Help finding a law about negligent landlords and do you think this would apply? (rent)

[randoreds]

I live in TN. Ok, there are two toilets in our home. the downstair's toilet works but randomly floods. Then upstairs the toilet completely stopped working. Called my landlord and he said under no circumstance would he pay a plumber to fix it.

So since we need our toilets, I called a plumber. The plumber had to replace a piece downstairs and said upstairs the really old water pipes aren't working anymore. And in order for the toilet to work properly again, the pipes would have to be replaced. I told him about my situtition with my landlord, and he said in TN there is a law about negligent landlords and if they refuse to due house maintenance, you can take money out of the rent and do it yourself. Since they are require to provide a livable space for you.

I'm already on pretty bad terms with my landlord because he refused to fix 4 ceiling leaks. Then accused us of creating them. So I want to be sure, before I tell him about what the plumber said.

So my questions are does anyone know of that law and do you think this would apply?

[Pam& Bill]

I've never heard of that law, just the opposite regarding withholding any part of the rent to repay the repairs. Doesn't mean I wasn't given bad info.
Why don't you move instead of staying there if the place isn't livable? This isn't the best place to be asking for information such as you need. You need to talk with a lawyer I would think.
Good luck,
Pam
I just found this link by googling tenant rights in Tennessee. Maybe it will help you.

http://www.tn.gov/consumer/documents...ntBrochure.pdf

[hiknapster]

Yes, they have to fix it unless it is something that you are purposely doing. Even then, they will have to fix it and then prove you are doing it and take you to court to sue you for the damages. That brochure Pam put up is great. You probably noticed but the number for the consumer hotline is (615) 741-4737.