At times, working with a Bowling Green property manager is difficult. Inconvenient repairs, raising rent, and more can irritate a tenant. Some hiccups are inevitable. However, when minor issues begin to transform into outright injustices that violate your rights, you might be wondering what you can do. If your landlord breaks the law, which is not uncommon, you need to know what steps to take to protect yourself. If you feel that you’re down to the last resort, one choice is to report them to the health department or housing authority. This blog post will list examples of when reporting your landlord is required and how to do so.
Landlord Responsibilities
All landlords are responsible for providing their tenants with safe and habitable housing. This implies that the property should be clear from health or safety hazards and be up to code. If your landlord fails to comply with 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 there are health hazards existing. Samples of health and safety violations incorporate lead paint, mold, asbestos, lack of heat, and lack of hot water.
- A housing quality complaint is filed when the property is not maintained as it should be. This can include leaky ceilings, broken elevators, and rodent infestations.
If you are uncertain 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 want to tell you what the regulations are in your area and if your landlord is following them.
Reasons to Report Your Landlord
There are numerous explanations why you should consider reporting your landlord. Maybe you’ve been arguing with them to make repairs for months, and they still haven’t accomplished anything. Or perhaps you’re frightened about a health hazard on the property. Whatever the reason, remember that there are government departments that are willing to aid you.
Some typical reasons to report your landlord are:
- Unsafe or unhealthy conditions on the property
- Lack of repairs or maintenance
- Landlord harassment
- Illegal eviction attempts
- Failure to provide required services, like heat or hot water
These are just some examples. If you’re not confident whether you have a valid reason to file a complaint, you can call your local health department or housing authority to figure it out.
How to Report Your Landlord
If you are eager to file a complaint against your landlord, there are a couple of things you’ll need to do. First, you’ll need to compile evidence of the violation. Photos, witness statements, and any other documentation can be used. Following that, you must file a complaint with your local health department or housing authority. They will investigate your claim and take action if necessary.
You can also file a civil lawsuit against your landlord. This is not usual, but it may be important if the health department or housing authority is unable to assist.
Reporting your landlord can be difficult, but it’s imperative to keep in mind that you have rights as a tenant. If your landlord does not give 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 ideal options to avoid a bad landlord is to rent from a reputable property management company. At Real Property Management Clarity Team, we pride ourselves on our exceptional customer service and devotion to maintaining safe and comfortable Bowling Green homes for our tenants. Browse our listings to learn more about our available rentals. We would be happy to help you discover a safe and affordable place to call home.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
