NEW ORLEANS — You may remember, we broke this down last year when things started heating up, but things in New Orleans have changed quite a bit.
In January, New Orleans’ new Healthy Homes ordinance mandated landlords provide air conditioning for the first time.
The requirement reads: “Each rental housing unit shall have a cooling system in good working order that can safely maintain a maximum temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit in all bedrooms, measured at a point three feet above the floor and two feet from exterior walls.”
If your AC goes out and there’s no sign of your landlord fixing it, you can file a complaint under the “Services” tab on Nola311.org without fear of retaliation.
This only applies to Orleans Parish, though.
If you live elsewhere, you can take advantage of Louisiana’s Repair and Deduct Law. You must give your landlord written notice that repairs are needed, and if they aren’t completed in a reasonable time, you can have the repairs done yourself, keep the receipts, and deduct the cost from next month’s rent.
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services recommends contacting a lawyer for advice to make sure you follow this law correctly.
Another legal way out, if your home is not habitable, is to try to get out of your lease early, although your landlord may sue.
Above all, if you’re not happy with the current conditions, do not withhold your rent. It could get you evicted for nonpayment.
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