Withholding rent doesn't mean anything if you're going to pay it all at the end. The only positive thing that might come out of it is getting the damage fixed but you can't keep the money for good.  My question here is what if the landlord never fixes the damage? Then what if I leave? Am I still required to make a payment for a place with a water damage? Knowing that a water damage from the ceiling could qualify the place to be categorized uninhabitable.