Thanks for the prompt reply!
There is no separate unit. The property is a single-family row home. The basement does not have a separate meter. For the first couple of months, my biggest complaints were the roaches, mice, and how her cigarette smoking filters throughout the whole house. The roaches and mice she said was my problem, because we live in the city limits, and she doesn't see any in the basement.
I am unable to do laundry simply because it inconvenience's her boyfriend. Again, he arrived from Italy in March. By June, we were well in to this conflict. The laundry mess became an issue after her boyfriend complained to her that he was too hot in the basement - because I had been using the dryer for the last couple of hours. Her resolution? She told me to stop using the dryer all together, and only come down to wash Monday-Thursday before she gets home from work. This was disagreeable, but feasible to workout. However, since this agreement, there has been several days where I have dragged down to the basement a heavy load of laundry, only to have him laying there half-naked - either asleep or watching television. Nowadays, we just go to the laundromat to avoid further problems.
A couple of questions I do have are:
How do I know if this home is eligible as a rental? After all, I had to download a random generic lease off the internet for this property.
Can I have this boyfriend arrested for trespassing, should he continue to be a threatening presence? The lease does not say anything about the landlord or her boyfriend living in the basement at all.
Can I sue for the unforgiving living conditions? I have two small children, one being a two month old, and we have tolerated the pests/rodents, but the daily second hand smoke & no heating system?!?

