Black Hills State University: Can an employee simply stop paying private rent when essential repairs are neglected?

DIRECT ANSWER

Retained consumer-guide remedy summary; tenant-caused damage is excluded, habitability is material, and actual relief may require legal review. No automatic payment suspension asserted.

The retained consumer guide describes notice of needed repairs and a reasonable opportunity to act before a tenant pursues repair deduction or departure. For necessary repairs exceeding a month’s rent, it describes a separate repair-fund account, prior written reasons for withholding, and written evidence of the deposit to the landlord. Follow the applicable remedy conditions before redirecting rent; a general maintenance duty is not permission to spend withheld rent on unrelated moving costs.