How long does my landlord have to fix the well at the home we rent from him?

Question

We have been without running water for almost a week. The very day it happened I called our landlord and reported it to him and he said that he was out of town and wouldn't be able to fix it for a few days. I have 2 very young children and need running water. Last night I had to give them baths in a cold bucket of water that we got from our church. It was horrible. We have called him everyday to see if we could get someone out here to fix it and he doesn't want anyone else to look at it. He always does repairs himself to save money. He still has not come home and it has been 5 days now. What are our rights? Isn't this considered illegal on his part?

Answer 1

I bekieve you can call out a repair person and take it off the rent water is a legalally recognised requirement for occupation of a proprorty.

Answer 2

Yes, it is illegal. The landlord is required to supply running water at all times.

Call your local housing code enforcement. An inspector will come out and force repairs or fine the landlord for the violation.

Answer 3

Are you in the USA?  If so, you should have something called  "code enforcement ".  They may be able to help you, if not ask them where you should turn for assistance with your problem.  If you find nothing under code enforcement in the government section of your phone book, call the local fire station and see if they can give you a lead on code enforcement (it may be called something else where you are).

If you get code enforcement to help, they will most likely give him a very limited time to make the repair.  If he does not he will get a fine, regardless of what happens he will be very angry with you for contacting them and try to  find a way to evict you.  So be prepared for that but one thing is for sure you cannot go without water!

Make sure you look at your lease very carefully, your landlord may have a clause there regarding how much time he has to make a repair.  Please don't withhold your rent, in most cases you can be evicted for that (not fair, I know).  My experience is with commercial multi-family dwellings ie: apartment complexes.  

From what you have written you are dealing with an individual who leases a property he owns and with that comes different rules/standards they must abide by.  Much more lenient to the landlord than an apartment complex is regarding tenants rights.

I am so sorry this is happening to you, it's just plain wrong.

Mia

Answer 4

You have a legal right to water.   24/48 hours is "reasonable".

He needs to get a well service out there by morning or you should call one yourself.   They charge about 85 to do a general service, a new well costs about 200.