Landlord won’t make repairs. It’s been over a year what do I do?

My husband and I have been going through a rough time and it is affecting our marriage. Please help! I pay rent monthly. There are no late fees I just have to call the landlord before the 30th of the month and tell him what day I need to pay rent. Up until now this has not been a problem. However, the problem is that the landlord does not make repairs. It is up to me and my husband to sometimes pay hundreds of dollars to make the repairs to the plumbing and anything else that is needed. We cannot mail him notice to make repairs, as stipulated by law, because he and his wife refuse to give us their mailing address. We recently spent $300.00 on repairs and told him to come around the 24th of the month since we just had a new baby also and are struggling to pay bills and make repairs to keep our other kids safe. He came by this moring and was like we have to pay late fees. My husband informed him that he has not been making repairs and we have had to pay for them. The landlord said that did not matter he does not have to make repairs. My husband slammed the door in his face and told him to come on the 24th as requested. I called and his wife answered and refused to give me their mailing address. The law seems in favor of the landlord. Our plumbing was backed up for almost a month until we got the repairs made. Any advice on what we can do. Since hurricane Ike last year we were put back financially and cannot move right now. Plus I was lais off last year. This landlord is taking advantage but he is suppose to make repairs. The kitchen cabinet even fell down on one of my daughters last year. We told him about it and he said he would get it fixed but a year has passed. Please some advice. This is bad business practice. What can we do? I called an attorney who said for me to mail notice but I explained to him the landlord refuses to give an address. The attorney has not called me back. What can I do??
The landlord has been really trying my husband’s patience and stressing him and me out. Due to our financial situation we cannot move but he should not be able to do this to us. Then again all laws point in favor of the landlord not the tennant it seems. He told my husband he does not have to make repairs but we have to pay rent. What can we do?
We did not sign a lease. It was a verbal agreement. It states that no late fees will be assessed to call for the payment date and he will come out to collect rent on that date. He also stated that he will charge a late fee only if he comes out and we have not called him. I keep requesting his mailing address but he refuses. He also said he does not have to make repairs. I have all documents, quotes, receipts, and any other evidence needed. He is a slum lord.

Posted in Landlord Tenant Law.

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