Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California
3 attempts failed to get landlord to fix broken pilot light on stove
we've put in 3 work orders (over a period of about 2 weeks) for the landlord to fix our pilot lights on our stove and each time, they just re-lit them and said no problem found. On one occasion, he said no problem found but on our return from work, the kitchen was saturated with propane and 3 of the 4 burners were out. We called emergency service and he just re-lit the pilot and said that we should call service in the morning. We called in the morning and explained that the stove was leaking gas and upon our return from work, 3 of the 4 pilot lights were out again and NOBODY had come to fix it. Called again immediatly and said nobody would be able to fix it till tomorrow. It's a cycle that keeps repeating and every morning, we have pilot lights that go out. What are our options as renters to force them to take responsibility for this very dangerous problem? In addition, the building inspectors came on their routine check and noted that the stove was a hazard and notified management. Still, nothing has been done and we don't feel safe. Can we negotiate a lower rent and do the repair ourselves, do the repairs and deduct from rent, or withold rent until the problem is fixed? What's the best solution? Thanks!
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: 3 attempts failed to get landlord to fix broken pilot light on stove
Contact the city inspector and have them look at the stove. They will cite him and require to repair within a very short time and check to see if repairs were made properly. If not, can fix yourself and withold rent in amount of repairs. Good luck and thanks for inquiring.