Can I not pay rent if a landlord is not repairing something?

I have been in this duplex for almost 4 years, and always been on time with my rent payment. My garage door opener recently stop working. I have contacted them 4 times in 8 days. I have no direct contact with repairmen... only an answering service that "relays" the message to the repairmen. They can do nothing more than to keep sending the messages to the repairmen. When I ask for the repairmen phone number, they say they can only transfer me to their voice mail. So I left a voice mail, but have no response. It seems they are deliberately ignoring me. Do I have the right to withhold my rent payment until they repair the garage door opener?

Wayne S2010-06-29T11:29:54Z

Favorite Answer

No you don't. You need to put your request in writing and keep a copy. If you mail it send it certified and if you give it to them in person take your copy with you so you can note the date and time on it and have the person initial it. If they fail to respond they are considered in breach of the lease agreement. Unfortunately, this gives you the right to cancel the lease, not necessarily to have the garage door fixed yourself and get reimbursed by the landlord, unless of course you get written authorization to do so.

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LILL2010-06-29T22:30:30Z

LOL...of course not. The garage door opener issue does NOT effect the habitability of the home. Withholding rent for such will only get you evicted very quickly.

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KMcG2010-06-29T18:19:53Z

I don't know where you live, but most places no you can not with hold rent because of a garage door opener. Just keep calling, try asking to speak to the property manager.

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RichB2010-06-29T18:27:19Z

No, you do not have the right to do that. You need to take legal action against the landlord/leasing company while still continuing to pay rent in full and on time.

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Froufrou2010-06-29T18:32:58Z

You probably just need new batteries in the remote. Check your lease to see what it covers, but normally only health and security issues warrant withholding rent.

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