My damn landlord!

[Spooner]

- If after a "Reasonable amount of time" you are still having problems you may go ahead and repair it yourself, give the landlord a copy of the bill, and take it out of your rent yourself

I don't think this is an option considering we have no additional rent to pay.

 

[Spooner]

i assume a broken refrigerator is grounds for an "emergency" repair, considering a landlord cannot rent out an apartment without one (Massachusetts claims that makes a place "uninhabitable")

 

[Ausm]

Originally posted by: Spooner

Originally posted by: Spooner

Originally posted by: brtspears2
My landlord hasn't maintained his place for years. I just do all the repairs and deduct. He has no problems as it saves him the trouble of calling a handyman.

Can you legally just go ahead and do that?

Actually, we wouldn't be able to do this anyway...we already paid for this month and we're moving at the end of it

Sounds like he might try to shaft ya on the S.D. Also ...

Ausm

 

[Iron Woode]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: Iron Woode

Originally posted by: Spooner

Originally posted by: brtspears2
My landlord hasn't maintained his place for years. I just do all the repairs and deduct. He has no problems as it saves him the trouble of calling a handyman.

Can you legally just go ahead and do that?

Yes you can.

At least here we have laws that dictate just how long it must take a Landlord to fix things. If he takes too long after repeated requests, you can get the repairs done by someone else and give the bill to the Landlord.

Not always. Greatly depends on the state. So check YOUR state laws before trying this.

But do as someone else said, send a ceterfied letter stating the problems. And also ask for rent back for the days you were without fridge.

I live in Ontario Canada. We have city and Provincial laws reguarding this particular issue. I won't go into details, but usually after 1 verbal request that something be fixed and it is not fixed, 2 written requests must be made. After that, the tenant can then get it fixed by someone else and give the bill to the landlord.

 

[Drakkon]

well since u say mass why not read the laws :
http://www.rentlaw.com/massachusettslandlord.htm

Kitchens: The landlord must provide within the kitchen: a sink of sufficient size and capacity for washing dishes and kitchen utensils, a stove and oven in good repair (unless your written lease requires you to provide your own), and space and proper facilities for the installation of a refrigerator. The landlord does not have to provide a refrigerator. If a refrigerator is provided, however, the landlord must keep it in working order.

AND

Repair and Deduct: A tenant may make emergency repairs in an apartment or common living area and deduct up to four months future rent to pay for them, if three conditions are met:

The local Board of Health or other code enforcement agency has certified that the present conditions endanger the health or safety of the tenants;
The landlord receives written notice of the existing violations from the inspecting agency; and
The landlord is given 5 days from the date of notice to begin repairs or to contract for outside services and 14 days to substantially complete all necessary repairs.
(Note: If ordered by the court or the local code enforcement agency to make repairs in less than 14 days, then the landlord must comply with the shorter time frame.)

good luck!