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Step 1
Find out your state's tenant rights regulations. They will tell you what is legal and what is not legal when it comes to tenants taking matters into their own hands. Generally however, the following steps are legal to take.
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Step 2
Give your landlord written notice of repairs. When paying the rent, you need to give the landlord a list of existing problems with the apartment. If these problems are not addressed during the first month, send them the list again the next month. There are two reasons you should do this. The first is to prove that you address issues with the home in writing. The second is so that the landlord cannot hold you responsible for the damages later on.
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Step 3
Photocopy the letter with your rent check. Before you send the rent check and list to your landlord, make a photocopy of the check and list together on one sheet of paper. Attach the rent check to the paper in a way that the list is visible before you copy it. Keep this copy in your files. This means a cashed check will double as proof of receipt of the letter.
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Step 4
Call the health department if the problems are anything that can cause a health issue like leaks, pests, or lead paint to expedite repairs. Do not call the health department for cosmetic repairs.
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Step 5
Give them time to respond. Thirty days is reasonable in most cases. Severe plumbing problems should be repaired immediately. You should give them 60 days for minor cosmetic repairs.
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Step 6
Do repairs yourself and deduct it from the rent if management has not addressed the problem. Once again, you must first check the landlord-tenant laws in your state. In many cases, a good landlord will give you permission to do this within a certain budget.
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Step 7
Pay the rent to a third party who will advocate for you. If all other efforts to get your landlord to address serious repairs remains fruitless, you will want to pay the rent to the court or a third party who can mediate on your behalf. Be sure to do this according to the laws in your state.
