What are the legal obligations of a landlord when dealing with a tenant’s complaint?
In the District of Columbia, a landlord has certain legal obligations when dealing with a tenant’s complaints. These include: 1. Providing a safe and habitable dwelling. The landlord must ensure that the rental property is free of any health or safety hazards, and that it is structurally sound, properly ventilated, heated, and properly maintained. 2. Making repairs in a timely manner. A landlord must make necessary repairs in a timely manner when requested by the tenant. This includes plumbing, electrical, and gas systems, as well as any other structural, heating, or ventilation issue the tenant reports. 3. Properly responding to complaints. If a tenant makes a complaint, the landlord must respond in a reasonable amount of time and take the necessary steps to investigate the complaint. 4. Maintaining the premise. The landlord is legally obligated to make sure the premises is clean and in good condition, free of hazards and vermin and that all necessary facilities, like locks and hot water, are in working order. Overall, a landlord must respond to tenant complaints in a timely manner and take the necessary steps to investigate and resolve them. Legal action may be possible if a landlord fails to take action or violates any of the legal obligations above.
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