Is My Landlord Breaking the Law?

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 I and another tenant have been living in the same building for 19 years.  A new owner bought the property four years ago and twice now, the building has gone into foreclosure and auction.  He re-aquired it once, but this time, he has moved out of state and filed bankruptcy.  The exterior of the building is in disrepair, with a building roof and a carport roof that is falling apart.  The neglect of the building will make it a very hard sell and what will happen is that the bank will take over and ask the tenants to leave.  According to our rent control laws, they have to pay relocation fees.  But the point is that the landlord uses an excuse of a shortfall of rents as two tenants have withheld their rents until repairs are made in the apartments.  I have and am continuing to pay my rent.  The neglect of the building’s roof is so severe that one of the two tenants mentioned above is having severe leaks in his apartment, due to the heavy rains we have had.  If the landlord claims a shortfall of rent preventing him from making repairs, it should be noted that the other apartment in the building has been vacant for over seven months and he made no attempt to rent it.  His actions are very suspicious since he has moved four times since he bought the building four years ago and now he has moved out of state to avoid his creditors.   Basically, I and the other tenants are on our own and should we need repairs, we should have to pay for any emergency work done as the landlord is on the East Coast, an associate lives too far away and a secretary can only be reached by email.  I was told that any such repairs would have to be paid for by the tenants and deducted from our rent, and he has begun giving me negative attitude.  That has not happened, of course, but it is curious why someone who did not meet his mortgage obligations would complain if someone needs to make a deduction from rent, if the case may be.  The man’s attitude and actions in failing to repair the building’s most obvious needs is highly questionable.  The neighbors are referring to him as a slum lord and we are in a pretty good neighborhood.  Is he breaking the law and should he be reported to the RPA?   RPA cannot negotiate with him until the bankruptcy proceedings are over, but I think that the landlord should be held responsible for the condition of the building. 

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