What action can a tenant take if their landlord fails to maintain the property?

When a tenant faces a situation where the landlord is not maintaining the property, one viable action the tenant can take is to contact the local health department. This is particularly relevant if the maintenance issues affect the health or safety of the living environment. Local health departments have the authority to investigate conditions that may violate health and safety codes. By reporting the issue, the health department can intervene, potentially leading to an inspection and subsequent enforcement actions against the landlord to ensure proper maintenance is performed.

In this scenario, the action of contacting the local health department is appropriate because it involves seeking assistance from a governmental authority that is specifically equipped to handle such complaints regarding property conditions.

Other options, such as subletting the property or changing the locks, do not directly address the issue of property maintenance and may not be legally supported without the landlord's consent. Withholding rent can be a more complex legal matter and should typically be approached with caution and ideally after seeking legal advice. Therefore, engaging with the health department offers a constructive and potentially effective pathway for tenants dealing with neglected maintenance issues.