What to do if your landlord doesn't answer you?

Asked by: Dr. Jane Walker  |  Last update: June 24, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (18 votes)

If a landlord does not respond to problems or maintenance requests, document each attempt to contact them and make a Complaint to Landlord to send via certified mail or other trackable method. If the landlord does not respond to your complaint in a reasonable time, then seeking out legal help may be in order.

What to do if your landlord isn't responding?

If your landlord still doesn't respond, and your problem is urgent, you could report it to your state housing agency. Finally, as a last resort, some local laws may let you withhold your rent or use some of it to pay for repairs.

Is it legal for your landlord to ignore you?

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.

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 when your property manager ignores you?

If they are ignoring you for something such as maintenance requests of the property if they are responsible for such, you should contact an attorney or look into filing suit in court for repair and remedy. You'd definitely want an attorney but may be able to handle it on your own.

What to do if landlord won't fix problems

28 related questions found

What is the unethical behavior of a property manager?

Ethical or Legal Concerns

Property managers who discriminate against tenants, ignore legal responsibilities or engage in other questionable behaviors not only put themselves at risk but also expose property owners to potential legal consequences.

What to do if your manager is ignoring you?

  1. 1 Identify the root cause. Before you assume that your boss is ignoring you or doesn't care about your work, try to understand why they are unresponsive. ...
  2. 2 Use multiple channels. ...
  3. 3 Schedule regular meetings. ...
  4. 4 Prioritize your requests. ...
  5. 5 Escalate if necessary. ...
  6. 6 Here's what else to consider.

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.

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.

Can a landlord evict you for being rude?

Landlords may initiate eviction proceedings against tenants who engage in harassment, leading to potential loss of housing and associated costs.

What to do if your tenant ignores you?

What to Do If Your Tenant Shuts Off Communication
  1. 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. ...
  2. Document Your Calls. ...
  3. Send Registered Mail. ...
  4. Start the Eviction Process.

What happens if you don't hear from your landlord?

“My landlord is ignoring me!”

If you don't hear back — and you've texted and emailed them — it may be time to prepare for a possible court date. Your text or email will document when you asked for the repair, but it may not count as “written notice” in your state. Some states require a letter to be sent in the mail.

Can a landlord refuse late rent?

There are many instances in which a landlord can legally refuse rent payments, including partial payments and late payments. Some jurisdictions even advise landlords to refuse rent payments when they are in the midst of an eviction.

Are landlords notified when police are called?

No, the police would have no reason or obligation to provide any reports to the landlord. Some leases have provisions in them regarding visits by law enforcement, but that still wouldn't mean the landlord has any access to the police report.

Can a landlord evict you for lying?

If a Landlord discovers that during the lease the Tenant was not forthcoming or lied on the application, they may proceed with eviction.

Can I be evicted for suing my landlord?

While it's certainly possible that a landlord might take retaliatory action during a claim, the good news for tenants is that both state and federal laws make retaliatory conduct, including evictions, illegal.

Is there a way to get around an eviction?

You have the right to file a written answer explaining to the court why you should not be evicted. If you don't have a lawyer yet, you can file an answer on your own. Explain your situation and what you are doing to try and find help. Describe what your landlord has or hasn't done to get rental assistance funds.

Does eviction affect credit score?

To start, no, an eviction itself won't show up on your credit report. However, if the eviction is due to defaulted mortgage or rent payments, and your lender or landlord sends the debt to collections, the collections account may appear on your credit report and have an impact on your credit score.

How many lease violations before eviction?

From unruly behavior to consistent late rent payments, lease violations can escalate to eviction. But here's the kicker: There's no magic number of infractions that automatically triggers eviction.

What is quiet firing?

Quiet Firing, or silent firing, is a subtle practice where employers discretely encourage employees to resign. Unsuprisingly, this trend of subtly disengaging employees until they finally quit is doing a number on employee engagement and company culture.

How to deal with being ignored?

Stay calm, don't take it personally, and try to understand the reason behind their behavior. It's essential to communicate your feelings openly and honestly. If they continue to ignore you, focus on your well-being and consider seeking support from other friends or family members.

What to do if manager is not responding?

Direct communication is key. If emails aren't working, try a more personal approach: a phone call or a face-to-face meeting. It shows initiative and respect for their time. If that's not possible, reaching out to HR or a mutual contact for advice can be effective.