What are my rights as a renter? Please help!?

I just rented an apartment and signed the lease. The manager did not let me see the interior of the apartment until later on that day because he said it was not ready. When I came in there were cockroaches, the carpet was wet, wet tile floors, carpet stains, and it smelled. It was disgusting. I already paid for everything and for the rest the month. He is not in his office during the weekend and his employee won't help me. What can I do?

I worked for a rental company once a long time ago. They rented an apartment thinking that it was ready but it was not. When the owner found out he had someone go in immediately to clean it up and gave the tenant a discount on the rent. So I would give him a chance to correct it first. If he doesn't do anything make sure that you have photographs to prove the problem. He may be required by your state to give you a blank 'inspection report' for you to fill out. Make sure that you fill it out. Read your lease too. If the health department doesn't shut him down. You may have little recourse. Then I would turn to trying to be evicted so you will not be sued for the remainder of the lease.

Goog GAWD! Take him to Small Claims Court immediately, after you've contacted the local Health Department and found out where to make a landlord-tenant complaint in your town/city.

NEVER do that again!

First of all...why the h#ll did you sign a lease without inspecting the property!!? That was stupid...plain and simple. In some states, you have three business days to cancel out of any contract you have signed. Call an attorney that will give an initial FREE consultation. It's not unusual for a secretary/associate to not be able to give you any information. Frequently, they are not allowed to. Just because they work in that office doesn't mean they know anything the landlord is working on or he/she may not have the authority to handle this type of situation. Talk to the landlord and tell him you will seek to get out of that lease. Take pictures of the damage/disgusting situation. Plenty of pictures. These will be imperative if you have to go to court if landlord won't let you out of lease.NEVER, EVER SIGN ANYTHING WITHOUT BEING THOROUGHLY CERTAIN THAT IT IS IN YOUR BEST INTEREST. ALWAYS READ EVERYTHING YOU SIGN. Don't you watch Judge Joe Brown????

You should have reviewed the apartment before signing a lease. Tenants rights varies depending on the laws in your state. The best way to see your Tenants rights in your state is to do a yahoo search type in your state and go to your state's website. Usually a state's website has .gov in the end. If you can't find anything then here's a site that can help.

http://www.hud.gov/renting/tenantrights....

In Massachusetts It's advise that you review the property before signing a lease and it's acceptable condition. There's actually a lot that they say on this specific topic.

Take pictures (video if possible) of the apartment. Discuss this with the manager of the place and show him the pictures. See if the Manager will lower the month's rent and have you stay in a hotel until the place is cleaned up and in acceptable condition for you to move.

If not you need to contact the Attorney General's Office and advise them on the situation. They will tell you the correct steps to take and where to look to get this problem solved.