What can I do to ensure that common areas are kept clean?

Questioner

I am a room resident and rent a room in a house where 4 other people live. Two of the co-residents leave the kitchen so dirty that I can no longer prepare my food in such a mess. I have spoken to both those residents and my landlord about this several times. What can I do now? Can I pay less rent as a means of putting pressure on the landlord, or is that not allowed?

Lawyer

If there are house rules that are not being followed, the suspension of part of the rent as a means of pressure is indeed a possibility. Do you first request a meeting with your landlord and the rest of the community?