Article 6 of the law of July 6, 1989 requires owners to offer their tenants decent housing. This includes, among other things, access to sufficient hot water. However, it happens that tenants are deprived of it due to a hot water tank failure or work. The first reflex to adopt is to contact your owner to explain the situation and have the problem repaired as quickly as possible. However, if the repair is delayed, the tenant has several possible recourses.
Is it possible to refuse to pay the rent if there is no hot water in the accommodation?
Regardless of how long it takes to resolve the problem, the tenant must still pay their rent. If he does not pay, he is exposed to problems with his landlord, but also with the CAF if he receives housing assistance like the APL. Even in the event of a dispute regarding the hot water tank, it is obligatory to continue paying the rent.
Can the tenant claim a rent deduction?
On the other hand, the tenant can request a reduction in the rent amount depending on the number of days spent without hot water. To do this, he must make a request to his owner by registered mail, with acknowledgment of receipt, explaining the situation. The process is the same to obtain compensation if the tenant advances the costs of the work or delays in finding hot water in the accommodation.
What recourse is possible in the event of housing without hot water?
If the owner does not react to the tenant’s requests, then the latter can request formal notice from the owner. After the sixty-day period, he can also contact the court or a court conciliator.
Source :
Law No. 89-462 of July 6, 1989 tending to improve rental relations and amending Law No. 86-1290 of December 23, 1986 – Légifrance