Ask Me Help Desk - Landlord not making repairs

Quote:

Originally Posted by celinda

I have been renting a Townhome for 3 years, April 25th my Air conditioner went out.I contacted my out of state landlord by emil, she did not respond for 2 weeks then stated I was not to deduct repairs from my rent that I should go ahead and pay Mays rent and she would then be able to pay for repairs. It has been very warm here and the house has been getting up around 89 in the afternoons. i have a small child that has asthma and she has had problems due to the heat and humidity not to mention the windows being open with allergens. I also injured myself by standing on a step stool to reach a high ceiling fan and fell pulling ligaments in my foot. I have not paid my rent as of yet because no air, do I have the right not to pay until the air is fixed? If it is fixed do I need to pay the whole month or only the time it was repaired?

Thank you,
Celinda

When you post the same question twice, 3 hours apart, it looks like you don't like the first set of answers so you tried again.

These threads should be combined.

My answer still is:

Send a registered letter stating that the air conditioner is a necessity and giving a time frame following receipt in which it must be repaired and after that date you are having it repaired and subtracting it from your rent. I'd say 48 hours. You MUST have proof the landlord was notified and while e-mails back and forth are admissible I think I'd make things as "legal" as possible.

You can always go to Small Claims Court and sue her for a portion of your rent - take your daughter's Doctor's statements that she NEEDS air condition - but then I would expect your lease not to be renewed. I'm not saying it's fair but, unfortunately, that's how these things usually work.

If you simply don't pay rent you can evicted on those grounds.

(Is it a possibility the landlord has made arrangements but the repair person hasn't been able to get there yet?)