Is it illegal for a landlord to not respond?
Asked by: Mr. Richie Boehm | Last update: October 8, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (6 votes)
To be clear, tenants are on the hook for bringing any maintenance concerns to the landlord's attention. However, after that, the ball is in the landlord's court. If an unresponsive landlord fails to act, that's illegal.
What to do if your landlord isn't responding?
- Alerting state or local health and building inspectors.
- Suing your landlord in small claims court.
How long should I wait to hear back from a landlord?
After submitting your application, you'll likely hear back from the property manager or landlord within one to three business days. Sometimes, it goes quicker, and sometimes, it takes a week or longer. Ultimately, it depends on several factors.
What to do if a tenant is ignoring you?
Go knock on their door and ask to speak to the tenant. You may have to send the tenant a certified letter if the tenant isn't responding after that. If the tenant is still not responding and not paying their rent then you have to give them an eviction notice.
What happens if you don't hear from your landlord?
If the landlord simply doesn't show up AND doesn't send a representative, then unless he has made arrangements with the court due to some extreme issue (such as being hospitalized) the case is normally dismissed. In an extreme circumstance, the case might be rescheduled.
My landlord is not responding to my request to make repairs. What do I do?
Is it legal for a landlord to ignore you?
If the landlord does not respond to your complaint in a reasonable time, then seeking out legal help may be in order. What is a reasonable amount of time can vary depending on the issue and state or local law.
What is landlord neglect?
Under California law, landlords are required to adhere to the implied warranty of habitability, which ensures that rental properties meet basic health and safety standards. Examples of landlord negligence include: Ignoring critical repairs, such as broken plumbing or faulty electrical systems.
What to do if your tenant ghosts you?
Instead, advise your tenant to: Ask the ghost(s) to leave. Remind the ghost that they're not on the lease, haven't been making monthly rent payments, and can no longer haunt the space.
Can I sue tenant after eviction?
Yes you can sue them. If you are unable to collect, you can forgive the debt and send the IRS a 1099. They won't have to pay you but the IRS will consider that amount taxable, and they'll have to pay taxes on it. It's some petty revenge in cases where you know you won't ever get a dime.
Can you reject a tenant?
If a prospective tenant disagrees with key terms in your lease — such as the rent price, move-in date, length of tenancy, or other rental rules — you have the right to deny their application.
How do landlords know if you've been evicted?
Evictions usually appear on tenant background checks and are important in rental decisions. These checks often include eviction history, pulling data from sources like court records that document legal actions by previous landlords.
Can a landlord evict you over hearsay?
A: Hearsay is an out-of-court statement made for the truth of the matter asserted. To evict you, your landlord does not need to prove you are smoking marijuana. The fact that neighbors are complaining enough - regardless of their truth - can be enough to cause an eviction.
How long does a landlord have to give you?
Fixed-Term Leases and Notice Periods
If you don't intend to renew the lease, you must give notice to vacate. This must be in writing and delivered to the resident before the lease expires. In certain states like California, a 60-day notice is required if the resident has lived in the unit for at least a year.
What if my landlord is not answering my calls?
If your landlord has not done so and they are not responding to you then you can sue them. You can sue for up to $5k in small claims court in your state. You can do this by going to your local small claims court and filling out the complaint packet. You will then file it and serve it on the landlord.
Can a landlord make you pay rent early?
Definitely not. The terms of when rent is due — usually on the first of the month — are clearly laid out in your lease agreement. If your lease terms says rent is due on the first, then that's the law of the land (or at least, your apartment).
How do you respond to a rude landlord?
So, to protect yourself from a bad landlord, you may take legal actions against them. Collect some solid proofs like security camera recordings and notices in written form, file a complaint against the landlords and get an injunctive order from the court to stop the harassing behaviors.
Can a landlord sue a tenant for emotional distress?
The answer is Yes. You can sue a tenant for emotional distress only if the tenants actions are extreme, outrageous and cause serious mental suffering. However, it can be a complex and time-consuming process, and requires strong evidence to prove the claim.
Do I still owe rent after eviction?
After a tenant has been successfully evicted, the landlord will be awarded a judgment against the tenant and can take steps to collect unpaid rent. This may involve working with a collection agency or taking the tenant to small claims court.
How badly does an eviction hurt your credit?
Fortunately, an eviction itself won't appear on your credit report. However, if you've been evicted for non-payment of rent, the landlord will likely hire a collections company to pursue your debt. This collections account will appear on your credit report and hurt your credit score.
What to do if your tenant ignores you?
- Give Them the Benefit of the Doubt. Just because the tenant didn't return yesterday's text or phone message, don't jump to the conclusion that they're avoiding you. ...
- Document Your Calls. ...
- Send Registered Mail. ...
- Start the Eviction Process.
What is ghosting in a house?
Ghosting is a phenomenon where stains appear on walls and ceilings. They might look like straight streaks or lines that follow the framing of the building. Ghosting happens when air condenses on walls and ceilings where there are stark temperature differences.
What is a nightmare tenant?
Bad renters can be more than a nuisance and be a landlord's worst nightmare. Perhaps they never pay on time and it's always hard to get a hold of them when the rent is due, or your resident may be downright abusive and even destructive.
Is my landlord allowed to ignore me?
An unresponsive landlord might mean you may need to follow up a few times. But you might think, "My landlord keeps ignoring my phone calls!" In these situations, you may need to take legal action.
What is a bad landlord?
A bad landlord will put in as little effort as possible to get by, and many things like cleanliness or simple repairs will fall by the wayside. These issues could include cracks in the walls, worn paint, missing floor tiles, trash piling up, or evidence of pests.
Can a landlord go to jail for negligence?
In most cases, if a landlord's negligence leads to an unsafe condition on their property, the landlord generally won't be held criminally liable for resulting injuries or death. However, an exception may occur if the landlord's actions were especially egregious.