When (and How) to Report a Bad Landlord

Sometimes, dealing with a Farmington property manager isn’t easy. A tenant can be irritated by a variety of factors, such as inconvenient repairs, raising rent, and more. Some hiccups are reasonable. However, you might be wondering what you can do if little problems start to become outright injustices that violate your rights. On the rare occasion that a landlord breaks the law, you should know what steps to take to protect yourself. One last resort would be to report them to the health department or housing authority. This blog post will list examples of when reporting your landlord is necessary and how to do so.

Landlord Responsibilities

All landlords are responsible for providing their tenants with safe and habitable housing. This signifies that the property must be free of health or safety hazards and be up to code. If your landlord does not adhere to these standards, you may have grounds to file a complaint.

There are two types of complaints that you can file against your landlord:

• A health and safety complaint is filed when the property is not up to code or if health hazards are occurring. Examples of health and safety violations include lead paint, mold, asbestos, lack of heat, and lack of hot water.
• A housing quality complaint is filed when the property is not well maintained. This can include leaky ceilings, broken elevators, and rodent infestations.

If you are unconfident whether your landlord is violating the law, you can always refer to your local Landlord/Tenant Laws, health department, or housing authority to ask. They will be able to inform you what the regulations are in your area and if your landlord is following them.

Reasons to Report Your Landlord

There are a variety of situations why you might want to consider reporting your landlord. Maybe you’ve been asking them to make repairs for months, but they haven’t been done. Or possibly you’re concerned about a health hazard on the property. Whatever the reason, understand that there are government departments that are ready to help you.

Some of the most frequent reasons to report your landlord are:

• Dangerous or unhealthy conditions on the property
• Lack of repairs or maintenance
• Landlord harassment
• Illegal eviction attempts
• Failure to provide required services, including heat or hot water

These are just a few examples. You can call your local health department or housing authority to find out if you have a valid reason to file a complaint.

How to Report Your Landlord

If you choose to file a complaint against your landlord, there are a few things you’ll need to do. First, you’ll need to acquire evidence of the violation. Include photos, witness statements, and any other documentation you have gathered. The next action is to file a complaint with your local health department or housing authority. They will investigate your claim and take action if appropriate.

You can also file a civil lawsuit against your landlord. Even though this is unusual, it may be essential if you are unable to get assistance from the health department or housing authority.

Reporting your landlord can be a challenging task, but it’s vital to keep in mind that you have rights as a tenant. If your landlord is not giving you a safe and habitable home, you have the right to speak up. With the help of your local health department or housing authority, you can guarantee that your landlord is held accountable for their actions.

One of the best ways to avoid a bad landlord is to rent from a reputable property management company. At Real Property Management First Choice, we pride ourselves on our excellent customer service and commitment to maintaining safe and comfortable Farmington homes for our tenants. Browse our listings to learn more about our available rentals. We would be happy to help you find a safe and affordable place to call home.