Housing: What are the obligations of the owner?

Conversation between two friends, via SMS

* I still don't have hot water

* Again?? Your landlord still hasn't done anything?

* I called him but still nothing

* Stop paying the rent until he does the repairs!

Received idea?

Do you have the right to stop paying your rent if your landlord doesn't do the work? No!

Response from expert Service-Public.fr

No, you can't do yourself justice. You must meet the obligation to pay the rent or your lease may be terminated.

As a first step, you should verify that repairs are not included in the list of rental repairs, i.e. small repairs equivalent to routine maintenance of the dwelling that are the responsibility of the tenant.

If this repair is not the responsibility of the tenant, the landlord has an obligation to make this repair to restore the hot water. You must inform them of the problem.

If he does not respond, you must demand that he make this repair by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt. If he does not reply, you have the opportunity to refer the matter to the departmental conciliation committee.

And as a last resort, you can go to court.

Key takeaways

· You must pay your rent

· Verify who is to perform the work

· Owner must restore hot water

· Your efforts:

1. Alert the owner

2. Put him on notice

3. Enter the departmental reconciliation commission

· Last resort: go to court