Landlord is a jerk and lives next door. We can’t afford to move right now abut he will not make repairs?
I could call the county and they would enforce the law, maybe, but have been known to be paid off. We have lived here over 5 years, paid rent on time, never caused problems and have helped them out. But, I have a lot of problems here… electrical, plumbing, the works. When I told them my door had rotted, they assured me they would put a new one up for me then bought themselves a new one and didn’t mess with mine. My basement flooded for the 5th time and they assured me my sump pump did work and won’t do anything about that. Legal, in this county, is a joke. I can’t move now and need to figure out how to beat this clown at his own game. He told his wife he fixed the toilet and they have to now call a plumber in, but they won’t. My yard is flooded, as is the basement. In the summer, it’s ok, or when it’s not raining, it’s ok. Unless you count all the other problems. He said I can’t paint, wallpaper or put up new panel. Duh. It’s been years since we moved in.
Tagged with: Clown • Landlord • Sump Pump
Filed under: Renting & Real Estate
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Get some legal advice. Ask if it would be wise for you to put your rent in an escrow account and send the landlord a certified letter with a list of the problems and a timeframe in which he must make the repairs.
Save up enough money to move no matter how long it takes. Then move and HINT; don’t rent one that is next door to the owner.
The fact that you claim your county code enforcer takes bribes makes the rest of your story suspicious.
Even if he is really a slumlord, he won’t change. You can get the place declared un-inhabitable and then he’ll be forced to evict you. I moved around a lot until I found the right place. You can do it if you really put your mind to it. Take a temporary night job as a janitor to raise the cash if necessary.
You could also just quit paying rent and in the 5 months it will take to legally evict you, save the money to rent a new place. Unfortunately the eviction could work against you in finding a new place.
When you say you can do nothing legally, then you have eliminated all your sensible options.
Legally, you need to write him a letter stating what is wrong with your place. Document these things with pictures and friends to testify. In california you can then use rent to make repairs. Your state? find out from some tenant help people.
is there a housing authority in your town?? you should report him…as no one should be forced to live this way. depending on your income, maybe you could get some free legal advise. try the yellow pages for a lawyer association. look for the housing authority. if the county is paid off…then go to the state….this can not go on. there are laws about this.
turn him in to the county and force him to work on your place
Have a look at the information on the site listed below – especially the part about holding back a portion of the rent. You can also find the right sample letter to write him on that site. Good luck!
You didn’t say what state you’re in. Many states have “repair and deduct” rules, where you put in writing your request for repairs. If they’re not done in 30 days, you can have them done yourself and deduct the cost from your rent.
Contact a local tenants rights organization for further info.
Im a condo owner in this order do these things, trust me its a LONG process but it eventually pays off. CAUTION…..you have to PROVE this is happening. So take pictures or record it. Dont do anything incriminating to yourself. Record ALL documents both past and present.
1)confront tennent about issues.
1a) paperwork
2)attend homeowners meeting
3)petetion including home owners
4)seek legal advice
5)sue—–LAST RESORT
goodluck
Kill him.