Legal help with landlord disputes
With a building collapsed in Washington and others condemned in the past 10 days, we offer advice for tenants so that they can take steps against their landlords earlier, before municipal condemnation.
First, landlords must keep their rental units safe, sanitary and “habitable,” or livable. No lease agreement can sign away that legal obligation. For serious violations, tenants can withhold rent, deduct repair costs from rent or sue the landlord to make repairs or reimburse them for repairs.
Before taking these steps, tenants must give landlords written notice of the poor conditions followed by a reasonable chance to make repairs.
Low-income tenants can contact Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc., for assistance. We are available to further explain these rights and responsibilities.
Brian Gorman
Washington
Gorman is the executive director of Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.