If a landlord is renting out an old home and the tenant suffers regular damage to his or her electrical equipment, would the landlord be responsible for having the building wiring updated so that such damage does not continue to occur on a regular basis? What if the cost of such repairs far exceeds the rent that the tenant would be paying? Would the tenant be legally able to break a lease without paying fines in this type of situation?
As long as the wiring was at code when the house was built he does not have to change it. BTW, it would cost about a years rent, you are talking about a major renovation. It is normally only done during other major renovations, not by itself. This does not break your lease. Haven't you ever heard of surge suppressors? Buy yourself some.
If there are NO grounds, as you say, in the building, then anything metal that you touch would be electrified. You would be electricuted. So I find it hard to believe there are no grounds. Depending on the type of equipment you are talking about, make sure that you have the correct ampage. You cant run a 220 electrical appliance on a 110 line. All you are going to do is blow fuses or your equipment. You could also start a fire. As to the answer, Landlord is completely correct. As long as the home meets city code and passes inspections (required in MI for all landlords), then no, the landlord does not have to update the building wiring. I have 13 homes in 4 different cities in MI that I rent out, they are inspected every year or 18 months by law, and if the electrical is not up to code, then noone can live there due to the danger of fire, until it is brought up to code. And the inspectors are hard on landlords when it comes to repairs. Finish out your lease and then move if you are so unhappy. But NO, you cant break your lease because of this.
