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When to file a complaint about your unit – and how to get started

Sinks leak, walls dent and AC goes out. While we all wish housing was perfectly reliable, like all things in life, the places we live will get damaged and need repair. Issues with your house can make life hard and can be expensive to fix. When you’re a renter, you’re not responsible for all repairs. Knowing what you’re responsible for and what your landlord needs to fix can help you decide what you should do next. Follow these steps to find out what repairs you need to make and when you should file a complaint with MHA.

  • Understand what you’re responsible for and what your landlord has to fix. 

When something breaks or stops working at your house, your first task is to decide whether or not you did something to make it break. If something breaks down from regular use, storms or other natural causes, then generally, your landlord is responsible for fixing it. If you make a mistake and damage something in your home, you usually need to make the repair. Here are some examples: 

  • Your AC stops working after an electrical storm. You didn’t do anything to make the AC break down, so you’re not responsible for that repair.
  • You accidentally put a metal dish in your microwave and it stops working. You’d be responsible for that repair. 
  • A tree root grows into your plumbing, causing it to back up. Your landlord is responsible for that repair. 
  • You accidentally open a door too hard and the doorknob goes into the wall behind the door. You’re responsible for repairing that hole.

Read instruction manuals for your appliances to make sure they don’t break down on your watch. If the manuals are not in your unit, ask your landlord for them. If your landlord doesn’t have them, you can usually find them online by searching for the name of your appliance. 

While some wear and tear is inevitable, most can be avoided by being a responsible tenant. Taking your trash out regularly, storing food properly, cleaning regularly and being gentle with your home will prevent damage.

  • Make note of any issues you notice with dates.

If something goes wrong beyond your control, make note of it the first time it happens. A lot of times, you’ll see small signs of a bigger problem before you reach a point where you have to make repairs. For example, you might see discoloration on your ceiling when it rains if there is a leak in your roof. These rings on the ceiling may not drip water into your home the first few times you see them. But if left unattended, they can lead to mold growth and ultimately allow unwanted water into your living space. Make note the first time you see that discoloration so you have documentation to support your need for repairs. 

  • Reach out to your landlord first to see if you can resolve the issue together.

If you see something wrong with your unit, go to your landlord early in the process. Like in the example of the leaking roof we shared earlier, go to your landlord after you first see marks on your ceiling. It is easier to repair a leak in a roof than it is to remediate mold, remove unwanted water and repair extra damage. If your landlord doesn’t respond in a timely manner, usually within 48 hours, then add that to your documentation and reach out to them again with the issue. 

 

  • If your landlord won’t resolve the issue, connect with MHA through the tenant portal.

If there is an issue with your unit that your landlord won’t resolve or won’t respond to your requests for help, you should file a complaint with MHA. Using your tenant portal, you can submit a complaint that will trigger a home inspection. After the inspection, MHA will require your landlord fix any issues that are found within 30 days or 24 hours if they are dangerous. It’s important to know that an inspector might find that you are responsible for making the repairs if it is clear that you’ve done something to cause the damage. But if you follow this process, you should be able to determine whether or not you would be responsible for the repairs your unit needs. 

If you have a Housing Choice Voucher, your home should be safe to live in. If it’s not, we want to help you. Connect with us through your tenant portal today if you’re not getting help from your landlord on needed repairs.