• FreeAdvice has a new Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, effective May 25, 2018.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our Terms of Service and use of cookies.

HELP--Rental increase but repairs are needed

Accident - Bankruptcy - Criminal Law / DUI - Business - Consumer - Employment - Family - Immigration - Real Estate - Tax - Traffic - Wills   Please click a topic or scroll down for more.

J

joycie

Guest
I live in Los Angeles and effective June 1, 2000, the new owner has imposed a more than 20% increase in the rent. The problem is we have repairs that need to be done. Upon receiving the increase notice, my roommate and I drafted a letter informing the new owner of these repairs (specifically, our ceiling leaks and water and other sewage has on more than one occasion overflowed into our kitchen sink. The former manager said that this was due to the way the plumbing connects our apt to the one above ours) but thus far we have not received a response. (Note: While the former owner never fixed the problem--she instead only authorized shampoo cleanings and did not increase our rent to the level others in the building are paying--she atleast was aware of the need for these repairs. The new owner is the former owner's son.

My question is, since we have not heard from the current owner and June 1st is almost here, legally do we have the right to withhold the amount of the rental increase and just pay the existing amount of the rent until the repairs are made? Or do we face the possibly of eviction and would the court uphold an eviction?

[This message has been edited by joycie (edited May 13, 2000).]
 



Find the Right Lawyer for Your Legal Issue!

Fast, Free, and Confidential
data-ad-format="auto">
Top