Our landlord refuses to make repairs, wont turn on the swamp cooler, did not clean up after previous tenants and makes us responsible for paying 2 months of previous water bill that are over dur by last tenants. We have discussed this with her and she stated "some things werent perfect when I lived there and wont be for you." For the water bill she stated "that is between you and the last tenants, I would expect you'll pay it or it'll be turned off." Harrasing phone calls and all.

JudyKayTee

Send a registered letter and tell the landlord if the repairs are not made in 30 days you will have them made and bill her. Of course, if you do this there's a real good chance you'll be evicted.

Did you change the name on the water bill when you moved in? In my area the tenant CAN pay but the property owner is ultimately responsible because it's considered to be a tax.

I think I would get out of the apartment/house - things will only get worse.

rockinmommy

Do you have a written lease? (Please say yes) What does it say about all of these various problems. As far as the water bill....take your lease tothe water office. That's proof of the day you moved in and they can't charge you for service prior to that date.

Why can't you just turn the swamp cooler on yourself?

In a legal battle, these things will all come down to what your lease says - who is responsible for what, etc. If there's no written lease, then your state's property code becomes the lease.

If there's no written lease, I'd give 30 days notice (or whatever your state requires) and find a new place to live. It sounds like a dump and she sounds like a slum-lord.