What makes a house suitable to live in?

be structurally stable. be free from serious disrepair. be free from dampness that could damage the occupant’s health. have adequate provision for lighting, heating and ventilation.

What kind of noise can I complain about in my apartment?

Common noise complaints can come from music, the television, a barking dog and of course, that wild party that just won’t quit. Oftentimes, tenants aren’t aware they’re being too noisy, so it’s a good idea to alert them to the issue before you write a formal complaint.

What to do if the city won’t fix your apartment?

If, however, you have repeatedly asked them to fix the problems in your apartment to no avail and submitted a request to them in writing, it’s time to contact the city. Start by gathering as much information as you can on the types of violations you see occurring and the frequency at which they occur.

What should I do if I sign a lease without seeing the apartment?

If you feel that you were forced to sign the lease under duress or that the terms were otherwise unreasonable or unfair, it is best to talk to a lawyer. If you signed a lease and want to terminate the lease before moving in, you can inform the landlord of your intent to break the lease agreement.

How to know if your apartment is safe for renters?

Check all entrances for secure locks and additional safety measures like peepholes, chain locks, key codes, cameras, and remote unlocking. Ask management how often keys and key codes are changed. You don’t want to run the risk of a past tenant having access to your apartment. 5. Check the Windows

What to do if something is not right in your apartment?

If something is not right in your apartment, take steps to resolve it with your landlord. Your landlord has a lot of influence in getting tenants to conform to the lease agreement and to the apartment complex rules and regulations.

Can a minor repair make an apartment uninhabitable?

A minor repair can be annoying, limiting, or distasteful (and it can even be expensive to remedy)—but it doesn’t seriously endanger the health or safety of a reasonable tenant or make a rental uninhabitable. Example: The heater in a tenant’s apartment clanks loudly every time it turns on—so much so that it wakes the tenant up.

What happens if your landlord doesn’t answer your phone?

The radiator stopped working in your apartment, and your landlord hasn’t responded to emails or answered the phone for two days. As much as you love your new winter coat, wearing it while you watch TV – and while you sleep – isn’t your idea of fun.

How can I get my Landlord to fix bad conditions?

One way to get your landlord to fix bad conditions is to withhold all or some of your rent until the landlord actually makes the repairs. This is called “rent withholding.”44. Tenants have a right to withhold rent because landlords are obligated to provide safe and habitable housing under the warranty of habitability.