What will happen if I currently rent one side of a duplex and a few days ago I got served papers addressed to the landlord about some serious code violations?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What will happen if I currently rent one side of a duplex and a few days ago I got served papers addressed to the landlord about some serious code violations?
I currently rent one side of a duplex. A few days ago I got served papers addressed to my property owners about some serious code enforcement violations including the foundation of the home, standing water, a leaky roof, etc . The property was on the market for the past few months but was taken off a week or 2 prior to the papers showing up. I’ve taken all necessary steps as far as notification but I’m worried about the house being condemned, as the owners have repeatedly shown no interest in repairing even the smallest of damages. I’ll be attending the hearing come the end of the month. If the owner decides not to fix the property, what will happen, and what can I do in the aftermath?
Asked on September 6, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Indiana
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If the owner does not fix the property as stated in the code violation matter that you have written where there is a hearing coming up about the matter, most likely the unit will be red tagged. If it is red tagged, you will be unable to reside in it. If you are unable to reside in it, the landlord has materially breached your lease. If that happens you are not obligated to pay on the lease's balance and will be required to look for a new place to live.
If the new place to live costs more monthly than what you are paying, then the landlord will be required to pay you under the law the monthly difference for the balance of time under your lease.
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.