Collinsville, IL asked in Real Estate Law for Missouri

Q: How do I determine if a rental property meets health and safety codes?

I just signed a lease for an apartment and was set to move in this weekend, but found that it was a) left in a filthy state by the previous tenant (dirt and grime caked to the floor, dog hair, etc) and had enough cockroaches that the cleaning service I hired wouldn't clean due to sanitation concerns. My landlord has been nearly impossible to reach, continually saying he'll "look into it and call me back in a few hours" but then neglecting to do so. My lease on my current apartment ends soon but I'm not comfortable moving into this new property in the state that it's in. What can I do?

Related Topics:
2 Lawyer Answers
Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
Answered
  • Chesterfield, MO
  • Licensed in Missouri

A: You determine if it meets any codes by identifying the codes and checking with the governing authorities that enforce such codes.

Jennifer Sheila Kornblum
Jennifer Sheila Kornblum
Answered
  • Springfield, MO
  • Licensed in Missouri

A: Your issue deals more with the habitability of your apartment than health and safety codes. The landlord owes you a habitable living space. That requires just basic living conditions including heating. An infestation is considered a violation of the implied warranty of habitability in every lease. One remedy you have is to repair the problem yourself and deduct the cost from rent. Make sure you make any notifications concerning the condition of the property to the landlord in writing.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.