Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Maryland

no heat pay rent?

I found out we didn't have heat in 3 rooms in the house we are renting. Owner is out of the country. Electrians came when old prop. mgr. was in charge.new management is giving me the run around. 3 space heaters were provided but it is still cold. my electric bill has tripled and my children are sick. I called housing ath. that's when the heaters were brought out (thanksgiving).what can i do legally?


Asked on 12/26/00, 4:06 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Sher Wagshal and Sher

Re: no heat pay rent?

Write a letter to management telling them that if they don't send an electrician out immediately to fix the problem you will do so and deduct the cost from the rent. Continue to complain to the housing authority as well. You have a strong case for claiming that the landlord has breached its warranty of habitability in the lease, which means that the landlord has the duty of keeping the property habitable (liveable). Lack of adequate heat in this weather, especially with children in the premises, is a breach. They should also reimburse you for the additional utility expense if you can establish that the replacement of the central system with the space heaters is the cause of it.

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Answered on 12/27/00, 4:22 pm


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