72 hours for repair of refrigerator, range and oven, or a major plumbing fixture supplied by landlord. 10 days for all other repairs. Your State law will determine your actual rights. A tenant can hire an attorney and go to court to force the landlord to make repairs. Or, if the landlord agrees, the dispute can be decided by an arbitration service.
Arbitration is usually less costly and quicker than going to court.
The tenant can hire someone to make the repairs. In many cases the tenant can have the work done and then deduct the cost from the rent. Before having any repairs made by a licensed or registered tradesperson if one is required, or any person capable of doing the work, the tenant must submit a good faith estimate to the landlord. To speed up the repair process, the estimate can be given to the landlord along with the original written notice of the problem. When the required waiting period has ended and the landlord has not begun repairs, the tenant can contract with the lowest bidder to have the work done.