Trying to stop eviction because you are not making payments because of problems with your rental unit is a fairly common occurance.  Many tenants find themselves with no where to turn when it comes to getting the plumbing fixed, heating or air conditioning working or other living conditions that are substandard.  One of the more common ways to expedite having repairs made is to notify your landlord or property manager/owner that you are going to withhold your rent until adequate repairs are made to issues that you have been dealing with.

First you should sent them a certified letter, signature receipt required, advising them of the problems you have been having with your unit.  You should also have been documenting the phone calls, visits to the office and conversations you have had in an effort to resolve these problems.  This will come in handy if you end up in court as part of an eviction process where you can show that you have been trying to have problems corrected and took the actions you did in order to have the problems fixed.

Also in this letter you should advise them that you will be withholding rent until the repairs are made according to the lease agreement.  This is where it can get a little tricky.  Since each State has different laws regarding tenant rights and property owner rights, you should take a little time and check into the specifics in this area.  An eviction attorney would be good to check with and most offer a free first consultation that might be able to answer your questions and offer guidance to you.

Once you have delivered the letter, or had it delivered, you should attempt to contact the property manager again.  Advise them that you are willing to pay rent in full if the repairs are made in a timely manner.  Chances are they will threaten you with eviction.  Let them.  This will not bide well in a court before a judge that they are not willing to make the repairs according to the lease agreement that you have signed with them.  Be sure about what is their responsibility and what is yours.

There are many ways that you can stop an eviction process because of poor living conditions with your landlord.  Finding the right eviction attorneys or tenant rights lawyer is a good way to make sure that your rights and property is protected from wrongful evictions.