Rent Escrow

A renter may pay rent into a court escrow account and ask the court to order the owner to make repairs. The procedures for using the rent escrow option are complex and must be strictly followed. Typically, the renter must have contacted a housing inspector, as described above, and received a written report of housing violations. If there is neither a housing code nor an inspector in the area but the unit has so many serious problems that it is unlivable, the tenant must notify the landlord in writing and give the landlord 14 days to correct the problem. If the landlord fails to fix problems, the tenant can file a rent escrow action along with the inspector's report or a copy of written notice to the landlord. Once the rent is deposited with the court, the court schedules a hearing within 10 to 14 days. The landlord can begin eviction proceedings if the tenant does not deposit the full amount in escrow. After the hearing, if the court finds that a violation does exist, it has a variety of options, including ordering the landlord to fix the problem, allowing the renter to fix the problem and deduct the cost from rent, fining the landlord, and returning all, none, or part of the rent to the tenant.