Full question:
My rented apartment was renovated 6 years before I moved in and the landlord has not taken any measures to revamp the house after I moved in. It has been two years now and the paint in the living area and kitchen is all worn out and looks very unpleasant. I usually have a lot of guests over and it is embarrassing for me to have such walls staring at them. I had requested my landlord to do up the walls, but it has been over a month since I made the request and nothing has changed. Is there any way to force my landlord to undertake this minor maintenance work?
- Category: Landlord Tenant
- Subcategory: Repairs
- Date:
- State: National
Answer:
Your landlord is responsible for maintaining the rental property in a livable condition, which includes major repairs. However, cosmetic issues like worn-out paint are typically considered minor repairs and may not be legally required to be addressed by the landlord.
Whether your landlord is obligated to make these repairs depends on several factors, including the terms of your lease, any promises made by the landlord, and local building codes or landlord-tenant laws. Generally, minor repairs can be more challenging to enforce than major ones.
You can start by sending a written request to your landlord, outlining the issues you face due to the condition of the walls. Explain why it benefits the landlord to address this issue, such as the potential for higher costs if repairs are delayed. If your landlord does not respond, consider mediation services, which can help both parties reach an agreement. Some local communities offer free or low-cost mediation.
If the problem violates local rules, you may report your landlord to your local housing agency or pursue legal action in small claims court. You would need to demonstrate that the unaddressed issues reduce the value of your unit (a judge may award you the difference between your rent and the unit's actual worth). However, pursuing these options may strain your relationship with your landlord, so consider them carefully.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.