Rhode Island Letter from Tenant to Landlord about Landlord's failure to make repairs

The landlord had a duty to reasonably maintain the property; The landlord knew or should have known of the dangerous condition; The landlord breached their duty by failing to repair/fix the dangerous condition;

Uninhabitable conditions can include dangerous ones, such as holes in the floor, unsafe or exposed wiring, or non-working air conditioning in dangerously hot summer months. Gross infestations of roaches, fleas or other pests are also uninhabitable conditions.

If you think your landlord is violating the Fair Housing Act, you can get that landlord in trouble by filing a complaint at HUD.gov. Your remedy for breach of quiet enjoyment is to terminate the lease and move or sue in small claims court.

Know your state's landlord/tenant laws. Read and respond to the court summons. Try to work out a settlement. Consider legal counsel. Show up for court. Look sharp and provide evidence.

Repairs. Your landlord is always responsible for repairs to: the property's structure and exterior. basins, sinks, baths and other sanitary fittings including pipes and drains.

Tenants can all agree to withhold rent until the landlord makes repairs. A group of tenants can ask a judge to order the landlord to make repairs. If the landlord absolutely refuses to fix the bad conditions, tenants can ask a court to appoint a temporary landlord called a receiver in order to make repairs.

Calling state or local building or health inspectors. withholding the rent. repairing the problem, or having it repaired by a professional, and deducting the cost from your rent (called repair-and-deduct) moving out, or.

Uninhabitable conditions can include dangerous ones, such as holes in the floor, unsafe or exposed wiring, or non-working air conditioning in dangerously hot summer months. Gross infestations of roaches, fleas or other pests are also uninhabitable conditions.

Make sure the repair is actually your landlord's responsibility. Document the problem thoroughly. Ask your landlord in writing to make the repair. Send your landlord a letter with return receipt requested.