Why You Should Always Put Maintenance Requests in Writing
Key Takeaways:
- Putting maintenance requests in writing proves your landlord was notified about unsafe conditions.
- Written repair requests can strengthen your position if you’re injured or forced to break your lease due to unresolved hazards.
- A documented paper trail can help show your landlord knew about a dangerous condition but failed to fix it.
- While written requests are helpful, you can still be entitled to compensation in a premises liability lawsuit without them.
You likely don’t communicate in writing that often, unless it’s a text message. When talking to your landlord about potential repairs, though, it may be the best way to go. A quick phone call or a chat in the hallway may seem like the fastest way to get the work done, but it’s not necessarily your best option.
Why Should You Put Your Maintenance Requests in Writing?
Putting maintenance requests in writing creates a record showing that the landlord was notified about the problem.
If repairs are not made and someone is injured, that written notice can be important evidence in a premises liability claim.
In fact, some experts recommend sending your repair requests by certified mail. This way, your landlord can never say that the letter didn’t arrive. It makes your paper trail even stronger than just keeping a copy of the letter for yourself (though you should do that, as well).
How Written Requests Can Protect You
The paper trail is important for numerous reasons. If the repairs never happen and you finally decide to break your lease, they give you the stronger legal position if your landlord tries to come after you in court. You can show that he or she was negligent and forced you to live in an unsafe home or apartment, making it imperative that you break the lease for your own safety.
Naturally, the paper trail also helps if you are injured. For example:
- A loose railing that was never repaired causes a fall.
- Faulty wiring that was never fixed leads to a fire.
- Broken steps, railings, or flooring that creates unsafe conditions.
Your landlord may try to claim that he or she had no idea there was ever a danger. But if you can show that you actually alerted the landlord to the risks well before the accident, it strengthens your position when seeking compensation.
Legal Options After an Injury on a Rental Property
You could be facing high medical costs after an accident, and it’s crucial that you know all of the legal options that you have.
In some cases, landlords can be held responsible when they fail to fix known hazards or ignore repair requests that create unsafe living conditions. Written maintenance requests can help show the landlord was aware of the problem but failed to take reasonable steps to correct it.
Even without written documentation, you may still have a case to sue your landlord. That’s why it’s in your best interest to speak with an attorney who understands premises liability laws.
Get a free consultation from our team here at Satterley Kelley. Contact our office at 502-589-5600 or toll-free at 855-385-9532. You can also contact us online to get started.