Rent escrow is a legal action which would allow the resident to pay the rent into an account set up by the court instead of paying rent directly to the owner. In rent escrow cases such as this, a resident will be required to prove that the owner was aware of the conditions, that they were a danger to life, safety or health, that the owner had an opportunity to make the necessary repairs, but did not do so. If there are repairs that need to be done, discuss them with the owner and request that they be fixed prior to the move-in date. It's best to have a commitment to repair in writing. If the rental agreement is a week to week arrangement, then a one-week written notice given prior to the rent due date would be required.
Retaliation can mean an arbitrary increase in rent, a notice to vacate or a decrease in services.
The ability to prove that prior to the retaliation, the resident was in good standing in regard to rent payments and house rules and regulations is an important aspect of a retaliatory action. Always be sure that you fully understand what utilities or extra costs are not included in the rent. Shared living or group house arrangements are common in Takoma Park and provide an economical alternative to renting an apartment. Below are some questions that you should consider when moving into any type of shared living arrangement so that no misunderstandings arise. Ask for an average cost.