Am I entitled to a written lease?

Communicate in Writing

You should state in writing what needs to be fixed and give a copy of that to your landlord in person or by certified mail with return receipt requested. The amount of time you must give your landlord to fix the problem depends on the repairs needed and the type of housing in which you live.

If you are renting your unit, your notice should state that your landlord has 10 days to make the repair.
If you are renting your unit and the needed repair affects your health and safety, the notice must only give the landlord 5 days to make the repair.
If an essential service, like heating, air conditioning/cooling, water, or hot water stops, you just need to give your landlord a reasonable amount of time to make the repairs.
If you own your mobile home and rent the space on which it sits, your notice should state that your landlord has 14 days to make the repair.
If you own your mobile home and rent the space on which it sits, and the needed repair affects your health and safety, your notice should state that your landlord has 10 days to make the repair.

Do Not Stop Paying Rent or Deduct Rent

You are required to pay rent even if the landlord refuses to fix items in your apartment. Many tenants mistakenly believe they can stop paying rent when something needs to be fixed but then face eviction proceedings for non-payment of rent!

Always make sure you can prove that you gave your landlord notice to make the repairs. Keep a copy of your request for repairs and ask an impartial witness to watch you give the request to the landlord, or mail the request by certified mail with return receipt requested.

Please watch the video entitled "What Can a Tenant Do? My Landlord Is Not Following the Lease" for more information about possible options for residential, mobile home, and RV tenants.