Trouble with landlord fixing things?

Question

We moved into a wonderful house with a big yard last October, we love the place the only problem is getting the landlord to fix things. When we moved in we noticed a small leak in the laundry room with a small patch of mold growing on the ceiling and the oven was not working, we of course informed the landlord. Now almost a year later neither are fixed and the mold has taken over half the ceiling. I'm going to write a letter to our landlord and inlude it with next months rent but I am having trouble coming up with a nice way to say fix it or we are going to move. can anyone help me please?

Answer 1

You should remind him in a nice way,suggesting he is a busy person,as he well might be,but the complaints you mention,justified as well,area concern to you.Possibly a phone call or a face to face meeting maybe be better,you could plan a chance meeting on the street,that kind of place,but just you two.

Answer 2

you need not be so upset in the future.

You have the idea already.

a letter is needed but not

any threats or warnings.

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seek this article I wrote.

Landlord Tenancy Law for Kids Seeking Their First Apartment [or House or Bedroom in a House]

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be glad to help you free.

Answer 3

The first question that popped into my was why you waited almost a year to contact the landlord since last letting him know.  As a tenant you have an obligation to advise a landlord of things that require repair.  You did that but you didn't follow through.  Thus the mold problem.  As a landlord he has an obligation to make repairs in a "timely" manner.  10 months is not a timely manner.  But it may be he either forgot or misplaced the request if you put it in writing.

Sorry for the reprimand but I think you needed to hear it.

Write a letter detailing your concerns and have him commit to a time frame.  Be courteous but clear in what needs to be done.  Avoid telling him "if this isn't done this is what we're going to do...".  That is inflammatory and may get his back up.  Explain what needs to be done, and arrange a time for him to come over and look at the problems.  It's important that he give you a time frame when the work will actually be completed.  It has to be in a "reasonable" time.  A week to me is reasonable.  The fact that it has been over 10 months is not a defense because you did not follow up on the original request for the past 10 months.

If he does not make good on the repairs, then it is time to explain that you have waited long enough and that unless they are taken care of immediately then you will have someone come in to do the work and will have to bill the landlord.  Take some pics of the ceiling for future reference.  This is within your rights to  get the work done.    Most landlords and tenants want to maintain good relations during a tenancy.  If he is a reasonable landlord and values you he will take care of the problem as quickly as possible.  Good luck

Answer 4

READ your lease, carefully.

Who pays the water bills?  This is impacting the monthly water bill, and causing damage to the house.  Letting the mold get so firmly entrenched makes it more difficult to get rid of.

Yes, a letter to your landlord, a copy with the rent and a copy mailed Certified Mail Return Receipt Requested to make him sit up and take notice.  State that you love the house.  Note the problems, that you orally informed him of them X times, starting with last October.  Note that repairs of such items are his responsibility according to lease.  Advise that because it is not only very inconvenient, but also a health hazard, and is costing you money in your water bill, that you will call in a repairman to fix the problems, he can pay them or you will deduct repair costs from your rent, if it is not fixed by date (give him 2 weeks).  Your lease probably doesn't permit you to do this, but if you end up in court, this will be seen as reasonable.  Wait the two weeks, line up a plumber, plasterer and stove repairman.  Send copies of estimates to LL and ask if he prefers to pay them or to have you deduct from your rent.

Answer 5

I had the same problem with my landlord. At first I made several phone calls. I voice recorded them, and wrote down on a calendar who I talked to, what I said and what my requests were. Secondly I took pictures making sure the date stamp was visible in the corner. After two weeks I sent a Certified letter. This shows proof that the letter was received because the person receiving the letter must sign for it, and you will have proof it was sent b/c the USPS gives you a stamped /sealed ticket. After my letter (explaining the situation : giant hole in ceiling, H2O leaking, mold growth, including copies of the photos, giving him available times that I would be present to fix, or could give him permission to enter) this did not work. I contacted Legal Aid in my area for advice on what steps to take next (also most colleges that have law schools have students that will/ can help you). I was told to begin to put my rent into escrow. I gave my landlord a month and told him he had until the end of the month to fix it, or my rent would go into escrow. Escrow is a party that takes neither side but holds the money until certain conditions are met. Basically after 1 month of rent money being in escrow my landlord got the point and fixed the ceiling.

Long story 3 years later the hole was only patched come to find out and I am moving in 1 month. Luckily none of my belongings were damaged. A landlord that doesn't keep property habitatble is breaking the lease. Contact HUD if you have other questions. Having you and your family living with mold is dangerous and can lead to serious respriatory infections / disease.

Good Luck!