SITUATION IN WHICH TENANT CAN COMPLAIN AGAINST LANDLORD IN
USA
PROCEDURE OF COMPLAIN
The tenant can complain against the landlord if they’re doing something
wrong or Tenant is unhappy with their behavior, for example, if:
- they
aren’t doing repairs they’re responsible for
- they’re harassing tenants,
- for example by entering a tenant's home without his permission
- they discriminate against the tenant,
- for example by charging him a higher rent or
deposit than other tenants because of your nationality, race, age, or sex
It’s best for the tenant to speak to the landlord first to solve his problem.
If this doesn’t help there are other steps the tenant can take to complain.
If the tenant has an emergency situation for example, if they are illegally evicted or threatened with violence they should call the police straightaway.
Don’t be afraid to make a complaint - The law is there to help them
the landlord can't just end the tenant's tenancy because they have made a complaint - but they might try, especially if they have got an assured short hold tenancy.
STEP WHICH YOU CAN FOLLOW AS TENANT IN CASE OF VIOLENCE
You can often get your problem solved quickly by speaking to your
landlord first. Explain what you’re unhappy about and ask them to sort out the
problem.
Take someone with you for support when you speak to your landlord if you feel it will help you. If you don't want to speak to them face to face or on the phone you could email them.
Before discussing the problem you should:
- note down everything
you want to say - you can refer to your notes during your conversation or
put them in an email
- Contact
your nearest Citizens Advice to discuss the situation -
they can check your legal rights and help you speak to your landlord
You can find your landlord's name and contact details (including
their address) on your tenancy agreement or your rent book. Ask your
landlord or their agent, for example, a family member that manages the property
for the details, if you can’t find them. They have to give them to you.
PROCEDURE OF COMPLAINT
There are steps you can take to complain if your problem isn’t
solved by speaking to or emailing your landlord.
1. FORMAL COMPLAINT TO LANDLORD
2. COMPLAIN TO THE LOCAL COUNCIL
3. COURT ACTION
STEP.1 FORMAL COMPLAIN
You can make a formal complaint by writing a letter to your
landlord.
Explain your problem and what you want them to do to solve it. Tell them what rights you have and what you think they should have done to find out what rights you have.
Make sure your complaint letter is clear and includes evidence.
You should include in your letter:
- what you’re
complaining about
- what you want
them to do about the problem
- dates and times
the problem took place
- details of any
conversations with your landlord and what they agreed to do
- copies of any
letters or emails between you and your landlord
- photographs -
for example showing damage or disrepair, particularly if the problem gets
worse over time
- receipts for
things you've had to pay for because of the problem - for example, laundry
bills if your washing machine broke down
- a
note from your doctor (if possible) - if the problem has affected your
health or safety
Step 2:
complain to your local council
If making a formal complaint to your landlord doesn't solve your problem you might be able to complain to your local council.
Your local council can only help with complaints about:
- repairs
that cause a risk to your health and safety not being done (e.g.
faulty electrical wiring not being fixed)
- illegal
eviction
- harassment
- dishonest or unfair trading behavior
Complain by writing a letter. Explain your problem and the steps
you’ve taken to try to solve it with your landlord. Include a copy of the
letter you sent to your landlord.
Contact
your nearest Citizens Advice if you need help making a
complaint.
If you
still can’t get your problem fixed
If your landlord still doesn’t sort out your problem after you’ve
tried all the steps or if the council can’t help, you might be able to take
court action. Taking court action is expensive, make sure it’s the right option
for you.
- Get advice from your nearest Citizens Advice before taking court action. An adviser can help you look at all your options for dealing with your problem. They can also tell you if you might be able to get help with legal costs.