How to handle a BAD LANDLORD???? (San Antonio, Seguin: rentals, hotel, attorney)

[Blondeee]

Hello,

I've read all of your listings so much I feel like I know most of you! I have a big problem with my Great Northwest area landlord so I thought I would ask for your input.

I moved to SA from Seguin about 14 months ago. I rented a house from an elderly "man" who owns a few dozen rentals in SA. All was fine the first year as there were only minor repairs needed which I took care of myself. My lease states that I have to pay the first $75.00 of a service call, so usually it is easier/cheaper for me to fix something than shell out the $75.00. I resigned my lease in August, and as if on cue everything has begun breaking. I live off of Tezel/Culebra/Grissom and I believe this house is from the late '70's.

One problem is that the landlord is only sending over his "handyman" to fix things, and the handyman is not licensed or even especially adept. My current problem though is with the water heater. It went out a week ago and I insisted the landlord call a licensed plumber this time. The plumber has made 4 trips over to fix it and has told the landlord it needs to be replaced. The landlord refuses and has sent him back repeatedly to fix it. When I call the landlord I just get his voicemail. We didn't have hot water for five days and then it was finally fixed Saturday evening. However on Sunday when my daughters and I returned home from Church there was a STRONG smell of gas when we walked into the house, where there was a gas leak from the water heater -which was being picked up by the AC/fan system in the same garage utility closet, and the gas was being sent into the house through the duct work. I called the landlord and I got his message "Our office hours are M - F from 8 - 5. You will NOT be able to leave a message here, so please call back during our regularr office hours. CLICK!" (This is so infuriating... what would he do if the house burned down or something? ) OK off the subject but you get the idea... he doesn't want to hear it. So - I called the plumber again who told me to turn off all of the gas and he would be BACK again today. I just spoke with the plumber and he said he thinks it's patched together for the time being - but the water heater AND the HVAC unit sharing that closet are NOT up to code AT ALL, not even close. He said that personally he wouldn't let anyone live there with that wiring.

Well, this is worrisome(!).

Does anyone know if a landlord in SA has a responsibility to rent out a house that IS up to code, or am I out of luck if I initially "accepted" the house that way? I of course didn't know I was moving my children into a firetrap with a landlord who is Ebenezer's older brother... Also of note is that my coworker (who is tired of listening to me whine about Landlord) just printed a list off of the County website of all of the JUDGEMENTS this landlord has won against his tenants when they move out, and he claims they destroyed his rental properties. Something to look forward to, I'm afraid.

So, any input? Thank you all so much,

Blondeee

[scuba steve]

the landlord sounds like a real POS... More of a slumlord. I'm pretty sure you have a case with whatever governmental agency handles this sort of thing. The gas leak creates an uninhabitable condition. I don't know how to report it to the city though.

[ocean2026]

You can look up statutes on the links section of aransasbar.org - that's our local bar association.

This is not my area of law but you should protect yourself by sending certified letters ( and keeping a copy) with your requests. I believe after that you could have gotten someone else to fix the water issue and sent the landlord the bill which you deduct from your rent.

Documentation is crucial -eventually you can go to your jp court and nail him.

[fierce_flawless]

Originally Posted by scuba steve

the landlord sounds like a real POS... More of a slumlord. I'm pretty sure you have a case with whatever governmental agency handles this sort of thing. The gas leak creates an uninhabitable condition. I don't know how to report it to the city though.

You can call CPS about the gas leak, but they might come shut it off (the gas) completely... I've 'heard'' about people who were able to sue for a hotel cost or whatever when something like this happened but I don't know how easy that would be.

Do a Google search for Texas tenant rights... there are sources out there for finding out what actions you can take in situations like this, including giving written notice of the problem (certified mail), having the repairs done yourself and then deducting from rent, etc... but be sure you do it to the letter if you decide to handle things that way.

Try this:

Texas Attorney General - Tenant Rights

[jules07]

Originally Posted by ocean2026

You can look up statutes on the links section of aransasbar.org - that's our local bar association.

This is not my area of law but you should protect yourself by sending certified letters ( and keeping a copy) with your requests. I believe after that you could have gotten someone else to fix the water issue and sent the landlord the bill which you deduct from your rent.

Documentation is crucial -eventually you can go to your jp court and nail him.

For San Antonio?????

[shoosh1958]

Sounds like a guy we used to rent from! We were told to call Code Compliance and have them come out and take pictures and get documentation. We were thisclose to doing that when we found the house we ended up buying.

[angtha]

Eek! So sorry that sounds horrible. I know atty's are pricey but you should consult one. They usually offer free advice.

[queenofsand]

Lots of great info here:

Home

[jules07]

Originally Posted by queenofsand

Lots of great info here:

Home

Now THAT looks like a helpful link!!!

[sarahdsmom]

Not only would I contact code complience and every other agency I could think of to report this a-hole...I would also be on the phone with all the local news "troubleshooters" people. They love these kind of stories! This person needs everyone breathing down his neck.