After properly notifying your landlord, you may make the repairs yourself and deduct the cost from your rent.


If a landlord has not made repairs that are needed but the tenant can still live in the dwelling, the tenant must give written notice of the need for repairs and allow seven days for the repairs to take place. The written notice must also state the tenant's intention to withhold portions of the rent until the repairs are made. After seven days, if the repairs are not made, the tenant may deduct the daily rate of rent until the repairs are made. When it is time for the tenant to paythe next month's rent, the tenant will pay the monthly rental fee minus any deductions for days repairs were not made. Tenants cannot wait until rent is due and then try to withhold rent on the basis of the landlord's failure to make repairs.

http://www.coj.net/Departments/Envir...ant+rights.htm