Hi,

I'm curious if anybody knows what the law in Alabama is or if you can direct me to the right people to call to find out what the rule is about repairs and the increased bills due to it.

Example; We had a water leak that we noticed a couple months ago. We attempted to contact our landlord for over a week and when we finally got an answer there was many failed attempts before we actually got it repaired. Due to this and it being a "hot water" leak both our water bill and electricity bills increased and I had no choice but to pay this in order to keep everything on for my three little children.

Now this month, without even warning, I receive a $165 Water bill!! I only am budgeted to spend the typical $38, and my husband is out of country on deployment.. The water authority was rude to me and I have no idea what I'm supposed to do. This place is draining us though with the consequences of repairs! We haven't even recovered from the other unexpected money yet. Doesn't the landlord have to take some responsibility in this?

If you can prove that your increased utility bills were due to the landlord's failure to make timely repairs, you can withhold that amount from your rental. However, you should place the amount in a separate account pending your landlord's acceptance of this arrangement.

Then send him the rent check, minus the extra, with a letter stating that; by accepting the check, he is agreeing to to the one time deduction of the increased expenses.

If you can prove that your increased utility bills were due to the landlord's failure to make timely repairs, you can withhold that amount from your rental. However, you should place the amount in a separate account pending your landlord's acceptance of this arrangement.

Then send him the rent check, minus the extra, with a letter stating that; by accepting the check, he is agreeing to to the one time deduction of the increased expenses.

What about in the last circumstance where I wasn't aware? It just seems to be yet another leak? Who is responsible?

The landlord is responsible for making timely repairs. If you can shw there is a cause and effect between the increased bill and the breakdown, you should be able to recover those costs.