links - 1 - 2 - RSS - All RSS Feeds
The Causes and the Results. 0.024
Copyright (c) 2011 Financial Crisis Tuesday, May 29, 2012 - Terms of use - Privacy Policy