What to Do When Your Landlord Refuses to Fix Something

Living in an apartment requires a balance between maintaining a safe, clean, and habitable living environment. If your landlord refuses to address necessary repairs, it can lead to serious issues that compromise the safety and well-being of all residents. However, resolving such situations requires a strategic and proactive approach.

Who to Contact for Help

First and foremost, determine where you live, and use that information to find your local housing authority and rent stabilization board. These organizations are there to assist tenants with housing issues. You can reach out to them by phone or online. When you contact these entities, they will ask you several key questions to help identify the root cause of the issue and determine the appropriate course of action.

What exactly is not being fixed? What condition was the problem in when you first moved in, and did you cause any damage or did it simply break down over time? What does your lease agreement state regarding maintenance and repairs? Have you communicated with the landlord about the issue, and do you have any proof that they were unresponsive?

These local authorities are equipped to handle these matters and work towards a resolution.

Understanding Your Responsibilities

When living in an apartment, it is crucial to ensure that the rental property is safe, clean, and habitable. If any of these aspects are compromised, the landlord is legally obligated to rectify the situation. Merely complaining online or here may provide temporary relief but will not solve the underlying problem.

To address these issues effectively, you should proactively engage with city or county officials who specialize in housing-related matters. They can provide guidance and support. As a tenant, it is your responsibility to inform your landlord about the issues and follow up appropriately.

When communicating with the landlord, it is essential to document all interactions. Send emails or texts that can be used to prove that the landlord has either addressed the issue or communicated with you about their plans for resolution. However, it's important to note that conversations taped without the permission of both parties may not be admissible in court. If you recount a conversation without a record, the level of proof and authenticity may be diminished.

Assessing the Repair

It's also helpful to ask yourself, “Is this repair something you need or something you would like to have?”. A lot of tenants tend to use hyperbole around terms like “needs” and “refuses”. Not performing a repair on your specific timeline does not necessarily mean the landlord is refusing. Instead, the repair may be folded into the landlord's ongoing maintenance and repair schedule with appropriate prioritization.

If you have reported the issue in writing and the landlord agreed to a cure period, they are required to fix it or face a breach of contract. In this case, you may need to consult a local lawyer to understand your legal rights and options in your county.

If you reported the problem verbally, the landlord is generally within their rights to ignore it. However, if the issue presents a danger to your health and safety, you should still escalate the matter to the appropriate housing authority.

Proactively addressing these issues can help prevent further complications and ensure that your living environment remains safe and habitable.