I need a bit of help.

**Howell** · 11-17-2009, 06:11 PM

This may come off as the exact opposite of what you're used to seeing here, but the discussion seems civilized, so I thought I'd go for it.

I've been living in my current residence for a bit under a year. On my lease, it says we are to have heat that is paid for by the building management. Over the course of the last month and I half, my lady friend and I have made numerous calls to have them come fix this. They have yet to do so, and with the weather becoming colder, it's a bit if a problem. (I've been sick for 2 weeks because of this!) How do I go about withholding my rent from them? Is it possible to file a suit for damages caused and retrieve my rent from last month (The heat was off then, too.. and every other unit has heat but mine!) I'm fairly positive they are trying to avoid me because they think I'm young and stupid. (I live in an area full of doctors and such.) Little do they know; I'm fully aware of my rights.

So I need to know what I can do about this, and whether or not you think this will effect me in the future, should I decide to stay here for another year.

Thanks for your help, guys.

**Hollywood Landlord** · 11-25-2009, 03:38 PM

you can call the city to let them know you are without heat.

The landlord will be given a notice to have the heat fixed within a certain amount of time and if they don't, they will be fined.

You can also file a complaint with the Housing Authority in your locale and for every day your unit is considered "uninhabitable", you will not owe rent. However, this is subjective and has to be handed down by the judge. If you don't pay any portion of your rent, you can be evicted (with or without heat).

Check out HUD for your full tenant rights.

**Ortigas houses** · 12-07-2009, 11:54 PM

You can tell the landlord about your problem. It is not all about your personality or the class of environment you have into. You are part of the neighborhood also,so speak out what you deserve to have. And if the management doesn't do anything,better find a new house that suits your needs.