WHAT IS RENT ESCROW?
Rent Escrow is the legal process by which you ask the local District Court (Rent Court) to allow you to pay your rent into a District Court escrow account instead of to your Landlord. That does not mean that you can simply withhold your rent! It is used when you have notified your Landlord (see Notice of Defect) of defects in your rental home that seriously threaten the health and safety of your family, but the Landlord has failed to correct the problem. The law does not cover repairs which are only cosmetic. It only covers dangerous defects such as: • chipping, peeling or flaking paint • no electricity • rodents • no hot or cold water • faulty plumbing • no heat • leaky roof or ceiling Rent Escrow can be a very effective way to get your Landlord to make necessary repairs because it denies your Landlord access to rent money until the repairs are made. It also will protect your rights as a tenant more then withholding rent without a court order. WHO CAN FILE A RENT ESCROW COMPLAINT? Any
