Shithole apartment help

[simmode1]

^^^I was half expecting a troll response when I saw your name had replied...lol... But thanks a bunch for the super useful info. I'm glad you mentioned one other thing that I hadn't put online here: the unit was indeed missing screens too. I submitted work orders and some have been installed, but we're still waiting on screens for my kids room, which is upstairs. That shit is mortifying to me. And though I've never felt the need to test smoke detectors in any place I've lived previously, but seeing as how my roach foggers didn't set them off, I probably should do that ASAP.

I have indeed started to correspond via email to track every conversation, particularly the opportunities given to resolve things. I think I'll start my own issues tracking log too, as has been suggested.

I do want to contact some sanctioning body who has authority on these matters. Not sure if that means lawyer up or call some tenants association or something though.

[sidewaysil80]

Originally Posted by simmode1

^^^I was half expecting a troll response when I saw your name had replied...lol... But thanks a bunch for the super useful info. I'm glad you mentioned one other thing that I hadn't put online here: the unit was indeed missing screens too. I submitted work orders and some have been installed, but we're still waiting on screens for my kids room, which is upstairs. That shit is mortifying to me. And though I've never felt the need to test smoke detectors in any place I've lived previously, but seeing as how my roach foggers didn't set them off, I probably should do that ASAP.

I have indeed started to correspond via email to track every conversation, particularly the opportunities given to resolve things. I think I'll start my own issues tracking log too, as has been suggested.

I do want to contact some sanctioning body who has authority on these matters. Not sure if that means lawyer up or call some tenants association or something though.

Don't waste money on a lawyer yet and DO NOT try to play games with deposits or payments. If you wind up in court you still have to pay a lawyer even if the court sides with you. Just call the county and ask them for advice. They will have more resources and guide you better than we can.

Originally Posted by simmode1

^^^I was half expecting a troll response when I saw your name had replied...lol... But thanks a bunch for the super useful info.

hey come on man, its one thing to talk shit about car nonsense, its another thing when it comes to peoples' livelihood. Thats the thing that people dont understand about tenant rights, the general consensus is that landlords can do whatever they want. That is NOT true. Get the knowledge and protect ya gaddamn neck. Furthermore, cash rules everything around us - YOU are the customer. You pay your gaddamn rent, your landlord better be giving you A+ service. The minute they start skimping is the minute you start exercising your rights. Its just like Jim Brown said "I pay my damn taxes and I want my equal rights." Your rental property is YOUR rental property. You and your family live there. You need to look after YOUR interests. As long as you're paying, you're the customer.

Originally Posted by sidewaysil80

Don't waste money on a lawyer yet and DO NOT try to play games with deposits or payments. If you wind up in court you still have to pay a lawyer even if the court sides with you. Just call the county and ask them for advice. They will have more resources and guide you better than we can.

^ Correct, there is a time and place for withholding rent or bouncing out of a rental and skipping that last months rent. Thats literally when the shit hits the fan and you're leaving. In the end, however, this shit ends up in small claims court where you represent yourself anyway. I woudlnt sweat it much because most landlords know that its a losing battle and a colossal waste of time. Plus, actually collecting from a tenant is rather wishful thinking since people who rent typically dont have tons of money. If they did, they wouldnt be renting.

After contact them via email/letter, give them a chance to make these damn repairs. If and when they dont, do what I said above, contact the "housing department CODE ENFORCEMENT" (google it for your city), they'll send an inspector over and the owners will be cited for whatever violations they've made. Just know that the minute you do that... it means: "shots fired." Your landlord will NOT be happy and I would highly advise to have been prepared to relocate at the end of your lease. And thats why you document everything so that if and when you go to court, for anything, you're ass is covered.

Good luck and holler at me if you need more advice.