abandoned mobile homePhoto byTheOtherKev on Pixabay
Landlord rented mobile home with no working heat source
Tenant Tamara Roberts of Noble, Oklahoma, showed a screen shot of a message her landlord had sent to her. It said:
“Do you have any money you can give the maintenance guy for parts? We don’t have any maintenance money with it being the end of the month.”
Earlier in the month, this tenant had reported that in October, a Cleveland County landlord rented a mobile home with no heating furnace to the family. When the recent cold snap moved through the area bringing sub-zero temperatures, it froze their water pipes. Ms. Roberts contacted the landlord again, only to receive a text requesting help with money to pay for the repairs.
I never in my life had a landlord ask me to buy anything for a house–ever–you know? That’s pretty crazy….I just don’t understand it…it’s unbelievable.”
The family has had no central heating since they moved in on October 1. A local news station, KFOR, contacted the landlord to tell her this was illegal, but received no response.
Legal Aid gives this advice:
The renter can immediately end their rental agreement if this (the house is deemed uninhabitable) is the case. In this situation, a renter would not owe rent if the home becomes uninhabitable and they have let the landlord know in writing, always a paper letter.
Legal Aid advises the tenant to contact an attorney before taking any official action. The landlord could persuade the judge that the house is habitable, and the tenant would have to pay court costs. However, Legal Aid says that when there are utility issues involved, the tenant has more options:
If you have no water, heat, electricity, natural gas, or “other essential services” (such as air conditioning in the summer), you have more options.
You must first give the landlord a letter, or written notice, describing the problem in detail. The next step you choose depends on which remedy you use. (see options below)
Additionally, HousingAdviceni.org recommends contacting your local Environment Health Office if the level of disrepair poses a health concern.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only.
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