Not here to directly answer your question, but to recommend that you do an internet search for the name of your location and the phrase rent escrow.
It seems like you could have a somewhat dangerous situation on your hands and escrow is a way to legally withhold your rent until that issue is resolved.
Also, even as a non-electrician that situation looks kind of gnarly and definitely needs to be looked at by an electrician on site. The symptoms alone are definitely concerning.
Best of luck, friend.