Can my landlord still charge me rent?
NO ONE showed up to fix this issue, (despite many promises, phones calls and disappointments) until the 4th of July. Apporximately 34 days after I moved in. The guy had no equipment and showed up around 3 PM.
After a series of more calls, I was informed by the landlord that I would have to move, then the landlord brought a lease to cover my last 30days. This lease requires me to continue paying rent, even though it is noted and admitted that the house is unlivable.
After this, the landlord called again - this time to terminate the 2nd lease, because we (my family and I) were getting sick.
Someone please answer seriously - I need some advice! THANKS!
Answer:
This is a stretch for me, but, if all of these things you say are true. Don't pay any rent.
If the landlord pursues you, it would only be in small claims court. In that case, you can file a counter suit. Then you'll duke it out in front of judge Judy. Generally, the tenant would have an advantage in this situation. Have as much documentation as possible if it comes to this.
I would consult a lawyer. The landlord knew of the mold before you moved in.
Fix his * and call the health dept.you wont be paying anything
Rent is a seperate issue. Yes you still have to pay rent. But you can contact housing athority about living conditions. Legal Aid and sue.Also contact tenant/ Landlord association
No, the lease was terminated because the house is not fit for human habitation. You may need an inspection from the health dept. if he tries to sue for the rent.
You need to get a lawyer and check about putting the "rent money" into an "escrow account" . He/ she can advise you on the laws in your state concerning that, and other re-courses you might have depending on the state you live in(it's different in every state)
Take pictures of all the damage, medical bills, and the letter of admission, when he takes you to court, you take your proof of why you didn't pay! Pictures are worth a million bucks, oh, plus contact an attorney to counter sue, for the doctor bills.
Contact a lawyer. There are lawyers that handle black mold cases, and yours sounds like an open and shut case.
No way do you owe your landlord another dime. In fact, it sounds like he owes you something! I won't get into what he might owe you becuase it depends on which state you live in, but in any case, you have a counter case against your landlord.
Last peice of advice. A good lawyer won't charge you anything unless you win this case (where he/she will get a percentage of the settlement).
Good luck!
Wow, that's truly appauling.. if you're family is getting sick from this and you have documents from a doctor that the illness is from the mold you can sue him. ALOT. In fact you can probably sue him for making you live in unlivable conditions although if it was like that when you moved in and you simply didnt notice but signed the lease anyway you might not win that one. But if I where you I'd just go to a consult with a lawyer, most consult's are free just make sure you get a good lawyer. And it'll seem like a hassle but it will be worth it.
Your primary concern should be getting out of that house ASAP. Black mold is toxic.
I would take this whole issue up with a lawyer. You should not have to move two times at your own expense because the landlord either failed to cure or has an incurable situation with the mold.
I would not pay rent if I were you.
I wouldn't pay him a nickel - BUT put the rent money in a separate account, in case a court rules that you must pay him. I'd also take him to small claims court and sue for the rent you paid him after you reported the mold condition and for any medical bills you had to pay. Keep all documentation and record all conversations you have with him or anyone else in this matter. You might need a lawyer who specializes in real estate to advise you in this matter and protect your rights.
call the health dept. go to. go to renters court. get a laywer that do fo a for % of the settlement . for a greedy layweer! keep all medical bills ,treatment any documentation you have!
You don't have to pay if the landlord is not providing a 'livable' home.
But that doesn't mean you wont have to go to court to get him to pay it..did you take pictures? That would help your case. Document all the days everything happened so when you file, you'll have details.
If i were you, I'd get a lawyer, quick!
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