What action can a tenant take if the landlord fails to make necessary repairs?

What action can a tenant take if the landlord fails to make necessary repairs?

• A. Make repairs himself
• B. Have repairs done and deduct cost from rent
• C. Notify local authorities for intervention
• D. Terminate the lease immediately

Answer: (B)

When a landlord neglects to make necessary repairs, the tenant has the right to have those repairs completed and then deduct the costs from their rent. This approach is rooted in the legal concept of "repair and deduct." It is designed to encourage landlords to fulfill their obligations to maintain a habitable living environment. In many jurisdictions, including Hawaii, tenants may give the landlord a reasonable opportunity to address the repair issue before taking this action. If the landlord still fails to respond, the tenant can proceed to get the repairs done and subtract the cost from the following rent payment. This action serves as a way for tenants to protect their rights and ensure that their living conditions meet the standards stipulated in a lease agreement. Other options, while they may seem reasonable in some contexts, do not offer the same level of legal protections or consequences for the landlord. Making repairs without notifying the landlord or involving local authorities does not guarantee reimbursement. Simply notifying local authorities may help prompt action but does not resolve the immediate need for repairs. Terminating the lease immediately is more drastic and might require specific legal grounds under local landlord-tenant law, making it less straightforward than the repair and deduct remedy.

When a landlord neglects to make necessary repairs, the tenant has the right to have those repairs completed and then deduct the costs from their rent. This approach is rooted in the legal concept of "repair and deduct." It is designed to encourage landlords to fulfill their obligations to maintain a habitable living environment.

In many jurisdictions, including Hawaii, tenants may give the landlord a reasonable opportunity to address the repair issue before taking this action. If the landlord still fails to respond, the tenant can proceed to get the repairs done and subtract the cost from the following rent payment. This action serves as a way for tenants to protect their rights and ensure that their living conditions meet the standards stipulated in a lease agreement.

Other options, while they may seem reasonable in some contexts, do not offer the same level of legal protections or consequences for the landlord. Making repairs without notifying the landlord or involving local authorities does not guarantee reimbursement. Simply notifying local authorities may help prompt action but does not resolve the immediate need for repairs. Terminating the lease immediately is more drastic and might require specific legal grounds under local landlord-tenant law, making it less straightforward than the repair and deduct remedy.