do I have probable causation to sue my landlord?

Question

Alright, so here's what happened:

in 2012 I took money out of the rent because my landlord refused to pay for pest extermination (bed bugs), but from what I've read, it's is legal obligation.
When I first moved into my unit I was promised a new refrigerator (because it was unthawing and rethawing food )on many occasions, but after a year and a half and after many cases of food poisoning I took money out of the rent in 2013 to buy, pick up, and install the new refrigerator.
I was also promised new windows because they are super old (like 1950's old), and they only have one layer and by law they need to have two layers. to give you an idea of how bad they are, one day my 4 year old son pushed on the window and the window completely feel out of the house. and another he had his hand on the window and the glass came out of the window pane. 
My power was also shut off twice even though my rent was payed... again, illegal.
and I received an illegal eviction notice saying I belong in public housing and that I'm a drug dealer (even though my upstairs neighbors marijuana fumes are constantly seeping into my unit). 
also, in 2012 there was a flood in my basement from the sewage pipeline, which damaged some of my property and as YET to be cleaned up or sanitized...
Can I do anything about this? I really need help with this, it's urgent. I'm trying to move and he's trying to gyp me out of my last months rent.

TrekkerScout · Accepted Answer

Tenant rights laws vary by location.  Many jurisdictions require that a written request for corrections be submitted to the landlord before withholding of rent can occur.  Without knowing what the laws are in your particular area, no definitive answer can be given.

parsnipianna · Answer

There are specific steps you are required to take before you can legally withhold the rent. (Which you probably would have been entitled to do.)   If you didn't pay the back rent you withheld (illegally, sorry to say) you can't get any money back from your landlord.  But the refrigerator is yours, maybe you can sell it to make up for the rent you aren't getting back.

hotwheels122287 · Answer

first: what does your contract say about bugs?

second: were these promises in writing?

third: your very first sentence makes what you did wrong.  you have no legal right to withhold rent for any reason.

fourth: if you are breaking the lease and you signed a contract stating that when you leave you owe the last months rent then that is what you owe.  you also owe any other rent you refused to give.  so.... your landlord is in the right actually

? · Answer

You can't just stop paying your rent, even in cases where the landlord isn't living up to the lease or is doing the things you mentioned.  You would have to go to court, probably get an escrow account set up and the whole nine yards.

SammyZoom · Answer

If you are in the state of New Jersey, you are out of luck.
The state legal ethics committee says it's "not unethical" to try to evict you,
even if you are paying the rent on time and never missed a payment.

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do I have probable causation to sue my landlord?

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