Engaging with a Fort Worth property manager is not always easy. Inconvenient repairs, raising rent, and other problems might irritate a tenant. Some hiccups are natural. Yet, you might be wondering what you can do if minor problems start to become outright injustices that violate your rights. If ever a landlord breaks the law, you need to learn what steps to take to protect yourself. If you think that you’re down to the last resort, one choice is to report them to the health department or housing authority. This blog post will list examples of when reporting your landlord is necessary and how to do so.
Landlord Responsibilities
All landlords are responsible for providing their tenants with safe and habitable housing. This denotes the property must be free of health or safety hazards and be up to code. If your landlord does not comply with 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 are lead paint, mold, asbestos, lack of heat, and lack of hot water.
- A housing quality complaint is filed when the property is not maintained properly. This can include 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 ask. 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 must consider reporting your landlord. Perhaps you’ve been asking them to make repairs for months, but nothing has been done. Or maybe there is a health hazard on the property. Whatever the reason, remember that there are government departments that are willing to assist you.
The following are some common reasons to report your landlord:
- Hazardous or unhealthy conditions on the property
- Lack of repairs or maintenance
- Landlord harassment
- Illegal eviction attempts
- Failure to provide required services, for example, heat or hot water
These are just a couple of examples. If you’re unclear whether you have a valid reason to file a complaint, you can call your local health department or housing authority to ask.
How to Report Your Landlord
There are a few procedures you’ll need to do if you opt to file a complaint against your landlord. First, you’ll need to compile evidence of the violation. This can include 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.
Additionally, you can file a civil lawsuit against your landlord. This is not common, but it might be needed if the health department or housing authority is unable to help you.
Reporting your landlord can be uncomfortable, but it’s critical to remember that you have rights as a tenant. If your landlord isn’t giving you a safe and habitable home, you have the right to speak up. With the service of your local health department or housing authority, you can ensure that your landlord is held accountable for their actions.
One of the excellent methods to avoid a bad landlord is to rent from a reputable property management company. At Real Property Management Meridian, we pride ourselves on our outstanding customer service and commitment to maintaining safe and comfortable Fort Worth homes for our tenants. Browse our listings to learn more about our available rentals. We would be honored to assist you in choosing 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.
