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How can I get homeowner to do repairs on rent house?

I moved into a 4/3 after April 1, 2007. Have had multiple problems with plumbing. A plumber hired by the home warranty company found 1 plumbing problem on the first try, kitchen sink not draining. Dug a hole and exposed the pipe that is not run to sewer. Now, 2 showers will not drain, new plumber came out and can't find the problem. He thinks that it is the same problem as the kitchen sink. Now I have flies everywhere, mosquitos, and goodness knows what else. They have been aware since May of these problems, and the sink drain is a health hazard since there is a garbage disposal hooked to it. I am keeping a log of the communications via e-mail, so they cannot say the weren't made aware. The question is this: Do I have the right to deduct from the rent for not being able to use those 2 bathrooms, and for the time and money spent trying to fix the draining outside away from the house?? I still have 9 months remaining on my lease, but cannot afford to move right now. Received another e-mail from agent, who states that homeowner never returned phone call from last week. After looking through my old e-mails, the original problem was turned in on or about April 10. The second problem was turned in on May 21, with the plumber coming out on May 22. So our showers have not been in use since before May 21 due to the problems. I do have all of the e-mail correspondence that is dated in case I have to take this any further. But do e-mails hold up in court if I have to go?

Public Comments

1. give company 7 days notice to make repair, elt them know on the 8th day you will hire someone to do the repairs. and whatever the cost is you will submit an invoice as well as deduct the cost from next months rent. that is legal and fair esp if u are having all these issues that are not being resolved. good luck!
2. You cannot stop paying your rent on the home if you are in a lease. You can file a grievance with the housing authority and have them send an inspector out to check the premises. It will take some time, but I don't think it costs any money. Continue to keep reciepts for all of your expenses, including exterminating costs, cleaning costs, plumbing costs, and, if necessary, costs for alternative housing if the premises are unlivable. If the housing authority finds that there are legitimate problems in the house, you can be reimbursed for all of these expenses. Usually, if you contact the housing authority, the landlord will make the necessary repairs and try to come to a settlement with you. They don't want to deal with the housing authority. You are not responsible for the repairs. The landlord must supply you with a place that can be occupied safely. The housing authority is the agency that checks out claims of unsafe living conditions. Just be ready to move out for a while if the housing authority does find that the place has to be vacated until the repairs are made. Good luck! ******************************** EDIT: Emails are not the most reliable form of communication. Send a certified letter that requires a signature. That will hold up in court whether he accepts it or not. Don't throw away the emails though. Reference them in the certified letter you send and keep them as additional documentation. State in your letter that you are contacting the housing authority. I wouldn't even wait a day before I contacted them.