I live in California and rent a house.A water line that runs to the city's main line needs to be replaced.My landlady is a when comes to stuff being fixed she likes to hire the cheapest person she can find which is fine as long as they do the job right. We are going day 2 of no water.I had to take my 4 kids ages 8,7,5,3, to my brothers to shower.I think this job is going to take a couple of more days. And my landlady has not said a word about putting us in a hotel or motel. What are my rights as a tenant? Rent is due tomorrow and I have no other money besides that. And have no one to stay with.

Don't start a fight just for the fun of it... the problem is major and is being fixed.

Pay your rent.

Okay understood genius! But we have no running water!! And no where else to go! Please do not comment unless you want to help! Anybody else who may know what tenants rights are concerning this matter?

Some repairs just take two or three days to get fixed, In major areas it is just not possible always to get a skilled and licensed plumber the same day. You can ask landlord to supply bottled water for drinking. And it appears you already have a relation to take showers at.

If the water main to my home broke tonight, I would be without water two or three days myself, that is just what happens sometimes.

Do you have a written lease? If so, read it thoroughly to see exactly what your and the landlord's obligations and rights are. If you have no written lease see the first post in this forum for a link to your state's landlord/tenant laws.

Like previous posters have said, a major plumbing repair like this is expected to take 2 - 3 days or possibly more. If you owned the home and the same thing broke you'd be in the same situation w/out water for days. It's not anything your landlady is doing/not doing that's affecting that time frame.

If she has a sketchy track record for repairs I'd do everything with her in writing. If you've already called her on the phone I'd still send a letter saying, "...I'm writing to confirm our phone conversation on Mon., Aug. 20, 2007 regarding the water line break. While repairmen have shown up to begin work, things seem to be progressing very slowly. As you know I have 3 young children and going w/out water for extended periods is difficult. I'd appreciate any assistance you could provide in keeping the workers on task. Blah, Blah, blah......." That way if things go badly you have the necessary documentation that YOU did things properly. (Obvioulsy keep a copy of the letter.)

I'd approach it from the position that you can catch more bees with honey than vinegar. If you're sweet and professional with her and humbly ask for whatever help she might be able to provide she may surprise you. If you go in attack mode she'll probably just get defensive and do nothing. Technically her only obligation is to have the reapair made unless your lease or state law say otherwise.

Hope that helps.
Karla in TX

Oh yeah, you need to pay your rent unless your lease and/or state law specifically state you can withhold it for something like this. Or you can make a proposal to the landlord. If she makes an agreement with you get it in writing.
Karla

Both Karla and Chuck have good points (Choux did too, but he could have expanded). I would definitely write the letter and include a suggestion to supply you with bottled water for the duration.