OT:Need answers Fast, please

ok i have a problem, we found out my yestarday that my trailer may have been struck by lightning. there is a half dollar size hole in my roof and when it rains it pours in. the hole is right above our braker box and our landlady wants to cover the hole with duc tape. we weren't able to live here for 2 weeks and we were just able to come back friday. when she was here yestarday with the insurance adjuster, sh answered my phone and got snotty with my FIL. I have been trying to find the laws on this but no luck yet. Am i obligated to pay rent? can she throw us out? can she lock us out? i don't know what to do and the rent is due on the 5th. I have pictures of the outside of my trailer is anyone wants to see the damage. In my last post i put the site for my photo album up but my trailer isn't in it. i do have more pics though. thanks angie

Sorry to hear, do you have renters insurance? If so call them and ask. I'm not sure about paying rent or being thrown out, if you have a renters lease contract read it. Good luck and keep us posted. Tammy

hey there, no we didn't have any insurance. we haven't been here long, maybe about 10 months and i never even thought to get it. i think she is going to try to jerk us around. i am just at a loss. angie

Your landlady can come in to your trailer with the insurance adjuster so long as you had prior notice, but she's NOT allowed to answer your phone!! It's like going through your private drawers - NOT allowed! If you intend to stay in the trailer, you're obligated to pay rent I do believe. If you intend to move, then you will need to get your stuff out of there pronto. You may want to consult a lawyer or something to find out what your rights are, as I sure wouldn't believe anything I say! I wish you good luck!! Jan

Angie, You can refuse to pay rent if she is not willing to make the repairs to the home. The law is that the rent must be paid to the state attorneys office and not her. If and when she tries to evict you, she will also go thru the state attorneys office and when they see you have paid the rent to them, because of the lack of repairs..............she will be required to make the repairs prior to being paid any money. It's something like that, we had to go thru something like this many years ago. I would just tell her don't answer my phone!!!!! She can't evict you for that, thats your personal property!!!! That would make me very angry. Good Luck let us know how ot goes! MICHELLE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF LAWYERS ADVERTISING TO HELP PEOPLE PROTECT THIER RIGHTS AFTER THE STORM. THEY SHOULD ATLEAST BE ABLE TO DIRECT YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

If your landlady doesn't fix the problem where you can stay in livable housing, you can withhold rent or contact authorities. Look on the site calle nolo.com just put a www. in front. They have all kinds of laws and statutes for the average people. Look down the left side and you will see tenant and landlord. It will help. Good luck. Carol

Angie, Call legal aid in your area and see what you can do. Since you pay rent, she has to provide a SAFE home for you and your family. A hole in the roof by a breaker box doesnt seem very safe to me. Good luck