In some cases, coping with a Gilroy property manager isn’t easy. Poor repairs, raising rent, and other problems can irritate a tenant. Some hiccups are inevitable. However, when little annoyances turn into outright injustices that violate your rights, you might be wondering what you can do. In the unlikely event that a landlord breaks the law, you need to understand what steps to take to protect yourself. If you feel that you’re down to the last resort, you could report them to the health department or housing authority. This blog post will list examples of when reporting your landlord is vital and how to do so.
Landlord Responsibilities
All landlords are responsible for providing their tenants with safe and habitable housing. This means that the property must be free of health or safety hazards and be up to code. If your landlord ignores these standards, you may have grounds to file a complaint.
There are two types of complaints that you can file against your landlord:
- A health and safety complaint is filed when the property is not up to code or if there are health hazards involved. Examples of health and safety violations include lead paint, mold, asbestos, lack of heat, and lack of hot water.
- A housing quality complaint is filed when the property is not carefully maintained. This incorporates leaky ceilings, broken elevators, and rodent infestations.
If you are not clear whether your landlord is violating the law, you can always refer to your local Landlord/Tenant Laws, health department, or housing authority to inquire. They will be able to clarify what the regulations are in your area and if your landlord is following them.
Reasons to Report Your Landlord
There are several grounds why you have to consider reporting your landlord. Perhaps you’ve been talking with them to make repairs for months, and they still haven’t taken any action. Or perhaps you’re concerned about a health hazard on the property. Whatever the reason, understand that there are government departments that are eager to help you.
The following are a few typical reasons to report your landlord:
- Dangerous or unhealthy conditions on the property
- Lack of repairs or maintenance
- Landlord harassment
- Illegal eviction attempts
- Failure to provide required services, like heat or hot water
These are just a few examples. You can call your local health department or housing authority to find out if you have a valid reason to file a complaint.
How to Report Your Landlord
If you opt to file a complaint against your landlord, you’ll need to do a couple of things. First, you’ll need to seek evidence of the violation. This can consist of photos, witness statements, and any other documentation that you have. The next action is to file a complaint with your local health department or housing authority. They will investigate your claim and take action if relevant.
In addition, you can file a civil lawsuit against your landlord. This is improbable, but it may be necessary if the health department or housing authority cannot assist you.
Reporting your landlord can be a hard process, but you should keep in mind that you have rights as a tenant. If your landlord is unwilling to provide you safe and habitable home, you have the right to speak up. With the aid of your local health department or housing authority, you can guarantee that your landlord is held accountable for their actions.
One of the effective ways to avoid a bad landlord is to rent from a reputable property management company. At Real Property Management Silicon Valley, we pride ourselves on our high-quality customer service and dedication to maintaining safe and comfortable Gilroy homes for our tenants. Browse our listings to learn more about our available rentals. We would be pleased to assist you in seeking a safe and affordable place to call home.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
