How to deal with a family member/landlord and they haven't fix the hole in the ceiling for two years. ?

Question

Ok, well we moved into this house and it looked really nice. My husbands aunt (the owner)showed us this house and everything looked fine, but what she didn't tell us is that the roof has had and still does have problems. When we first noticed it was leaking we called and her and her husband (the landlords). They said they would fix the problem and they have half *** tried more then a hand full of times. Then it's like they gave up and quit trying altogether. I feel like they are to cheap and to lazy to do anything about it. You would think they could hire someone to fix the problem. It also really upsets me because we have always paid our rent on time. To make things even worse the hole is in my children's play room and it just keeps getting bigger and bigger. I have been looking for a new house to rent for the past six months. It is just very hard to find a three bedroom home in a small town. I just don't know what to do, please help. Thank You.

Answer 1

I am unclear why there is a hole and how it gets bigger.

Since this is family you should get an estimate on the repair and have your husband take it to her.   This could get ugly, and you do not want that.

This is one reason you never do business with family, this things always come up.

Answer 2

.    A normal tenant could go to court and fill out one piece of paper. The judge makes the landlord fix the problem or you (the tenant) would be awarded a bunch of money for the troubles you have had.

YOu can't do that to Aunty.  So fix it yourself with a bucket of elastomeric coating ($20 a bucket at Home Depot) and fiberglass tape. Fixed in 30 minutes.  Or give notice and head for greener pastures.

Answer 3

If its a rental you can call the district attorney and see what they can do for you.  Yeah I know its relations but they couldn't rent it to non-relations so either they are called on it legally then you do move they will be able to rent it but personally I would just tack or staple a sheet on the roof until I moved out. *make it a blue sheet it will look like sky and the kids will love it.

Answer 4

They could hire someone to fix the problem they just aren't doing it.  the answer to your problem is do not rent to or rent from relatives.  I have a long standing rule .  No relatives in my rental homes.  I know that it is too late for you, but your husbands aunt knows that you will not take any kind of legal action against them because they are family. Step up your search for a different place to live .  Ask around call a real estate agent/  The agents charge the landlord not the renter for brokering rental deals.  

Answer 5

Write up a letter to officially tell them will hire someone to fix the leak in two weeks time and take the cost of it out of any future rent if they don't fix it within that time frame.

As landlords they are obligated to have the household in good repair. If they are unable to do it through their own efforts then they need to contract out.

Answer 6

you are in a tough spot, especially because it's family but your only options are to either move (which it sounds like you've been trying to do), put up with it and continue to bother them or go the legal route.  just do a web search about tenants rights and your state and you'll find a gov. bureau that is in charge of forcing neglectful landlords to do the work, you may not have a claim if it's a squeaky screen door but a structural matter is another story.  if its in your kids room is all the more reason to do it, but then again i don't have to live with the family hope this helps