Legal Definitions - tenantable repair

Tenantable repair refers to a repair that is necessary to make a rented property suitable and safe for someone to live in immediately. It ensures that the premises meet fundamental standards of habitability, meaning they are fit for human occupation and provide basic shelter and safety.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: Broken Heating System in Winter

  Imagine a tenant living in an apartment in a region with cold winters. If the building's central heating system malfunctions and stops providing heat during December, repairing the furnace or heating unit would be considered a tenantable repair. Without adequate heating, the apartment becomes dangerously cold and unsuitable for habitation, directly impacting the tenant's health and safety. The repair is essential to restore the property to a livable condition.

• Example 2: Significant Roof Leak

  Consider a rented house where a severe storm causes a large section of the roof to leak significantly, resulting in water pouring into a bedroom and the living room. Fixing this roof damage is a tenantable repair. The leak compromises the structural integrity of the home, can damage personal property, create slip hazards, and lead to mold growth, making parts of the house unsafe and unhealthy to occupy. The repair is crucial for maintaining the property's basic function as a safe shelter.

• Example 3: Non-Functional Plumbing

  Suppose a tenant's apartment has only one bathroom, and the toilet completely breaks down, becoming unusable. Repairing or replacing the toilet would be a tenantable repair. Access to a functional toilet and proper sanitation facilities is a fundamental requirement for any habitable living space. Without it, the property lacks essential sanitary provisions, making it unfit for immediate occupation.