Q: Can I withhold my rent from my landlord for a water leak? Which started 8days ago.
I identified the leak on 23 Jan, 24 jan woke up to no water for the first half of the AM. Contacted the property manager (PM) 25Jan and water dept. Water dept confirmed a leak. 25Jan let PM know there is a leak an my water pressure is very low . They schedule a plumber for 28Jan. They send someone out 26Jan only to reconfirm a leak an give me a tool to manually cut my water on and off outside. I inform the PM that's no fixing the fact my shower just drizzles out water as well as all the faucets in the house. So now I have to drive my son and I to my office to wash in the AM/PM(14miles one way).I ask what's the backup if the plumber cannot fix the issue 28Jan. PM messaged they will get back to me. It is 30 Jan and no one has contacted me. However in the maintenance que I see repair work scheduled for 02 Feb. I sent a message saying this is unacceptable an no response. So I have to continue to drive to my office to shower because I have an inadequate water source in this house.
A: In NC the duty to pay rent is separate from the landlord's duty to repair. You still need to pay rent, and you need to sue the landlord to get a reduced rate for the time the leak was present.
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