landlord ripping us off

[jonesmtn]

we signed a contract when we moved into our "rent-to-own" house. the contract specifically states that tenant is responsible for covering any repairs that are "$500 or less". No where in the contract does it state that we are responsible for paying the FIRST $500 of any major repairs to the house. We still do not own the property but they landlord is saying that we have to pay the $488 to repair a leak in the roof. and the first $500 for a major repair of a leak in a pipe in an interior wall of the house. they had to rip out the vanity's and toilets in 2 bathrooms, tear out a wall, remove MOLD and LOTS of it!!!! and it's now been 6 days and the house is still a mess. The landlord is saying we still have to pay the $500 even though the contract does not mention it at all. What do we do? Pay the $500 for the pipe repair and the $488 for the leak in the roof. Not to mention the leak in the roof caused the ceiling in one room to be ruined which will cost us another $150 to fix. do we have any leg to stand on to not pay it?

 

[seniorjudge]

What did the lawyer you hired to look over this contract before you signed tell you about your questions?