Summary
In Kentucky, landlords are legally obligated to provide habitable housing, including functioning AC. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs within 14 days of citation, tenants may have the right to withhold rent or repair and deduct. Send a certified letter to your landlord stating your intentions and proceed accordingly.Full Conversation
my landlord won’t fix the air conditioner
What state are you currently residing in, ****? This will help me provide you with the specific tenant laws applicable to your situation.
Kentucky
What steps have you taken so far to address this issue with your landlord?
In Kentucky, landlords are required to maintain fit and habitable premises, which includes providing and maintaining appropriate heating and cooling systems.
contacted by text message and reported the problem to code enforcement
What was the response from the code enforcement after you reported the problem?
In Kentucky, landlords are legally obligated to provide habitable housing, including functioning AC.
After 14 days, the enforcement officer cited the property
What was the citation for? This will help determine the next steps. In Kentucky, if a landlord fails to make necessary repairs, tenants may have the right to withhold rent or "repair and deduct".
a broken air conditioner unit
What was your landlord's response after the property was cited by the enforcement officer?
In Kentucky, landlords must make necessary repairs within 14 days of citation. If not, tenants can withhold rent or "repair and deduct".
no response
What date was the citation issued? In Kentucky, if the landlord doesn't make necessary repairs within 14 days of citation, tenants can withhold rent or "repair and deduct".
July * *
What is the current date? This will help determine if the *-day period for your landlord to make repairs has passed.
July * *
Since it's only been 3 days since the citation was issued, your landlord still has time to make the necessary repairs. If they don't, you may have the right to withhold rent or "repair and deduct".
Im sorry. The property was sited on July * *
Since the citation was issued on July *, *, and it's now July *, *, you may have the right to withhold rent or "repair and deduct" in Kentucky.
ok… so how do I begin the process
Have you informed your landlord in writing about your intention to withhold rent or "repair and deduct"?
not yet… how do I do that?
You should send a certified letter to your landlord stating your intentions. Keep a copy for your records. If no response, you may proceed with "repair and deduct".
ok… thank you
You're welcome, ****. If you need further assistance, feel free to ask.