Home Repairs Can Break the Bank for Tenants

The list of ways in which housing is unaffordable just keeps getting longer.  Qualifying for a mortgage loan now seems like a pipe dream for everyone except the wealthiest people.  If you are lucky enough to own your house and keep up with the mortgage payments, then the list of things that need repair is almost endless, and you are the one responsible for all of them.   You might think that you can avoid this trap by renting your home instead of owning it, but renting is not a road to riches, either.  Finding an apartment to rent is prohibitively expensive; even if you can afford to get approved for a new apartment, you cannot afford to move there, between the security deposit and the cost of renting a moving truck or hiring professional movers.  This leaves a record number of tenants staying where they are, stuck, because they cannot afford to move.  It is bad enough when your current apartment, which has gotten more expensive while your wages have not increased, is your only option, but it is worse when it needs repairs that your landlord refuses to make.  Unfortunately, with many types of repairs, the law is on your landlord’s side, and the repairs are the tenant’s responsibility.  The worse news is that many of these repairs are not cheap.  If you have gone broke keeping your rented accommodations in livable condition, contact a Boca Raton debt lawyer.

How Landlords Nickel and Dime Tenants Out of Maintenance Costs

You can figure out which maintenance issues are your responsibility and which are your landlord’s responsibility by reading your lease agreement carefully.  Every lease agreement is unique, but most of them hold tenants responsible for the following repairs:

• Drain clogs – Major plumbing issues, such as leaking pipes, are the landlord’s responsibility. If the problem is that a sink, toilet, or bathtub will not drain because of a clog, then it is the tenant’s responsibility.  Sometimes it is not just as simple as wielding a plunger or sink-sized pipe cleaner.  If you must call a plumber to clear a clogged drain, it is your responsibility to pay the plumber.
• Cosmetic repairs – Repairs that do not jeopardize the safety or function of the apartment and its fixtures are the responsibility of the tenant. If something is merely annoying to look at, such as a stain on the wall, you are the one who must pay to fix it.
• Yard maintenance – If you are renting a house, townhouse, or ground floor apartment with a backyard, then you must maintain the yard at your own expense.

These expenses can cause a significant financial strain for tenants who are living paycheck to paycheck.  By consolidating or settling your debts, you might be able to free up funds to spruce up your current apartment or move to a new one.

Work With a Debt Lawyer About Coping With the Financial Doldrums of Renting

A South Florida debt lawyer can help you settle or restructure debts you incurred by maintaining your rented apartment.  Contact Nowack & Olson, PLLC in Boca Raton, Florida to discuss your case.

Source:

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