posted
That's the sound of the leak in our bedroom window waking me, me grumbling and getting up after realizing that a rag in the corner was not going to keep it quiet, coming into the dark living room to turn on the computer, and stubbing my toe.
Stupid cheap landlord who won't get decent windows installed.
To make it worse, there also seems to be a leak in the roof, plastic he put up notwithstanding. It's dripping on the floor of the people in the apartment above us-- and I can hear it in here. Grrrrrrrr. Drips, leaks, and no sleep make kq a VERY grumpy girl.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
| IP: Logged |
I hope all gets better. Have you tried putting a really thick towel inder the leak? Or a couple of towels?
Posts: 1591 | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Some landlords are so stupid! They should realize that it is good to fix leaks quick so their property does not get more damaged. We had a leak come three floors down from the roof, and the management company refused to fix it because it would have to rain really hard to leak that way again. But I live in the land of the near constant rain, aka Columbus, so it leaks quite a bit. So I understand the agrivation.
Posts: 234 | Registered: Oct 2005
| IP: Logged |
I assume you've been documenting your calls to the landlord to get this fixed. Hopefully the tenant upstairs is doing the same thing. Go have a conversation with the upstairs tenant and see what they've done so far. Then, call your town's Code Enforcement division. In my prior experience, they're usually housed at Village Hall (which means they're probably closed today but should at least have voicemail). I don't know the specific building codes he has to follow there, but I'm willing to bet that "free of leaks" is in there someplace.
Do not withhold rent, even in an escrow account, without specific guidance from an attorney on that one. In many places, that's a violation of your lease and grounds for eviction, even when done to cause repairs to be made.
(hopefully you're south enough to not be getting totally blasted by the mess going through the Sacramento area ... a friend in another group now has a 100+ year old tree across the front of her house)
Posts: 4515 | Registered: Jul 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Oh, the landlord said the previous tenants said it leaked when it rained, and to call him if it did. He's getting a call as soon as my husband gets up. And the couple of very thick towels are what are not solving it for more than 5 minutes; I don't hear the leak upstairs any more, I think the upstairs people put a bucket under or something.
But this is the landlord who pays for shoddy work repeatedly rather than getting things fixed right once.
We're not having high winds, just a little gustiness with rain. I'm in the L.A. area. We do get some trees blown over up here every year or so, though. One fell into the roof of the school I worked at one year.
It's the first real rain of the year since we moved in, so the landlord hasn't really had a chance to fix it yet. But based on the way he operates, I don't have high hopes. (He also charges us an illegal water bill. He's not supposed to be allowed to charge us for water without a separate meter, but he divides it between all four apartments-- including the amount of water he uses to water the lawn, etc. Any ideas who to report that to?)
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
"the previous tenants said it leaked when it rained"???? Then he's admitting knowledge of a problem that predates your tenancy and probably that of the prople upstairs. Make sure to let Code Enforcement know this when you call them today or tomorrow. And just because the landlord says to call him when it leaks is no reason not to call Code.
I'd mention the water bill issue to the people at Code Enforcement. They won't be able to handle it directly, but they may be able to give you direction on where to go. That may be a matter for an attorney or for the Water Department.
Posts: 4515 | Registered: Jul 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
He said that he tried repeatedly to fix it for them and then they moved out before it rained again. I don't think he really gets what's wrong with it.
How would I get the number for Code Enforcement? We're in a small, semi-incorporated (if such a thing exists) community, where commerce and such are managed locally, but most other things (like the police and all) are managed through the City of Los Angeles.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
He's coming over right now to do something about it-- and even said he'll bring quarters to wash and dry the towels we're using to catch the drips. Which is uncommonly generous of him, I think he doesn't want to be reported for being a slumlord or something.
Anyway, once he's gone, maybe I'll be able to sleep-- if whatever he does works.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
I had a landlord like that. Damn roof was about to fall into my bed! Don't put up with his crap, kq. You need to stay healthy.
Posts: 2064 | Registered: Dec 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Oh, we don't put up with crap if we can help it. But we're a little afraid of him-- he will and does go off on people and yell in a very scary, almost violent manner. I've seen it, and I don't want to be on the other end of it right now.
(Mainly because I'm afraid of what I would do back.)
He's over here right now, but his ladder blew over. So, guess what? Jeff is out there picking up his ladder for him, in the rain, and who knows what else. At least our door stays closed-- the one on the apartment next door blows open every time there's a gust. (But at least they have a dishwasher-- so not fair when we have the same size kitchen that they do and we don't!-- and their bedrooms are bigger. It's empty right now. I wonder how long it will take him to rent it, it took months for him to rent the last 1 bedroom across the way and he still hasn't rented one of the 1 bedrooms. He keeps raising the rent, no wonder no one is biting...)
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Sorry KQ, I hope that they can get it all worked out, or at least enough so you could take a nap.
Posts: 234 | Registered: Oct 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Sounds like it might be a good idea to see what he wants for the other place. After fixing the door.
I hate not having a dishwasher. When I lived at my old place I was even thinking of buying one of those counter top dishwashers at Target for $200.
EDIT: Jeff sounds like a really nice guy. I can't say that I would help that landlord after the treatment he has given you.
Posts: 2064 | Registered: Dec 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
He wants waaaay too much. My sister gave us a 4 place setting dishwasher that she didn't use, but we have to get a new adaptor-- our sink is different-- and find a space for it. And then add to that the extra deposit, the cost of disconnecting and reconnecting phone, cable, gas... Soooo not worth it. When our lease is up we're moving someplace without a crazy cheapskate landlord. Being in the area now, we'll be better able to look.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
| IP: Logged |
quote:How would I get the number for Code Enforcement?
Since it sounds like most of your governmental stuff is covered under City of LA, I'd call LA City Hall's main number, ask for the department of Code Enforcement for your area.
Oohh, google is my friend - not only did I find a toll free number but also a webform to file a complaint!
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
![[Group Hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
Sorry KQ, I hope that they can get it all worked out, or at least enough so you could take a nap.
