My two roommates and I moved into a flat in October 2008. After a few days of living there we noticed many things that needed repairs, 2 of main concern were the security light in the back (it gets very dark to the point where you cannot see your hand in front of your face, and for 3 girls a security light is a safety measure.) and light switches which have wire problems. We informed the landlord of the issues by voicemails on his cell phone and e-mails. It took 2 months for the security light to be repaired. In the meantime, I ended up twisting my ankle and missing 2 days of work (I work in the medical field and an required to do a lot of walking, et cetera.) For the months of December and January I withheld my portion of the rent to try to get him to fix the light. A woman I know who is married to a lawyer said that you may take off a portion of rent due to living conditions not being up to par.

I spoke with the landlord last night after I e-mailed him about the washing machine and tubs overflowing, and he called me back to address this as well as the sujbect of the rent. He was very nasty and was threatening to evict my roommates and I if I didn't "pay up." I need to know if the steps I took are legal as I was informed of by my acquaintance. I do not have the money for a lawyer.

The second part to this is that the basement was filling with sewage water a couple weeks ago. We let the landlord know immediately. 4 days later he sent a plumber. The plumber found seven tampons in the piping or what have you, and stated this was the reason for the problem. The lease states that tampons are not to be flushed, we are aware of it, not to mention the three of us all grew up in households where this was not a practice due to the problems that it can cause and was enforced by our dads. There are 2 girls that live upstairs in a separate flat. The tenant that was living in the basement studio apartment adjascent to the laundry room told me that he moved out due to plumbing problems. When I ran into him one day, out and about. The landlord is trying to tell us that we have to pay for the repairs and damages, (all 5 people living in the house). Who is to say how the pipes got clogged? Can he really do this?

I feel like my roommates and I are being bullied. Help!

My two roommates and I moved into a flat in October 2008. After a few days of living there we noticed many things that needed repairs, 2 of main concern were the security light in the back (it gets very dark to the point where you cannot see your hand in front of your face, and for 3 girls a security light is a safety measure.) and light switches which have wire problems. We informed the landlord of the issues by voicemails on his cell phone and e-mails. It took 2 months for the security light to be repaired. In the meantime, I ended up twisting my ankle and missing 2 days of work (I work in the medical field and an required to do a lot of walking, et cetera.) For the months of December and January I withheld my portion of the rent to try to get him to fix the light. A woman I know who is married to a lawyer said that you may take off a portion of rent due to living conditions not being up to par.

I spoke with the landlord last night after I e-mailed him about the washing machine and tubs overflowing, and he called me back to address this as well as the sujbect of the rent. He was very nasty and was threatening to evict my roommates and I if I didn't "pay up." I need to know if the steps I took are legal as I was informed of by my acquaintance. I do not have the money for a lawyer.

The second part to this is that the basement was filling with sewage water a couple weeks ago. We let the landlord know immediately. 4 days later he sent a plumber. The plumber found seven tampons in the piping or what have you, and stated this was the reason for the problem. The lease states that tampons are not to be flushed, we are aware of it, not to mention the three of us all grew up in households where this was not a practice due to the problems that it can cause and was enforced by our dads. There are 2 girls that live upstairs in a seperate flat. The tenant that was living in the basement studio apartment adjascent to the laundry room told me that he moved out due to plumbing problems. when I ran into him one day, out and about. The landlord is trying to tell us that we have to pay for the repairs and damages, (all 5 people living in the house). Who is to say how the pipes got clogged? Can he really do this?

I feel like my roommates and I are being bullied. Help!


Your friend is wrong about withholding rent - you have to notify your landlord or the plan and in some States you can put the rent in an escrow account but you can't simply not pay. The landlord is right. He can evict you for non-payment as partial payments do not count. (She may be married to an Attorney but from what I know, she gave you bad advice, advice that could get you evicted.)

Any contact about problems should be in writing, return receipt requested. It's your word against his. My leases specifically say I have no problem with emails but also PUT IT IN WRITING.

The plumber has already said why the pipes were clogged. Now the question will be WHERE was the clog? Can the plumber say 100% which apartment caused the clog? Very possibly not. Past plumbing problems are irrelevant because there is a specific given cause for this particular problem.

I see a problem on both sides here - you haven't paid rent and the landlord is slow to make repairs. Both of you have a percentage of fault here. If the landlord takes you to Court he will have to present his proof that you caused plumbing bills and you will have to argue against his proof.

As far as the rent - at this point he could evict you.