[FH Dad]

Can a landlord require tenants to pay for repairs required to a rented home? The landlord promises to repay tenant, but tenant would rather not be a credit facility for the landlord. A few specifics:

• I'm the tenant and rent a detached house in New York City
• The landlord lives in France
• Repairs were required to plumbing in the basement. Cause was old, corroded pipes.
• Lease is fixed term (not month-to-month)
• Cost of repairs is about $900
• Landlord refuses to find plumber or deal with managing repairs

In summary, I'm annoyed that I have to deal with getting the repairs done, paying for them out of my pocket and waiting for the landlord's reimbursement. Can I charge the landlord interest for this loan? Can I take it out of the rent?

Appreciate your help and recommendations!

[GlindaofOz]

Typically it is the landlords responsibility to pay for any costs of repairs. Landlords cannot ask you to pay for repairs.

I've had repairs done to the house when the landlord refused to make said repairs and I told her I would independently hire someone and since she refused the cost would come out of the rent. I would then send her a certified letter stating same and asking her to sign a copy and return it to me so I would have on record that she agreed to the amount being deducted from the rent.

[ScottGem]

I would be a little more understanding of an absentee landlord. Do what Glinda said. Get an estimate for the job, Fax or e-mail the estimate to the landlord adding on a small fee (no more than 10%) for your work in contracting for the job. Include in the package a statement for the landlord to sign agreeing that the amount of the invoice, including your fee, can be deducted from the rental.