Q: Can a landlord sue for back or unpaid rent when the dwelling does not match the terms of the lease
He did not complete renovations. The lease outlines the list, and ends item 7 with, “The total cost of these improvements are not to exceed thirty thousand dollars ($30,000).”
My landlord only spent $6,500 in renovations on interior painting and new appliances. He abandoned the renovations that primarily consisted of a new bathroom addition to the basement for approximately $20,000.
A: Yes, he can. If you have a dispute with a landlord you are permitted to withhold rent, but you must do so properly. You must place the money in escrow. You cannot simply not pay. If you did not, the landlord may have some ammunition in a lawsuit, even if he too failed to live up to the terms of the lease.
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