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DRAFT FOR ATTORNEY REVIEW — NOT FINAL

Gokey v. Bessette, 580 A.2d 488 (1990)

Citation
Gokey v. Bessette, 580 A.2d 488 (1990)
Parent Document
Gokey v. Bessette, 580 A.2d 488 (1990)
Jurisdiction
Vermont (state)
Effective Date
1990-07-13

Full Text

1,199 chars
The trial court found that during the tenancy a variety of problems developed, including water leakage into the home through the roof, which was fixed by the tenants, power failures due to a faulty transformer, and a furnace breakdown. More serious was a break in the sewer line serving the premises, which remained unresolved from February to June of 1986 and resulted in water surfacing from the system. The trial court found that the “landlord’s response [fell] short of an adequate response. Foul odor filled the trailer and unhealthy fluids lay underneath the trailer for long periods of time.” Defendants stopped paying rent as of June 1, 1986. The court found that final repair to the septic system came later in June, 1986, only after a visit from the town health officer, prompted by defendants. On June 6,1986, prior to the repair, plaintiff gave notice to quit, effective August 1, 1986. The court found that after defendants stopped paying rent, plaintiff locked the barn where the freezer was located and shut off the power, causing the loss of $300 worth of food. Defendants vacated the premises on October 31,1986, approximately one month after the plaintiff had sold the mobile home.