When (and How) to Report a Bad Landlord

On occasion, dealing with a Glendale property manager can be complicated. Improper repairs, raising rent, and more can upset a tenant. Some hiccups are unavoidable. However, when little troubles evolve into outright injustices that violate your rights, you might be wondering what you can do. In the rare scenario that a landlord breaks the law, you need to learn what steps to take to protect yourself. If you feel that you’re down to the last resort, one opportunity is to report them to the health department or housing authority. This blog post will list examples of when reporting your landlord is required and how to do so.

Landlord Responsibilities

All landlords are responsible for providing their tenants with safe and habitable housing. This entails that the property must be free of health or safety hazards and be up to code. If your landlord is not adhering to 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 correctly maintained. For example, leaky ceilings, broken elevators, and rodent infestations.

If you are questioning 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 explain to you what the regulations are in your area and if your landlord is following them.

Reasons to Report Your Landlord

There are various reasons why you have to consider reporting your landlord. Possibly you’ve been pleading with them to make repairs for months, and they still haven’t finished anything. Or perhaps you’re concerned about a health hazard on the property. Whatever the reason, know that there are government departments that are equipped to help you.

Following are a few common reasons to report your landlord:

• Unsafe 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 decide to file a complaint against your landlord, there are a few things you’ll need to do. First, you’ll need to obtain evidence of the violation. This can consist of photos, witness statements, and any other documentation that you have. The next move is to file a complaint with your local health department or housing authority. They will investigate your claim and take action if required.

In addition, you can file a civil lawsuit against your landlord. This is unlikely, but it may be necessary if the health department or housing authority cannot help you.

Reporting your landlord can be a challenging undertaking, but it’s imperative to remember that you have rights as a tenant. If your landlord is not giving you a safe and habitable home, you have the right to speak up. With the aid of your local health department or housing authority, you can safeguard that your landlord is held accountable for their actions.

One of the effective methods to avoid a bad landlord is to rent from a reputable property management company. At Real Property Management Vision, we pride ourselves on our superb customer service and dedication to maintaining safe and comfortable Glendale homes for our tenants. Browse our listings to learn more about our available rentals. We would be delighted to assist you in seeking a safe and affordable place to call home.