Here's the link to : Housing, Building and Construction Inspections

Again I should have said Telephone wiring is what they are exempt from.

http://kentucky.gov/Portal/FollowLink/hbc_hbcsite

Phoenix: The link you gave doesn't work for me. Could you cut and paste the applicable part(s). TIA

quote:

Originally posted by French Toast:
Phoenix: The link you gave doesn't work for me. Could you cut and paste the applicable part(s). TIA

Tenant - Landlord Rights & Responsibilities
Authored by: KyCARES
Consumer Protection Division, Office of the Attorney General
Protecting Kentucky's Consumers and Businesses
Rental Housing


Contents:

The Lease . . .
The Security Deposit . . .
Guidelines to Avoid Problems . . .
Tennant Responsibilities . . .
Moving . . .
Eviction . . .
Right of Entry . . .
Subletting. . .
Discrimination . . .


THE LEASE

A lease is a binding, legal agreement. It usually spells out the obligations of a landlord and a tenant to one another. Although the lease may limit you in some ways, it can offer protection you would otherwise not have. Insist on a written lease. Read the lease carefully and do not sign it until you fully understand all obligations.

The lease should contain a description of the premises; the length of time the lease is to be in effect; the name and address of the landlord or owner and who receives legal notices on his/her behalf; the amount of the rent, it's due date, where it should be paid and any associated late charges; termination requirements; the landlord's rules and regulations; and responsibilities for utility payments.

THE SECURITY DEPOSIT

The security deposit serves as insurance to the landlord that the unit will be inhabited for a set period of time. Usually, it serves as a damage deposit too. Before paying a deposit, which sometimes equals one or two month's rent, ask the person in charge:

* the exact amount of the deposit
* the purpose of the deposit
* what conditions will effect its refund
* when the refund will be made.

GUIDELINES TO AVOID PROBLEMS

The following is a list of five basic guidelines to help avoid problem areas renters sometimes encounter:

1. Know the rental situation before you sign. Ask who will be responsible for repairs. Find out how and where to contact that person, day or night. Be aware of any rules on painting and papering walls, hanging pictures, allowing pets and noise restrictions.
2. Read the lease carefully. Some contracts may limit your rights under state law. Ask questions before you sign. Make changes if necessary (and if possible) and have the landlord initial the changes along with your own initials. Keep copies in a safe place. Do not rely on verbal promises.
3. Before renting, you and your landlord should inspect the apartment/house together. Take pictures and/or make a checklist of all pre-existing damages and poor conditions which could later be charged to you. Both of you should sign and date the checklist and you each should keep a copy. If your landlord will not agree to this, have another person perform this job and have the list notarized. The return of your security deposit could depend on having an accurate checklist.
4. Try to maintain good relations with your landlord. Before reporting problems to authorities, discuss them with the landlord. If he/she will not help you, at least you have tried to cooperate and improve the situation on your own.
5. Report problems immediately to the landlord or manager. Minor problems are repaired more easily before they become major ones. In addition, the sooner problems are acknowledged, the less time you should have to live with them. Remember to keep accurate records.

TENANT RESPONSIBILITIES

As a tenant of rental property, you have some basic responsibilities to:

* pay rent on time
* abide by the landlord's rules and regulations
* keep your unit as clean and safe as possible
* not damage or remove parts of the property;respect your neighbors' rights to peace and quiet.

MOVING

Always give the landlord written notice of your plans to move. Follow the requirements stated in the lease. If you have no lease, or if it states no requirement, give 30 days written notice if you pay monthly and seven days written notice if you pay weekly.

The landlord may have the right to keep your security deposit, depending on the terms of the lease. He/she may also have the right to demand that you make future rent payments due under the lease. The landlord has these options, if it is stated in the lease.

EVICTION

Remember that withholding your rent can be considered nonpayment and may subject you to eviction. If you fail to pay rent on time or break any rules of the landlord or provision of the lease, the landlord can go to court and may get an eviction notice.

The landlord must inform you first of this intention. If you receive an eviction notice, consult an attorney immediately. You may go to court and explain your situation. If you have not lived up to the lease and/or have not paid your rent on time, you probably will not be allowed to remain in the apartment/house. The landlord cannot, however, remove your possessions without a court order.

RIGHT TO ENTRY

Your landlord has the right to enter your apartment/house for several reasons. They are:

* to make repairs
* to provide maintenance
* to show the property to prospective renters or buyers

Since you occupy the premises, you have a right to privacy. The landlord should come at times convenient to you.

SUBLETTING

Many leases forbid you from subletting. To sublet is to allow someone else to occupy your apartment and pay rent while you are bound by the terms of a lease. If you are able to sublet and wish to, you may be responsible if the person you sublet to doesn't pay the rent or damages the property.

DISCRIMINATION

You cannot be denied housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap, or familial status. However, there are some exceptions. You may contact the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights for more information.

The U.S. Office of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers the following signs of possible discrimination:

* You are told the unit you wish to rent is not available when it really is.
* You are offered different rental terms or conditions from those offered someone else.
* You are being directed to rent in a particular neighborhood in order to keep people of your particular race, color, religion, sex, or national origin from obtaining a unit in a certain area.

If you feel you have been discriminated against, call HUD's toll-free number 1-800-669-9777; or call the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights at 1-800-292-5566. These agencies can assist you in filing a complaint.

For more information concerning rental property or to file a landlord/tenant complaint contact:

Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
1024 Capital Center Drive
Frankfort, KY 40601

or call (502) 696-5389

Consumer Resources Page

Consumer Protection Division
1024 Capital Center Drive, Suite 200
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
(502) 696-5389
For more information, please contact us at the address above.
Start over

http://kycares.ky.gov/needsassessment/tipsheet.asp?tipid=1714

Thanks for the post, Phoenix. I Yahoo'd telephone wiring responsibility and the information I get is mixed. Some sources seem to state that since telephone wiring is permanently affixed to the real property (the building), it is the landlord's responsibility. Other sources state that it depends on the lease. One source stated that California landlords are responsible for providing and maintaining one working phone jack. I'm not sure if Kentucky puts any such requirement upon landlords.

I may once again offer to take a look at her phone wiring. I've wired a lot of apartments and I've rewired my home (for phone service). She's seems to be determined to get her landlord to fix the problem and I may seem 'unsupportive' if I offer to fix the wiring myself. I don't want to anger the lady!

quote:

Originally posted by French Toast:
Thanks for the post, Phoenix. I Yahoo'd telephone wiring responsibility and the information I get is mixed. Some sources seem to state that since telephone wiring is permanently affixed to the real property (the building), it is the landlord's responsibility. Other sources state that it depends on the lease. One source stated that California landlords are responsible for providing and maintaining one working phone jack. I'm not sure if Kentucky puts any such requirement upon landlords.

I may once again offer to take a look at her phone wiring. I've wired a lot of apartments and I've rewired my home (for phone service). She's seems to be determined to get her landlord to fix the problem and I may seem 'unsupportive' if I offer to fix the wiring myself. I don't want to anger the lady!

Here are the building codes for Jefferson County
and It does not cover Telephone Lines.....Sorry But if she have any other problems I'm giving you the full Property Maintenance Code Manual at the below web site..

REQUIREMENTS
§ 156.050 GENERALLY.

1. Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall govern the minimum conditions and the responsibilities of persons for maintenance of structures., equipment and exterior property.
2. Responsibility. The owner of the premises shall maintain the structures and exterior property in compliance with these requirements, except as otherwise provided for in this chapter. A person shall not occupy as owner-occupant or permit another person to occupy premises which are not in a sanitary and safe condition and which do not comply with the requirements of this chapter. Occupants of a dwelling unit are responsible for keeping in a clean, sanitary and safe condition that part of the dwelling unit or premises, which they occupy and control.
3. Vacant structures and land. All vacant structures and premises thereof or vacant land shall be maintained in a clean, safe, secure and sanitary condition as provided herein so as not to cause a blighting problem or adversely affect the public health or safety.

(Jeff. Ord. 37-2002, adopted and effective 11-12-2002)

http://www.louisvilleky.gov/ipl/PropertyMaintenance/PM-PMC.htm#050