Repairs

The good news: Landlords are required to provide the basic maintenance to keep the apartment in habitable condition.

The bad news: The law does not provide tenants with the right to a perfect apartment.

Landlords in the State College area largely try to keep their properties in good condition and will repair damages as problems occur. Some leases even require that you report certain repair needs to your landlord in a timely manner, especially those that might cause more damage by waiting (like water leaks).

Here's what to do if something in your apartment needs to be repaired:

• Check your lease to see if your landlord has a procedure for reporting repairs
• Submit the repair request in writing to the landlord or property manager
• Allow the landlord a reasonable time to fix the problem before following up

What not to do:

• Don't ignore repair needs until you move out. The landlord is almost guaranteed to charge you for a repair if you never reported it during the lease term.
• Don't ignore repair needs that could cause further damage. If you don't report a running toilet, for example, your landlord might charge you for the excessive water bill it caused.

This article was created by a collaborative group of attorneys, landlords, students, and public officials and was originally published on the Model Lease Project website at lionslease.com.