Question

The heating system in a residential tenant's apartment in North Carolina has failed during very cold weather. The landlord has not made the necessary repair within a reasonable amount of time after having been properly notified of the problem. Given these circumstances, the tenant has the right to

Answer 1

In North Carolina, tenants may have the right to withhold rent, repair and deduct, or terminate the lease if the landlord fails to repair essential services like heating in a timely manner, following specific legal procedures.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the scenario where a tenant's heating system in North Carolina fails, and the landlord does not make repairs in a reasonable time after notification, the tenant has certain rights. Under North Carolina law, tenants may have the option to withhold rent, repair the issue and deduct the cost from rent, or terminate the lease in specific situations. It is essential for tenants to know that any action taken must be in line with state guidelines to avoid breaching the lease themselves.

It's important to note that there are potential consequences to landlords if they do not maintain their properties. For example, price ceilings can lead to lower quality housing as landlords may invest less in maintenance. This economic principle indicates that cheaper housing often comes with an opportunity cost, such as the failure to repair essential services like heating.