LOL you guys are scaring me, I just went tonight and applied for my first apartment on my own. Every other place I have lived has been with someone else and I haven't had to worry about these kinds of things with the landlords.

oh my god dude where the hell are you living!?!? lol

my lil abuelita just moved in with us from a landlord hell moment. a huge gas leak and what did they do? instead of paying the man the fees to work over the weekend to get it fixed, he shut the gas off and told my grandma to leave at her own expense or live without gas for heat, hot water, or stove.

IN THE DEAD OF WINTER IN CENTRAL CALI!!!

trust me... he's gettin a letter from me.

SPEAK WITH AN ATTORNEY FIRST!!!! Seriously, Also depending on the county may have a Health and Safety department associated with Building and Safety. You can also speak with the local fire department and see what information they can provide you but SPEAK WITH AN ATTORNEY FIRST!
Can you say ILLEGAL EVICTION? That is Constructive Eviction and that is a term an attorney will know well! Seek out specialists in Landlord tenant rights!
That landlord owes some kind of damages. You have to play it right and do not let your mouth (metaphorically) write checks your *** can't cash. Put together the evidence, get professional inspections and legitimate contractors do have legal say as industry professionals, ALSO CALL THE LOCAL GAS COMPANY OF ALL PEOPLE. Since it was a gas leak they are knowledgeable about the law surrounding gas leaks. They can even provide a legal inspection. They are a wealth of information!

Sorry to hear so many slum-lord stories.

Always pays to do and extensive pre-move in inspection and having a serious lease signed which you keep current. Considering what places rent for it pays to learn your rights even if you have to take a class which are frequently available through continueing ed.

With the curent economy I would run not walk to the nearest HUD office and find out about any and all free home buying assistance programs that exist out there. You will be very pleasantly surprised.

Or at least get on the list for Habitat For Humanity houseing. It is truely awesome especially for disabled people on permenant disability. They will even help you mediate your current houseing issues and make needed repairs to bring it up from substandard conditions.

Please be advised that there are free non profit agencies that also give special assistance in finding quality rental placements. Older dependant or and elderly adults also have special protections under Title 20.

Keep meticulous records of what your expenses are. Don't be greedy. Document your health issues. Again don't be greedy because you have to prove they are directly caused by the ladlords actions or inactions. You can not turn off fans or drying heaters or close up the house to prevent theft of your valueables. You are really better to call someone to the scene to document the home was uninhabital. It is way better if this is a public offical or officer of the court. If a social worker orders a dependent adult moved for their safety and welfare it has way more teeth than a family member.