Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Maryland

Re: Water Damage to Rental Property

What you may be dealing with is "constructive eviction". This is when the

property becomes unhabitable and the landlord, either through action of non-action, has

constructively created a situation that evicts the tenant from use of the premises.

Tell the landlord, and his/her agent, to fix the damage. Do so by registered mail and make clear that you want them to take action to fix the problem immediately.

Give them a deadline and follow through with your actions.

Re: Water Damage to Rental Property

I suggest you write (fax, email) the real estate agent and give them a deadline for getting a contractor out to inspect the damage or you will do so yourself. The problem you might have is that a roofer may be reluctant to deal with a renter, since you really don't have authority to approve that kind of repair. But if you provide him with some assurance of payment, it may work out. The landlord should pay to have your carpet replaced and any other damage caused by the wet conditions, but you won't get compensated for inconvenience or "emotional" injury because of this. If you tell the agent you'll withhold the cost of repair from the rent unless immediate action is taken, it may get the landlord's attention.