Q: Can texts or emails count as written notice or be used in legal proceedings for issues between landlords and tenants?
My landlord notified me about a leak in my closet two months ago. Over the course of two months, the closet has been in various states of disrepair (including a period of time where mold was exposed). I should mention I live in a studio and heavily rely on my closet for storage. Since I can't use it for storage, I have nowhere to put many belongings rendering me unable to live normally in my apartment. My landlord keeps telling me it will get fixed next week but it still hasn't and my apartment has become unhabitable. I'm trying to put pressure on my landlord to complete the necessary repairs as soon as possible, as it's now beyond a reasonable window for repairs. She'll also go for periods of time not responding to my texts, forcing me to speak to her in person. My goal is to have the repairs completed and to get a reduction in rent for the time that my apartment has been unhabitable.
A: In most cases, texts and emails are not considered proper legal notice for issues between landlords and tenants. While they can be used as evidence to demonstrate communication, they generally do not meet the legal requirements for official notice.
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