What is a tenant’s financial responsibility regarding repairs performed by their landlord?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What is a tenant’s financial responsibility regarding repairs performed by their landlord?
I recently had a sewer back-up in my home. I contacted the landlords to notify them of the problem. They came over and snaked my sewer, cleaned it out, and fixed the issue. There were women’s personal items (tampons) that were causing the blockage. A few days later, I received a bill from my landlord. I wasn’t given the option to find an affordable contractor before they did the work. So now I have a bill that isn’t mine because I never gave an OKfor the landlord to do the work, and I was never given the chance to find a cheaper alternative.
Asked on December 30, 2010 under Real Estate Law, Montana
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
The landlord has no obligation to wait for a tenant's permission to make needed repairs and also has no obligation to let the tenant look for contractors. IF the problem or damage was caused by the tenant or the tenant's family members or guests--such as by flushing items that should not be flushed, but rather thrown away--then the landlord may charge the tenant for the repair. (If not the tenant's fault, it's on the landlord's dime.) The landlord cannot charge the tenant an unreasonable amount--e.g. $2,000 for what's normally a $300 - $500 repair, or for parts and labor not actually used or done--but the landlord does not have to look for or charge the lowest cost--it's enough that it's a reasonable price.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.