 |
Vermont Tenants, Inc. |
Using Your Right to "Repair and Deduct"
for Minor Repair Problems
A TENANT Information Sheet PRODUCED
BY VERMONT TENANTS, INC./CVOEO
Click Here to Download (PDF) View the Form Letter
Download the free
Adobe Reader
application here
Please Note: Repair and deduct is not a legal option if a problem was deliberately or negligently caused by a tenant or a guest of a tenant.
If an apartment has minor problems that need to be fixed (assuming they are a landlord's responsibility, e.g. leaky sinks, broken windows, faulty appliances), or if any material provision of a lease is not getting done, a tenant may take the following actions in the following order:
1. Notify their landlord of the problem (preferably in writing). VTI has form letters for this purpose.
2. Wait for 30 days*
3. After 30 days and if the cost of the repair is no more than half of one month's rent:
a. get the problem fixed (for a reasonable price);**
b. deduct the reasonable cost from next rent payment;
c. send notice of the cost (copies of bills, receipts, etc.) with the remainder of the rent for the next rental period.
*during this 30 day period, it might be a good idea to get an estimate to see how much the problem will cost to remedy.
**You can fix the problem yourself if you have the ability, and then deduct from the rent the cost of materials and a reasonable amount of labor cost.
If you have any questions, please contact Vermont Tenants Inc. at 864-0099.
NOTE: This document is intended to serve as a general guide to tenants and does not constitute a legal opinion or legal advice regarding any specific situation.
Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity