Q&A for How to Report Slumlords

No. You can contact your city's HUD line and file a report, providing all evidence you can of contacting the landlord about the issue (e-mails, texts, etc.). If they find the report valid, they will set up an escrow account to which you'll pay your rent instead of your landlord; your landlord will receive the money in escrow once the maintenance issues have been resolved and inspected.

As a general rule, the landlord would first need to have a valid reason to terminate your lease prior to giving you notice of intent to evict. Once you have received the notice and refused to vacate voluntarily, the landlord would then have the right to sue for an eviction order. You, naturally, may have various defenses and counterclaims, depending upon the circumstances of your particular lease and the local laws.

An emergency maintenance issue would be something may cause immediate damage or serious hazards of injury. For example, something that could cause a fire or flood if not stopped within a few minutes would qualify as an emergency.

In theory, anyone can file a complaint about any violation of code, including health, building, fire and environmental codes. If the landlord doesn't cooperate with the investigation, agencies may even obtain administrative warrants to enter the property for the "health, safety and general welfare" of all, under the general police power granted to states (in the USA).

Many places have statutes that protect tenants from retaliatory eviction after filing valid complaints against the landlord. In many cases there is a presumption of retaliation if the eviction is filed within six months of the complaint being officially filed to the landlord or a regulatory agency.

Unless you have proof of written notice, then there is a general presumption that it didn't happen. Send your written notice via certified mail and keep a copy for your legal file in case your landlord tries to evict you.

By definition, you do have a rental agreement if you are expected to pay rent. Many state laws would automatically apply (in the USA); you have various statutory rights and the landlord has obligations under the law. Your local tenant-rights agencies may be able to help you figure out your options.

There are always watchdog agencies who are able to deal with them at a state or local level. Start with a local tenant-rights office to see what they recommend.

If your own rental insurance won't pay (or you don't have any), you can send your landlord a bill for damage arising from the negligence. If the landlord refuses to pay, you can sue with proof that it was somehow the landlord's negligence in a legal obligation to make sure you were provided with the agreed-upon refrigeration.

If your landlord is using a "no pets" policy to violate your rights as a disabled person who needs a support animal, you may want to have someone investigate your claim for official action to help you.

A rent agreement simply means you're allowed to stay somewhere in exchange for rent; it usually doesn't need to be in writing, depending upon specific state laws regarding its duration and the amount being paid (statute of frauds).

You should report unsanitary conditions immediately and get local advice on how to handle your obligation to pay rent, if at all.