If the landlord still does not make the repairs after you write a letter or call the inspector, file a Rent Escrow action. This means you pay your rent to the court to start a case against the landlord. The case is to get a court to order repairs. You can also use the case to make your landlord follow the things in your lease if they have been violated. You can file one if:
- It has been 14 days since you sent the landlord a letter about repairs and/or other lease violations by your landlord or
- A deadline given by housing inspectors has passed or the housing inspector gave the landlord too much time to make repairs.
If you have low income, call your legal aid office at 1-(877) 696-6529. They can represent you, refer you to another agency, or give you advice. Find other programs that can help too at: http://www.lawhelpmn.org/providers-and-clinics. If you can’t get a lawyer, you can do it yourself.
Until you file your Rent Escrow action, pay your rent to the landlord as soon as the rent is due. If you do not pay, your landlord can file an eviction against you. You may have defenses because of the repair problems, but it is better and safer to use a Rent Escrow action than to defend an eviction.