Q: Is my landlord responsible for lawn maintenance and repairs?
I have been in the home 8 years and have been paying $85 a month for lawn maintenance and as well have paid for many repairs as Ac and screen enclosure damaged due to past hurricane and the landlord was well aware of it and told me a few times his Repair man will be free to do repairs up to two weeks later,living in south Florida 2 weeks is a very long time without Ac so i repaired it my self 3 times.The lease states he is responsible for repairs and maintenance and has been the same lease for 8 years.Now due to pandemic i have become behind on my rent but am making every attempt to pay as often and as much as I can and he has refused to even lower the rent by $1 as he does not have to,but is now proceeding with eviction even though im trying and will be paid up to date in possibly a months time.I keep reminding him that I believe I am owed for repairs and 8 years of lawn maintenance at $85 a month.Being a paraplegic I cannot mow the lawn.Am I able to counter sue to be reimbursed?
A: Unless your lease requires him to provide AC, he is not required to fix your AC when it goes out. You have no right to fix things on your own without his written permission and then expect to be reimbursed. Same thing with the lawn. If the lease requires you to maintain the lawn, you have no reason to be reimbursed. If lawn maintenance is his responsibility, then you have no right to hire someone to take care of it. You should take your lease to a local.attorney to see if he or sbe can help you.
A: You should present you claims to the court when they serve you in the eviction proceeding.
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