Tenant has rent in Escrow.. Need Help!! Stressed!

[Matt Kaser]

One of my tenants called the city on me with building problems. Big issue was the deck was unstable. It has since been replaced. Other issues were water stains, water leaks, Fireplace chimney wasnt tall enough and she was questioning the stableness of the building. I had a structural engineer look at the building and bless it off(140 year old building, so he said needs to be monitored). City has added stuff but everything should be cleared this week.

I have a court date with the tenant on it this thursday. She has asked the court to reduce her rent becuase of having to live there with these problems and not be able to use everything she was supposed to have. She wants it reduced to zero and abated for the whole time she has lived there, since Oct 1st 2007. (if thats even possible). She is paying $625 a month now. This is a 3 family unit.

Is she wayy off base here or will the court decide in her favor. I am planning on taking pictures of everything and showing it to the court, showing that she is using the whole unit. What are my options, anybody been through this???

Thanks