i am in debt with my rent company

When you first lodged your complaint were you making your rent on time. Either way you still have a right to live in a harmful free enviorment. You might have a right to lodge a complaint against the landlord and cease all payments until everything is fixed. I know thats the way it works in Michigan. But you have to actually lodge a complaint first before the rent time comes around.

chmartinbaby06 each state varies. You can access your states rental rights by going to the state website. There are many protocols that you would need to follow. Hope this helps!

Chmartinbaby06,
Try to pay some of your rent when lodging complaints, only so you can give yourself credibility. If they are being vindictive, then you should try and find a new apartment! You can also have a health inspector come out to look at the place. IF they find something that is wrong with the environment, such as this ceiling, they can fine the landlord/renting company.

In the state of Texas and Oklahoma you can't withhold rent payments due to needed repairs.

You can give them written notice that if in 30 days they do not fix the problem that you will pay someone to come out and fix it, then deduct the repairs from the rent. Some states don't have this law, so you should probably research that if you chose that option.

Second choice, since it is a roof leak and could damage your property, you could give them a notice of intent to vacate/move out if the repairs are not made within that period. This usually will get the landlord's feet moving to get the problem fixed. Don't go after them with no bark if you are willing to go through with it though. Can only do this for certain things that go wrong with the property, roof would qualify if the leak is bad enough.

When you give notification of an item that needs to be repaired, in the future with this landlord...always give in writing, keep a copy for youself, maybe even make the person sign it & date it verfying they have received the letter.

Bottom line is that you have to pay your rent, or they can evict you and take you to court to collect unpaid rent plus fees. Don't think you want that to happen. So, probably trying to be nice since you are late on the rent would probably be the best solution, but let them know you mean business. Be prepared to move out if the problem doesn't get fixed. Whatever you do, you need to give notice and keep written records. Hope you get some action and get the problem fixed.

There are some home solutions to killing ants. For instance, I hear they don't like spicy things. Leave out spices that are hot, ants only like sweet things. Maybe this will scare them off. Check the internet for some other home brew to get rid of them.

I use to live in Oklahoma City, so I am well aware of this law.

Do you know where there is a website about rental property law or real estate that says what states are allowed the witholding of rent until such items are fixed?

Mikey, never said you were allowed to with hold rent until the items are fixed. I have never read such a law and I am a landlord. Each state follows what is called a Landlord Tenant Act. Try searching this for your specific state you are in. This gives all the rules that both parties must abide by. Maybe there is such a law, just not in the state that I live in.

Thanks Ann. I'll try doing a search for it to get more familiar with the Landlord Tenant Act.

Getting rid of ants. Melaleuca has a product called Tough and Tender, it is an environmentally safe cleaning product that also gets rid of ants. Since I began using it we are ant free! Yipee! It costs about $6.50 for a bottle of the product and a spray bottle, but it is very concentrated and makes four spray bottles full. If you know someone who sells it, it is fantastic stuff. You could also try ebay.

I have also heard that ants will avoid spearmint essential oils - you should be able to get a one ounce bottle at your local health food store for about $7. The suggestion I heard was to put it on a cotton ball and rub it around the edges of your cabinets, windows or where ever you think the ants are coming from.

Good luck with your landlord.

I second the spearmint oils...

They do keep ants away.