What is a tenant supposed to do if they cannot contact their landlord regarding rent/repairs?
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What is a tenant supposed to do if they cannot contact their landlord regarding rent/repairs?
I have been renting a house for the past 22 months. I signed my lease agreement with a property management company. This month they returned my rent check. They informed me that their contract with the owner expired and they no longer manage the property. They claim the owner is now responsible. The owner has not contacted us. We have no one to take our rent or to call for repairs. Is he obligated to contact us within a certain amount of time?
Asked on July 10, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Missouri
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Okay so first you need to send a letter by certified mail return receipt requested to the management company chronicling the fact that you paid the rent on time and that they returned the check indicating that they do not represent or are the agent of the owner any longer. Indicate that they, however, signed the lease contract as the agent and until they provide you with the last known address of the owner or a new lease agreement is made, you intend on paying the rent in to court. Advise them of the repairs tat remain outstanding and that these repairs were outstanding during their management. Then go down to court and name them in an action and ask the court to allow you to pay the rent in to court until the repairs are done and a new lease is executed with the owner. Good luck.
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