Can I sue my landlady for negligence?
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Can I sue my landlady for negligence?
I’ve lived in the home for 5 years and have contacted her for quite a few needed repairs she has yet to make. Examples: 1. Additional room at end of house was destroyed by a tree prior to my moving in 5 years ago, finally last year I tore the room off due to safety reasons (broken glass hanging from windows, etc). 2. Sewage coming from the ground on neighboring property belonging to same landlady, I reported it 6 months ago and she has yet to even look at it. 3. Back wall to house can be moved easily just by shutting the back door. I reported it 2 years ago, no response. Many, many more examples to go.
Asked on September 11, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
In all states in this country the owner of real property who rents it out to a tenant is obligated to provide safe and habitable conditions for his or her tenants. From what you have written, the conditions of the rental that you occupy are and have been in poor shape.
Since the landlord has been unresponsive in rectifying the problems that you have with the unit, you should consider the following:
1. contact your local health and safety department and request an inspection of your rental. If it gets cited, your landlord will have to rectify the problems shortly;
2. contact your local building and permit department and request an inspection of your rental. If its gets cited, your landlord will be required to make the repairs needed.
From what you have written, you have a factual basis for bringing a lawsuit against your landlord for poor housing conditions where your damages would be a rebate of monies paid over the occupancy of the unit when the conditions were poor.
Good luck.
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