What Recourse Does a Tenant Have with a Bad Landlord?
Tenants have rights, too! You've all heard stories in the news about Landlords who have neglected their occupied rental property, and the tenant suffers greatly. It's not only in the very big cities. It happens in our area of Connecticut, too.
Things like a heating system in disrepair, broken stove, falling down sheetrock, and leaky pipes that prevent a tenant from using the property as intended are absolutely shameful on the part of the Landlord- should not be tolerated, and depending upon the specific wording in your lease, you- as an aggrieved tenant, may have some recourse
First things first. When you initially look at the property, check for signs of maintenance neglect. That may very well be a good indication as to how things might go if you have a problem if you decide to lease the property. One small item that needs repair should not present itself as a red flag, but uncovering a few issues upon your initial inspection should signal to you that you may encounter a problem should you decide to enter into an agreement with this particular Landlord.
If you see a property that you would like to rent and it needs repair, and the landlord says he/she will fix the item(s), MAKE SURE IT IS IN WRITING WITHIN THE LEASE, AND HAS A DATE THAT THE REPAIR MUST BE COMPLETED BY.
If there are other tenants at the property, ask them how the Landlord has reacted when repairs needed to be done. They will give you an honest assessment. Their answer does not affect them personally.
The Lease. Read that lease thoroughly and entirely. If you are not clear on any part of it, contact an attorney to review it for you. It is a legal contract. Look specifically for the repair clause, and what specific remedies are in place, if any. There may even be a deductible on repairs that you will have to pay, even if the issue has nothing to do with your misuse or neglect.
There should also be a section in the lease that refers to quiet enjoyment, and functionality of the apartment or dwelling, and if not rectified within a reasonable amount of time, that the lease can be canceled without penalty.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Issues involving safety should be reported to the local health department.
Remember , this is a legally binding agreement, and that goes for both parties. The law tends to favor tenants over Landlords in these kinds of matters.
And a note From Judy: If you have a question about renting a home or apartment in Fairfield County, and are in need of an Realtor to represent you, I invite you to contact me, and if you have an idea for a topic that you would like to see on The CT Realty Blog, please include it in the "Post a Comment" section link below this post. We appreciate the feedback and look forward to providing you with the best real estate content, advice and service in Fairfield County, Connecticut.
