REPAIRS
TO
RENTALS
HOW TO REQUEST REPAIRS.
WHAT TO DO IF REPAIRS ARE NOT MADE.
GALLIA COUNTY FAIR HOUSING PROGRAM
TELEPHONE: 740-446-4612 EXT. 232
HOW TO REQUEST REPAIRS
AND
WHAT TO DO IF REPAIRS ARE NOT MADE
First, you must send a letter to the landlord outlining the needed repairs. Be sure to retain a copy of this letter for your records. This letter should be mailed certified, return receipt requested. Include photographs of problem areas, if possible.
Repairs should be made by the landlord within a reasonable period of time, usually defined as 30 days, unless the condition is threatening the tenant's health.
If the landlord does not make the requested repairs, the tenant may do one of the following:
• Deposit all rent with the Clerk of Court's for the Gallipolis Municipal Court. The tenant MUST BE CURRENT IN RENT to use this option. The tenant must have a copy of the letter sent to the landlord outlining the requested repairs, along with proof the letter was sent (return receipt from certified mail).
• Ask the court to order the repairs to be made. The tenant may ask that the rent be reduced until the until the repairs are made, or that rent paid into the escrow account be released to make the necessary repairs.
• Terminate the rental agreement with no penalty (after proper notice is given) if the landlord has failed to fulfill his/her responsibilities.
PLEASE NOTE: These actions cannot be taken against a landlord who owns 3 or fewer rental units and who informed the tenant of this fact in writing at the time of occupancy.
NOTICE TO REMEDY CONDITIONS
This letter may be sent to a landlord when requesting repairs be made:
Date:
Landlord's Name:
Address:
Dear
This letter is being sent to you pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code governing obligations of a landlord, section 5321.04(A). I am requesting the following repairs be made to the unit I occupy at
1
2
3
I am requesting the aforesaid conditions be remedied by (30 days from above date).
Under the Ohio Landlord-Tenant Law (Ohio Revised Code 5321.07(A), I have the right to withhold payment of rent to the landlord under the following circumstances:
1 If the landlord fails to fulfill any obligations imposed on him/her by the Ohio Revised Code 5321.04;
2 If the landlord fails to fulfill any obligations imposed on him/her by the rental agreement;
3 If the conditions of the premises are such that the tenant reasonably believes that the landlord has failed to fulfill any obligations;
4 If a government agency has found that the premises are not in compliance with building, housing, health or safety codes which apply to any condition of the residential premises that could materially affect the health and safety of an occupant.
I will be depositing my rent payments with the Clerk of Courts for the Gallipolis Municipal Court if the conditions are not remedied.
Please contact me as soon as possible to discuss when these repairs can be made.
Respectfully,
Tenant's Name:
Address:
Telephone Number:
Keep two copies - one for you and one for the court.
FAILURE TO REMEDY CONDITIONS
TENANT TO VACATE UNIT
This letter should be used when a landlord has failed to remedy conditions within a reasonable time period and the tenant wishes to exercise his/her right to vacate the premises.
Date:
Landlord's Name:
Address:
Dear
On I sent you a letter indicating the following conditions existed in my rental unit and common areas:
In my letter, I requested the aforesaid conditions be remedied by . These items remain uncorrected.
Under the Ohio Landlord-Tenant Law (Ohio Revised Code 5321.07 (B)(3), I have the right to terminate our rental agreement if I have given you written notice of the aforesaid conditions and you fail to remedy then within a reasonable time. Since you have failed to do so, I am moving out of the premises located at
on . Please send me my security deposit of $ to me at the following address:
Under the Ohio Landlord-Tenant Law, I am entitled to the return of my security deposit within thirty (30) days of the termination of this agreement.
Respectfully,
Tenant's Name:
Address:
Telephone Number:
HELP
If you cannot afford an attorney, but feel you need legal assistance, free legal aid is provided every other Tuesday in the Gallia County Courthouse, second floor meeting room by:
Southeastern Ohio Legal Services
490 Richland Avenue
Athens, Ohio 45701
1-800-686-3669 (Toll Free)
1-740-594-3558 (Local)
For dates and times available at the Courthouse please call the Gallia County Commissioner's Office @ 740-446-4612 Ext. 226.
If you have questions about the information in this brochure, you are invited to call:
Gallia County Commissioner's Office
Karen Sprague, Fair Housing Coordinator
18 Locust Street, Room 1292
Gallipolis, Ohio 45631
1-740-446-4612 Ext. 232
FAIR HOUSING IS MORE THAN A GOOD IDEA, IT'S THE LAW!
It is illegal to discriminate against a person because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap or familial status:
• In the sale or rental of housing or residential lots.
• In advertising the sale or rental of housing.
• In the financing of housing.
• In the provision of real estate brokerage services.
If you feel you have been discriminated against, you may file a complaint with the following:
HUD 1-800-669-9777 (toll free voice number)
HUD 1-800-927-9275 (toll free TDD number)
Ohio Civil Rights Commission 1-614-466-5928
Funded by Community Development Block Grant Funds, U. S. Department of HUD