Entry & Repairs Resource Center

Can my landlord come into my apartment whenever they feel like it?

My landlord keeps saying they will fix broken things in the house but never gets around to it. Can I withhold my rent until things are fixed?

I have a list of repairs that I want done on my apartment. Is it okay for me to go ahead and do and pay for the repairs and then deduct that amount from my rent?

Can my landlord come into my apartment whenever they feel like it?
Generally, reasonable notice should be given unless there is an emergency. Reasonable notice is usually defined as 24 hours. However, unless it is specifically stated in the lease, there is no specific time period that the landlord must give to come into their property. This is something that the landlord and the tenant should work out together. [back to top]

My landlord keeps saying they will fix broken things in the house but never gets around to it. Can I withhold my rent until things are fixed?
No, the duty of the tenant to pay rent does not depend on the landlord's duty to maintain the premises. You can get evicted for not paying rent. You can negotiate with the landlord over when things will be fixed, possible compensation for the inconvenience, or that you have not received what you are paying rent for. If you are not comfortable with or are unable to negotiate in person or over the phone, another option is to write a letter.

The letter should clearly state the problem you would like fixed, the time frame for fixing it, and any help you can provide to make that happen (i.e. when the unit will be available for repair people to get in, etc.). If the landlord is not responsive to requests for maintenance or repairs, you may want to check with an attorney for other options or call the Housing Inspection Office (if the property is located in the City of Boulder) to see if the maintenance issue falls under city housing codes. The phone number for the Housing Inspection Office is (303) 441-3152.

If you have other questions or would like to speak with someone in person about a particular problem or issue, please call the Community Mediation Service at (303) 441-4364. The Community Mediation Service provides information on tenant/landlord, neighbor/neighbor, and roommate issues, and can provide low fee mediation services for disputes in the above areas for people who live in the City of Boulder. Because the Community Mediation Service is a City of Boulder office and funded exclusively by the citizens of Boulder, mediation services cannot be provided to people who live outside the city limits. [back to top]

I have a list of repairs that I want done on my apartment. Is it OK for me to go ahead and pay for the repairs and then deduct that amount from my rent?
No. You can not make repairs and deduct without the permission of the landlord.

SECURITY DEPOSITS (from the Landlord/Tenant Handbook) [back to top]

LINKS:
Frequently asked Questions about landlord/tenant relationships
Repairs and Maintenance (from the Landlord/Tenant Handbook)
Sample letter to request repairs
Sample letter to suggest mediation

Community Mediation Service
2160 Spruce Street
Boulder, CO 80301
303-441-4364

Last Updated on Wednesday, 15 August 2012 22:08