anything i can do will calling a lawyer help?

[mlee19841]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? PA

my name is mike i have been living in a property that i rent for a long time. i didn't sign a lease agreement with the landlord. now there is a couple holes in the roof it self. you can see water leaking in through the bedroom ceiling, and the bathroom ceiling . also there are 2 huge holes in the living room ceiling, due to the pipes leaking. since the bathroom is right on top of the living room. the landlord knows about the problems it has been about 3 months. he does not want to due anything about it, he has not called or made a attempt to call me. when i do call its always a voice mail. now is it worth getting a lawyer involved.

 

[FarmerJ]

Since your month to month it would be simpler to vote with your feet by sending to the LL proper written notice saying that your moving out by certified mail , in the letter feel free to state that your not willing to wait any longer for the roof to be repaired its been ( x amount of time ) since I first informed you of the leaking. take plenty of pictures of the condition of the unit before you move out so you can have a record of its condition and have the film shop date them with the date they developed them. See as a month to month renter even if you called inspections LL could in the end still refuse to comply with any orders they write and you would have to move in the end perhaps on a shorter notice ( condemnation) than you would like. Even if you were able to force the LL to do the repairs the LL might give you proper notice to get out since it will be easier ( possibily cheaper too) to have inside wall and ceiling damage repaired while unit is empty ( LL & contractor can make as big of a mess they have to and wont have to listen to a tenant complain about the mess or daily cleaning either especially in the end when it comes to sanding out drywall mud joints , damn dust will be EVERYWHERE ) So pick and choose your battles, it may well be a much better choice to plan on moving , proper notice, gather proof of units condition in case of dispute re damages and damage deposit.

 

[mlee19841]

that's what i was thinking since i didn't sign a lease he really doesn't have any obligation to fix anything. now that i think about it, thats probably the reason he didn't have me sign one in the first place.

 

[FarmerJ]

Even with out a written fixed term lease LLs are still obligated to maintain structural and mechanical systems of rented homes including addressing safety issues . BUT with out a written fixed term lease unless a state law defines retaliatory eviction a LL who owns property that needs work can simply give tenant proper notice for month to month rental and tell the tenant to move out. So again its easier on tenants end in your spot to just gather proofs of the units problems for your records, get the repair complaint in writting, in case LL decides to claim tenant never notified about the needed repair or you have a dispute getting deposit back or a dispute as to how much damage is tenant caused and how much is normal wear /tear and to be the one to give notice to vacate.