What are my rights as a tenant when the property managment company won’t make repairs to the home after repeated requests?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

What are my rights as a tenant when the property managment company won’t make repairs to the home after repeated requests?

There is a leak in the dishwasher whch caused water to seep through walls and saturate carpet, padding, wood floor and grout in the bathroom. Black mold was found when they ripped up carpet looking for the leak. They also put several holes in the walls and pulled off molding when they were trying to find the leak that they don’t want to repair. Problem was found almost a month ago. Managment company told me, “If it’s the dishwasher just don’t used it” and “I have other things to worry about”. I’m not sure what my next step should be.

Asked on September 4, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Florida

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

You should consult with a landlord-tenant attorney, because you may have grounds for a legal action against your landlord, to force him to make repairs and/or to seek monetary compensation, such as a partial abatement (rebate) of rent for the time period you have lived with these conditions. All rentals come with what is known as the "implied warranty of habitability," or the obligation that the rental premises be "fit for their intended purpose," which in this case is residence. Conditions which impair habitability, like persistent leaks and black mold, can violate that warranty, giving rise to a legal claim. Also, if you are paying for an apartment with a dishwasher, if the dishwasher is nonfunctional, that may be a breach of your lease, since you are not getting what you paid for.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption