Does The Landlord Have To Replace The Bathtub? (Find Out Now!)

If you have rented or leased a residence long enough, then you have likely encountered the question of tenant versus landlord responsibility. When does the landlord have the obligation to fix and repair items? These questions can include items, such as doors and windows to appliances and household fixtures. Another common area in question is the bathroom, and does the landlord have to replace the bathtub?

The law, in most circumstances, requires the landlord to replace the bathtub. Landlords are obligated to maintain an inhabitable place of residence. Tenants are required to inform the landlord of the problem. Using certified mail is advised and is recognized by the law as evidence of notification. Additionally, tenants have options if the landlord is not making the necessary repairs or replacements.

The crux of the issue and at the heart of the question is what defines a bathtub as uninhabitable. Here is also where the matter can get gray. As a rule of thumb, if a bathtub doesn’t pose a clear risk to our health, then being dirty or stained likely won’t warrant a replacement bathtub. When the bathtub doesn’t hold water of the faucet isn’t working, it renders a bathtub unusable.

While the onus of replacing a bathtub falls squarely on the shoulders of the landlord, the tenant does have a role. First and foremost, the landlord can only be held responsible for repairs they know about. In other words, the tenant can’t put rent funds in escrow (we will discuss that momentarily) without giving the landlord ample opportunity to fix the problem.

That simply means the tenant needs to inform the landlord of the issue. In the court of law, the most recognized form of notification in these cases is certified mail. That is why tenants should notify landlords via this method. Certified mail also establishes a verifiable timeline, an essential element of the problem.

Tenants can take action if the landlord is properly notified and a verifiable method of contact is used. If following these channels goes without response or resolution from the landlord, tenants have a few options.

In many states, after efforts made to get problems fixed go unanswered, tenants have a legal right to vacate the premise without recourse. Although this is never an ideal solution or desired resolution, sometimes desperate means call for desperate measures.

In most cases, whenever the residence is deemed to be uninhabitable, it violates landlord-tenant law. On that premise, courts historically favor tenant claims. Like it is with any decision involving the legalities of the tenant-landlord relationship, learning the laws that govern your state is a good idea. It is also worth noting here that the rental contract is a good place to find valuable information regarding many tenant-landlord situations.

If the problem, however, is the need for a working bathtub, the headache may not be worth the effort. And simply buying a new bathtub could save considerable grief, time, and discomfort.

The cost of a new bathtub can cost as little as $200 and well over $1000 for the most elaborate types of bathtubs. With the relative affordability of bathtubs today, it is also easier to justify remedying the problem ourselves. Many variables go into the cost of bathtubs, such as size and material. 30″W x 60″ L fiberglass-based bathtubs rank among the most common and affordable.

If a landlord is unresponsive, slow to respond, or simply refuses to help, this might be about more than the need for a bathtub too. The good news is that tenants have options and can protect their rights following the right processes and steps.