The Repair Run-Around.
As renters who’d just moved to Ardmore, years ago, we got lucky. Our landlord lived in the upstairs apartment, so when our place needed a repair he was easy to find!
But what if you rent and can’t get the landlord to fix things? Good news: the city has a new way to get the repairs that state and local laws require! More on that below. Here’s how to get a landlord to respond:
- Written repair request: do keep a record/copy.
- Call the City’s Code Enforcement office, which handles housing code violations. Call City Link at 311 from a smartphone or call 336-727-8000. (Add to your Contacts!) Or use the app “CityLink 311.”
- Use a new system, at https://www.cityofws.org/3420/Report-Code-Violations-Online Just create an account and report the violation. You can upload photos and track the report as it goes through code enforcement.
- Contact Legal Aid to see if you’re eligible for free representation. Toll-Free: 1-866-219-5262. https://legalaidnc.org/
- Call the NC Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service. It provides a thirty-minute consultation for $50. 919-677-8574 www.ncbar.org/public-resources/find-an-nc-lawyer
- Check out the Ardmore Neighborhood Association’s information about housing laws under Tenants’ Resources at https://ardmore.ws/resources. You’ll find this article there, too.
