What Is a Landlord Responsible for Repairing

If you rent or lease your home or apartment, you have certain rights that protect you from unsafe, unlawful, or uninhabitable conditions. By law, you can require that your landlord's repairs responsibilities be fulfilled. If repairs are not forthcoming after making a request from your landlord, DoNotPay can help you prepare and send your landlord a repair notice, demanding that the repairs be done.

Even if your lease does not spell out the repair responsibilities, your landlord must keep your unit in good repair and provide a safe, habitable place to live. For example, your home must have hot and cold running water, a roof that doesn't leak, and be structurally sound.  If your landlord has not provided these basic repairs, there are several options that you have, but notification in writing is the first and best place to start.

What Are My Tenant Rights?

Tenant rights vary by state, but all states maintain that a landlord is responsible for providing safe, habitable places for their tenants to live. Your landlord, regardless of where you live, will be responsible for compliance to any building codes and providing the necessities such as hot and cold water and a safe place to live. The landlord can be held responsible for most major repairs, and some minor ones as well. This is not to say that if you broke a door, or have a pest infestation because of unclean living conditions, your landlord will be responsible. If you are found responsible for the need for repair, you may need to get it repaired at your own costs. Check local and state code and tenant laws to make sure.

As a tenant, you have the right to file a complaint, repair the problem at your own expense, withhold rent, or move out. Be careful before taking any of these steps. Your landlord can report you to the credit bureau for breaking your lease or withholding your rent.

How Do I Ask My Landlord for Repairs?

Before asking for repairs, be sure that the following conditions exist:

• It is not your fault. If the repair needed is as the result of your actions, your landlord may not be responsible.
• You are not behind in rent. If you are behind in making your rent payments, be sure that you are current before making demands for repairs.
• You have stayed within state and local laws in requesting repairs. If unsure, call city or state building inspectors or health inspectors, depending on what you are asking to be repaired.

Prepare a Maintenance Request Letter

To prepare a maintenance request letter, be sure to be firm and professional.

• Use as much detail to describe the problem, such as when it occurred and how severe the problem is.
• Describe exactly what is happening. That way, you may cut down on the number of trips that a repairman will need to make.
• If the need is urgent or threatens the safety of the occupants, request immediate action.
• Submit your request. Check your lease for who to contact for maintenance and repairs.
• Repair requests can usually be done online or through the mail. For large complexes, they may offer online forms through a portal to request maintenance. If submitting a request online, make sure to save any automated responses and copies of everything you submit.
• If an unsafe condition requires a repair, call your point of contact for immediate solutions.  Follow up your phone call with a written request to document.

What If I Can’t Prepare a Demand for Repairs Letter on My Own?

That's where DoNotPay comes in!  DoNotPay has a Landlord Protection product that can help you create and submit a Demand for Repairs letter easily and quickly. In addition to this service, you can also learn:

1. How to get your security deposit back and how long it takes
2. How to kick out a roommate
3. What to do when facing eviction, even without notice
4. What to do if you need to sue to get your deposit back

Create and Send a Repair Notice through DoNotPay

If you want to create and send a repair notice,  but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered in 4 easy steps:

1. Search for and open the Landlord Protection product on DoNotPay.

    

2. Select which issue applies to you.

    

3. Answer a simple set of questions so our chatbot can collect the necessary information to create your demand letter.

    

4. Choose whether you want DoNotPay to send the demand letter to your landlord or roommate on your behalf. If you already tried sending a demand letter and it didn't work, we can help you start the small claims court process.

    

And that's it! You should hear back from your landlord directly once your demands are sent.

Why Use DoNotPay to Ensure the Place You’re Renting Is Safe and Habitable

DoNotPay is:

• Fast - You don't have to spend hours trying to demand your rights from your landlord.
• Easy - You don't have to struggle to fill out tedious forms or keep track of all the steps involved in solving your problem.
• Successful - You can rest assured knowing we'll make the best case for you.

What Else Can DoNotPay Do?

DoNotPay can help solve many of the problems you encounter day-to-day. In addition to helping with Landlord Protection, DoNotPay can:

How can DoNotPay help you today?