Re: Reasonable to request a rent reduction? - Landlord Forum thread 317548

Re: Reasonable to request a rent reduction? by Anonymous on April 16, 2014 @06:51

Because this was a basement bedroom (finished) and the leak was not due to an appliance malfunction or plumbing problem, my renters insurance does not cover any damage. I called them and explained what happened (because I was interested in purchasing additional coverage in the event it happened again and I did have damage) and they said that in the situation I describe the LL would be liable because the water seepage was due to a drainage issue that LL should have mitigated. I did not have any personal property damage in any event because I woke up in the middle of the night, discovered the water (it was my bedroom and I was sleeping in it) and immediately moved all the items in the room out.
I do not feel I am whining. LL left wet drywall up in the room- despite us stating our concerns and one handyman stating his concerns- until yesterday (over 2 weeks after the initial flood). Everything I had read and researched about flooding said you needed to get wet materials out within the first 2-3 days because mold grows after 48 hours which is why I was concerned about mold.

About 2 weeks prior to this flood, we signed a lease renewal for another year (keeping us here for another 15 months). At that time LL said we could break the lease no problem. We immediately began looking for suitable alternative housing. However we live in a small, rural area and housing in our town is in very very high demand. It's a university town and so right now there is nothing suitable available until at least the end of the academic year. My children are in school here and we are only living here through the end of the lease term. I am unwilling to switch schools for them.

At this point I am satisfied with what my LL is doing to remedy the situation. We wrote him a letter detailing the hardship this has caused our family, asking for the rent reduction and mold testing. LL wasn't happy about it and said we should find somewhere else to live. He plans to tear down this house and build himself a new one on the lot when our lease term ends in 15 months. I said I wasn't terminating the lease on my end until I had such place secured. Then he changed his tune the next day and said he wanted to find a solution to keep us in the house (we are good tenants). I'm assuming because he is not ready to move forward with his construction plans and so he wants our significant rent money in the meantime. So we have had mold testing done (waiting on results) and more drywall removed. However it will work out that for the month of April my husband and I have no access to our bedroom and because of all our things and ourselves and the possibility of mold, my children have not had access to the playroom living area that was also in the basement (adjacent to the bedroom).

My home is 1400 SF MOL and the basement living space is 470 SF MOL. It is a significant portion of space in a small house with 5 occupants. We rented the house with all the living spaces in dry, livable condition (this bedroom is a legal bedroom with a full egress window). I feel it is LL's responsibility to maintain that space in a safe and sanitary living condition. How is that whining?

I just wanted LL opinions if the rent reduction I am requesting (which is a 20% reduction of the total rent, btw) is a reasonable calculation. I measured my square footage, calculated the rent per SF, and deducted for total loss of the bedroom and half loss of the basement living space and then rounded down about $80 to a $500 deduction which is 20% of my rent total.

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Re: Reasonable to request a rent reduction? by Stacey on April 16, 2014 @06:54	[ Reply ]

This above comment is mine, sorry, not sure why the name didn't associate as I did enter it. Thanks.