Rent question

hanlonfive · #1 03/28/08, 10:12 PM

Ok, I have a friend that is renting and the landlord is refusing to fix a few things around the house they are renting. I know that there is a way you can put money into a special "fund" that you can put the rent into until the landlord actually fixes the stuff so that you won't get evicted. I don't know who they could contact though to find out more info, soooo I thought I would ask all of you wonderful resourceful people

Thanks in advance!!!!!

Peace and blessings,

Kelli

tamsam · #2 03/28/08, 11:24 PM

Here in WV we have a place called Cris Cross that tells all the renters rights. I'm sure most states have something like that. Maybe call the buildng code people or human resourses and ask them. Hope you can find out. Here if it is something that could be a health problem such as no heat or leaky roof it has steps you go thru and I can't remember but they have to fix it or you can live there for free. Good luck finding imfo. Sam

steff bugielski · #3 03/29/08, 05:24 AM

They should call the building inspector, but be ware. If the things that need fixing are major the building inspector could condemn the property then they must move out.

Severian · #4 03/29/08, 06:41 AM

Here in ohio, you can put your rent money in escrow until the lanlord fixes things. I believe any bank can handle that, but there is a fee. You can check the ohio landlord tenant assoc for more info here :

http://www.ohiolandlordtenant.com/revised.html

PaLady · #5 03/29/08, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steff bugielski

They should call the building inspector, but be ware. If the things that need fixing are major the building inspector could condemn the property then they must move out.

This is true, however, if the building is condemned, the landlord is responsible for the security deposit and first month's rent on a new place for you...I just went through this less than a month ago.

suitcase_sally · #6 03/29/08, 09:15 AM

Ask him if you can do the repairs and deduct it from the rent. Most will do this, unless it's frivilous (SP) things like "I need new curtains", or "I want a new color paint in the bedroom".

hanlonfive · #7 03/29/08, 09:50 AM

Thank you for the wonderful responses!!!!! I'll have them check into it!

Peace and blessings,

Kelli

Beaners · #8 03/29/08, 09:56 AM

If all of these things don't bring satisfaction, call the local news. It seems like our news has a story every week about one bad landlord or another.

Kayleigh

agmantoo · #9 03/29/08, 10:28 AM

The FIRST thing you need to do is to make the request in Writing! Then wait 10 days before taking a more drastic action.

texican · #10 03/29/08, 12:55 PM

First thing they should do, is stop renting, and become freeholders. If you rent, you're (peasant) at the mercy of the landlord (lord).

If they don't like the landlords hovel, find another landlord with a better hovel.

I'd rather live in a tarpaper shack, and own it, than live in a mansion, owned by another.

(I know, I was of no help at all...)

Old Vet · #11 03/29/08, 01:51 PM

Just because you rent an area you don't have the right to fix anything. If you rent a home and it is not what you want then move. That way the landlord will have to fix things or rent it to someone else in the condition it is in.

SHELBY · #12 03/29/08, 01:59 PM

I think it also depends on what needs fixing and if it broke on it's own or they broke it.

Kevingr · #13 03/29/08, 02:13 PM

It all depends on the state you live in. In MN there's a minimum level that the building needs to be at in order to rent it and the landlord doesn't need to fix anything beyond that if they don't want to. But, if it's anything that makes the house unfit such as no heat or water, then you can withhold rent, plus the landlord would need to pay the renter damages. But all that is outlined in a book that the state put together out of the Attorney Generals office, you should check with them for specifics in your state.

Jinxie · #14 03/29/08, 06:02 PM

its putting it into an escrow account. any bank or even the local district court may have one..if not the local bank can set up an account for your friend. if it goes to court, its usually a sure defense against eviction for non payment of rent, because it "shows" the judge they have the money, and aren't using it (w/h rent) as an excuse to have more time to come up with it later.

let me know if you need more info...

edcopp · #15 03/29/08, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Severian

Here in ohio, you can put your rent money in escrow until the lanlord fixes things. I believe any bank can handle that, but there is a fee. You can check the ohio landlord tenant assoc for more info here :

http://www.ohiolandlordtenant.com/revised.html

Wrong answer about "any Bank".

To use the escrow provision in Ohio law the tenant must first prove that the landlord is wrong in court.

If the landlord is proven wrong then the rent money can be escrowed with the court (only).

So it depends on what the lease or rental agreement says. This matter is usually settled in small claims court. Check at the court house in the county seat in the county where the rental property is located.

People who escrow rent money in the wrong place or without the required court order, usually get evicted.

donsgal · #16 03/29/08, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texican

First thing they should do, is stop renting, and become freeholders. If you rent, you're (peasant) at the mercy of the landlord (lord).

If they don't like the landlords hovel, find another landlord with a better hovel.

I'd rather live in a tarpaper shack, and own it, than live in a mansion, owned by another.

(I know, I was of no help at all...)

No help maybe. But good, solid advice just the same.

donsgal

stickinthemud · #17 03/29/08, 10:21 PM

My BIL in Ohio says if they are in Ohio they can check out www.cohhio.org or Cleveland Tenants Organization at http://clevelandtenants.org. If they're elsewhere google "tenant's rights" and look for a website in that state.

hanlonfive · #18 04/01/08, 10:01 PM

Thanks Sticks!!!!

General Brown · #19 04/02/08, 12:17 AM

You also have too remember that if you decide to get the authorities involved, when its over its just "You and Him". You may find yourself in a worse pridicament.

kasilofhome · #20 04/02/08, 01:55 AM

Where I lived and rendted I requested in writing the repair. My case the washer did not wash. The owner replaced it with another used one that the installer could not get to work. Which lead to another washer which was purshased at the same used place and it did not work. The rent was comming up and washer # 3 had been pull no replacement as the used washing machine store was now out of every unit that could fit (stacked unit)
I check the laws.
1. I gave 10 days notice of the repair needed again
2. I gave the first request for the repair copy
3. I got a signed note from the laundry mat. for what I was spending
4. I got 3 bids for a new unit
5. The day the rent was due I walked into the managment company with everything

The rent due was noted say 1000
Less laundry mat cost
Less the lowest bid
and I wrote the check out for the rent due minus the lowest bid, and laundry. In my case the rent was due on the 1 and late if it past the 5th. I gave him 3 days and called if he wanted me to correct the issue. It was a win win.