What are my rights? (2013, rental, house)

[alimaeog]

We rent a house in a not-so-good neighborhood. Our windows do not have screens or locks. Our landlord will not buy screens or repair/replace windows so that we can lock them. We also are required to run an extension cord through a window for the sprinkler system and that window can not be secured either. Does our landlord have to provide us with locking windows and screens by law or are we just at the mercy of burglars? We are always affraid of burglary.

[Shawn_Estrada]

Please see this document, it was put together by a City Building Department that fields typical questions like these:

Renter's Rights

You have a good renter's right case by virtue of the wiring issue/fire hazard. Please contact your landlord, and if he won't do anything, than please contact your local building official to come and inspect the home for "health and safety" reasons. If the building official issues a violation to your landlord, your landlord will have to correct inefficiencies in a timely fashion per your local municipal code.

[Twinkle Toes]

Did you rent this house knowing about these defects? Did you know about the defects before you moved in?

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Twinkle Toes

Did you rent this house knowing about these defects? Did you know about the defects before you moved in?

Uh oh! OP, you have the right to remain silent...

[sjnative]

Originally Posted by Twinkle Toes

Did you rent this house knowing about these defects? Did you know about the defects before you moved in?

Why didn't you just give a sermon about the OP's responsibilities and what s/he should have done while mindlessly ignoring that the landlord has responsibilities, too?

As well, here' a link to maybe get some free legal assistance:

Legal Assistance - HUD

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by sjnative

Why didn't you just give a sermon about the OP's responsibilities and what s/he should have done while mindlessly ignoring that the landlord has responsibilities, too?

As well, here' a link to maybe get some free legal assistance:

Legal Assistance - HUD

let me just say this? I think Twinkle Toes knows exactly what she is talking about>

Let the tenant be aware. I would hate to be him and I can't believe the landlord will not provide locks (screens that might be a little different)

Nita

[Bob's Burgers]

Move

[Poltracker]

Each city and state has different LL/Tenant laws. You need to find the laws applicable to your location and read them thoroughly. You also need to read your lease thoroughly. After you have done this, if you find that the LL is not complying or you find repairs are needed, you need to notify him or her in writing and mail the letter to him/her certiifed return receipt requested (per your area's laws). Also mail a copy to yourself and do not open it (you need the stamped date on the envelop) but do keep it. This may be evidence that you need later. Other or additional options are to contact various authorities in your city/location to conduct habitability/safety inspections. Be prepared to move because this could get nasty. Just my opinion folks....

[KC6ZLV]

From the California Landlord-Tenant Handbook:

"A dwelling also may be considered uninhabitable (unlivable) if it substantially lacks any of the following:

operable dead bolt locks on the main entry doors of rental units, and operable locking or security devices on windows."
Page 38.

http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/l...k/catenant.pdf

[Twinkle Toes]

Originally Posted by sjnative

Why didn't you just give a sermon about the OP's responsibilities and what s/he should have done while mindlessly ignoring that the landlord has responsibilities, too?

As well, here' a link to maybe get some free legal assistance:

Legal Assistance - HUD

The questions are very relevant. YOU may not understand why I asked them, but I do.