Results 1 to 2 of 2
  1. #1

    Default Breaking the Lease Due to Lack of Repairs

    My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Oklahoma
    We have lived in our rental house since November and at the time we moved in our landlord was supposed to already have the holes in the wall (from previous tenant) and the huge crack in the window in the master bedroom fixed before we moved in but he did not. He assured us he would have his guy out soon to get it fixed. We discussed this matter with him at the time, and when December rolled around and we got our washer and dryer we found that the cold water faucet sprayed water everywhere and it is a carpeted laundry room so there are obvious issues there. We also told him about this in December, he told us he would have his guy come out to look at that as well as repair the window. We also found that another window was broken and informed him of this and that there was no way we could have broke it, he just brushed it off by asking if it was as bad as the one in the bedroom or if it was no big deal. We found wasps which he actually called an exterminator on because I am potentially deadly allergic (my mom is, and so is her mom). That is the only problem he has fixed though. We have since found bed which we attempted to treat ourselves but it is not working. We know we did not bring the bed bugs into the residence as we have furniture that we have had throughout our childhood, nothing used (other than by us) nothing even new! Then I got shocked by an electrical outlet when plugging my phone charger in which also flipped a breaker! Due to this, my husband made sure the breaker was off and removed the outlet cover, he said it is extremely dirty in the outlet and there is paint all over inside of it from where our landlord painted the room. I have also noticed that the outlets are loose, when you plug something in to some of them it literally falls out! Or will only fall part of the way out, so that the prongs are still touching just barely inside which seems like a real fire hazard. Anyway, we've decided we aren't doing this anymore, our landlord won't fix anything and this house is not safe. We also have a 5 month old in the house now who was born shortly after we moved in. I'm afraid to even let her down on the floor because we can't put protective covers in the outlets!
    So how do we go about breaking this lease? We are renting from an individual, will breaking the lease affect our credit? We have already been approved for an apartment. How much notice are we required to give? WE are planning on talking to the landlord in a few days when our rent is due, if we pay the full month but only stay half will he be required to return the left over rent?
    Also the landlord has told us that his repair guy will only work long enough to get enough money to make it, and then will work again when he goes broke. Landlord also owns the house next door and has admitted to us the floor is torn out of their bathroom waiting on repairs. He told us this a month ago and I believe it is still so because there is a toilet sitting in the front yard!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Posts
    1,026

    Default Re: Breaking the Lease Due to Lack of Repairs

    Likely what you are looking for is in the attached:

    http://www.okbar.org/public/brochure...m#.T7mPmHlYvSA

    In terms of breaking a lease over repair issues that have not been addressed it is important that you keep several things in mind:

    1. Address repair issues in WRITING, keeping a copy for yourself so you have evidence that you have attempted to notify the landlord of such and given him adequate time to address these. "Telling" him about repair issues doesn't leave a trail of documentation should he claim he was never notified of these.

    2. Typically the repair issues needed should be signficant enough to be a safety or health hazard for the tenant. For example, concerns over the electrical issue should be.

    3. If the landlord refuses to let you out of your lease, you can always contact you local Code Enforcement with your concerns over the safety hazards in the house.

    Gail

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Similar Threads

  1. Breaking a Lease: Breaking Lease Due to Shoddy Repairs, Missing Mail and Safety Concerns
    By JustWed in forum Landlord-Tenant Law
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 09-17-2012, 12:55 PM
  2. Breaking a Lease: Lease Agreement Signed with Previous Management, Breaking Lease Consequences
    By briadams in forum Landlord-Tenant Law
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 04-23-2012, 11:10 AM
  3. Repair and Maintenance: Breaking a Lease Due to Lack of Service
    By tyreek99 in forum Landlord-Tenant Law
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 11-12-2009, 07:32 AM
  4. Breaking a Lease: Breaking Lease Because Lack of Funds
    By kcmck in forum Landlord-Tenant Law
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 10-26-2008, 10:03 PM
  5. Roommates: Breaking A Lease Due To Repairs Not Made
    By untchable in forum Landlord-Tenant Law
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 02-19-2008, 09:00 PM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources