Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Louisiana

Landlord is not willing to fix the mold, dishwasher, leaks, or finish the house. Also, he refuses to give me a contract even though it was agreed that I would have a written contract. We never agreed upon the price of rent or the due date. I was told that the house was finished and had no problems. Now, I've been with holding the rent until he fixes the problems. So, he is threatening to come on 01/17/2013 with a truck and move my belongings out. Does he have the right to do so without a proper eviction or contract? What should I do, because I was told that I would be buying this place and the rent would be going toward the purchase price. I moved in on 11/06/2012 and have paid $800.00 thus far. I have been telling him that these things needed to be taken care of and he has not been willing to fix any of them. He keeps saying that he won't fix anything until I pay him $1,900.00. He is saying that any of the problems with the house is because of me; not the fact that he didn't take care of the issues when he refurbished the house. What should I do?


Asked on 1/15/13, 7:38 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Adam Lambert The Law Office of Adam S. Lambert

You have problems. You can't just refuse to pay rent if the landlord refuses to make repairs. There is a process set out in the law that you must follow. Moreover, if you don't have a signed lease, the landlord can simply end your verbal lease at the end of the month with 10 days' notice. Never move in or give a landlord a deposit until you sign the lease (unless you want a verbal lease that can be cancelled on 10 days' notice).

As for your rent going towards a purchase, that is not the case unless you have a written agreement (lease-purchase, bond-for-deed, etc.). You can't agree to sell property verbally. It must be in writing.

You need to speak to an attorney at length. You are in a mess right now.

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Answered on 1/16/13, 10:18 am


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