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My landlord refuses to do any repairs to the house I am renting from him until I pay him my opt fee for rent to own. The question I have is, why would he need my option fee to repair things when I am supposed to get that back at the end of my lease? It was my understanding that is not supposed to be used.

Submitted: 413 days and 13 hours ago.

Category: Legal

Value: $15

Status: CLOSED

Harrison, Tennessee

Already Tried:
I did not know where to start I am not familiar with the tenant laws for Tennessee.

Posted by Steinlaw 413 days and 13 hours ago.

Answer

If the repairs are minor, you can make the repairs and deduct it from the rent AFTER giving him written notice that this is your intent. If it is a major repair, you can withhold rent or file a complaint with the local building department that the property is uninhabitable.

Good luck.

413 days and 13 hours ago.

Reply

There are several repairs needed. When I moved in I had to clean the house. The sink leaks, the floor in the master bathroom is rotting, the gutters r rotting off, and the stove does not work properly. My husband contacted him and told him these things and he said until we pay the option fee for renting to own he refuses to do any repairs. Is that legal and can you point me in the direction of the proper person or persons I need to talk to?

Accepted Answer

Cleaning is not something you can be compensated for. However, the other repairs are serious repairs. Follow this:

1. Call your local building department. Ask them to inspect for habitability. If it is declared uninhabitable, you can move out.
2. Call a landlord tenant attorney near you. Have him write a letter to the landlord demanding repairs. If the repairs are not made, you can move out and sue the landlord for breach of contract due to the uninhability.

Good luck.

Accepts:
Expert:	Steinlaw
Pos. Feedback:	99.3 %
Answered:	10/5/2008

Attorney

8+ years as an insurance adjuster, 5+ years as a personal injury and consumer law attorney

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Harrison, Tennessee

Already Tried:
I did not know where to start I am not familiar with the tenant laws for Tennessee.

Answer

If the repairs are minor, you can make the repairs and deduct it from the rent AFTER giving him written notice that this is your intent. If it is a major repair, you can withhold rent or file a complaint with the local building department that the property is uninhabitable.

Good luck.

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Harrison, Tennessee Already Tried: I did not know where to start I am not familiar with the tenant laws for Tennessee.

Answer

If the repairs are minor, you can make the repairs and deduct it from the rent AFTER giving him written notice that this is your intent. If it is a major repair, you can withhold rent or file a complaint with the local building department that the property is uninhabitable.Good luck.

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Related Legal Questions

Harrison, Tennessee

Already Tried:
I did not know where to start I am not familiar with the tenant laws for Tennessee.

If the repairs are minor, you can make the repairs and deduct it from the rent AFTER giving him written notice that this is your intent. If it is a major repair, you can withhold rent or file a complaint with the local building department that the property is uninhabitable.

Good luck.