Letter Landlord Problem

The NSW tenant factsheet states that urgent repairs, including blocked toilets, are the responsibility of the landlord. When urgent repairs are required, the tenant must notify the landlord as soon as possible - preferably in writing.

What is the Law? In California, there is no legal definition for unsafe living conditions. Generally, the rule of thumb is that if your living environment affects your health or safety, then it can be considered an unsafe living condition.

When you rent, your landlord is responsible for maintaining the functional aspects of your home such as plumbing, electricity, and heating. Landlords must also generally take action when flooding, a clogged pipe, pest infestation, or other problems occur.

The legal definition of an unsanitary living condition can vary from state-to-state and even county-to-county. However, generally speaking, these definitions might include but are not limited to: excessive dirt or filth in the home. improper building construction or poor maintenance of living quarters.

One way to get your landlord to fix bad conditions is to withhold all or some of your rent until the landlord actually makes the repairs. This is called "rent withholding." Tenants have a right to withhold rent because landlords are obligated to provide safe and habitable housing under the warranty of habitability.

In California, habitability includes the following specific warranties: A dwelling also may be considered uninhabitable (unlivable) if it substantially lacks any of the following: Effective waterproofing and weather protection of roof and exterior walls, including unbroken windows and doors.

Your landlord has to keep your home in a good condition and do repairs if you need them. They can't make you leave your home just for asking for repairs to be done - your landlord has to follow a proper eviction process if they want you to leave.

If there is a problem, such as a burst pipe resulting from the landlord's failure to maintain the property, the tenant cannot be held responsible. If a tenant has detected a problem and reported it to the landlord, it is the owner's responsibility to fix them.