We have been renting from the same landlord for almost two years. We have yet to see the lady. Parts of the roof had ben rotten since we moved in. We pay our rent to the landlords sister-in-law. I have asked the landlord's proxy numerous times to have the actual owner to come by the house when she was in town. When we moved in the same carpet that three other families lived on was still there. I asked, if I was willing to paint the walls, would they furnish 2 gallons of paint. No way. I say this just to show you what type person I am dealing with.

Well the other day we heard a loud crash. The bathroom ceiling caved in directly over the shower. Most of the debris fell in the tub. Another part of the ceiling is bulging. Walls are cracking and the place is infested with termites.

Do we have any recourse since living in this place under a lease with these problems. It is obvious that ceilings do not fall in overnite. This has been an ongoing problem. But in two years the owner has not once showed up at the place. As long as the rent is paid all is well.

In a situation like this you definitely have rights. Do you have a written lease? What state are you in? Is the house within city limits?

First of all, if you have a lease, read it thoroughly. It should state something in there about property condition, repairs, etc. Second, familiarize yourself with your state's landlord/tenant laws. There's a link in the first post in this forum to each state's laws. Take tons of pictures. Have you made repair requests in writing? If not, do so immediately. Write a detailed letter including the whole history of all the requests you've made that have been ignored as well as exactly what you're requesting right now. State in the letter that because you've had no response to these conditions for two years you'll now be seeking assistance elsewhere. Keep a copy for yourself, send a copy to the sister-in-law, and send a copy to the owner. Contact your local code enforcement office. I would also contact any and every local and/or state organization you can get the name of. Google your state and landlord, tenant, rental housing, tenant's rights, etc.

Are you wanting to stay? At this point if you want out I would think you'd have more than enough justification for breaking the lease and moving on.

Good luck,
Karla in TX