What can I do about this?

Question

Ok. I have done a little bit of research, but I wanted to see if anyone could help me further. I live in an apartment complex and the management there does a very poor job. It snowed a few weeks back and because they never cleared off the origional snow it has since melted and turned into ice on both the sidewalk and the parking lot. I have slipped on the ice as well as have gotten my vehichle stuck more than once there. I have gone to the management, but they have done nothing but ignore my complaint. Is there anything that I can do to Make them clear the situation? It has gotten way out of hand. Thanks for any help you can provide.

We do not have assigned parking, so if I get my car out of one spot and clear it there may be the possibility that I will be doing the same thing the next day. etc. And believe me everyone fights over the spots with no ice.

Answer 1

The first thing I would do, is check my lease, specifically looking to see who is responsible for cleaning the ice off, and where.

Some complexes require the tenant to clear the sidewalk in front of their unit, to the 'common' sidewalk. The better communities simply agree to handle all of the ice and snow removal.

Where you live, will also greatly affect the "attitude" of local management.... for example, I lived in a luxury apt complex in a northern state, and they were very good at getting out, before everyone was leaving for work, in the morning, to clear the walks, and parking lot of any snow/ice accumulation. Ive also lived in southern states, where the attitude was, "we're waiting for it to melt" before we do anything, lol. I now live in a rural cental US state, and that attitude of "hit the grocery store before the storm" still pervades, in this area. People assume that no one in their right mind would go out when there is snow on the ground, lol.... I find this amusing really.

Ok, what to do -- If your lease spells out who is responsible... and hopefully, the apartment complex is responsible for at least part of this... then start by sending a written letter, directing the management to the appropriate clause in the contract. Thats the first step. You should also request, that they give you a response, in writing, as to what they intend to do.

If that hasnt shaken something loose... you have a couple of alternatives here... you can contact a local news agency... many of which have a "special reporter" who helps fight bad business practices. Sometimes just the threat of going to a resource like this, is enough to get some action.
The other choice you have, is to have your lawyer write a letter to the management, AND owners. Often, the local management of the complex, are NOT the owners. Going over their head, with a letter from a lawyer, warns the owners that the local management is not fulfilling their duties, and this can bring some VERY heavy pressure on the local management from their bosses, hehehe.

Another alternative -- send a registered letter to the management, that your rent will be going into an escrow account until the problem is resolved. (I would check with a local attorney on the laws in your area about this, before doing it)

One more alternative -- Pay for the snow removal out of your own pocket -- get receipts -- and either bill the management, or deduct it from your rent. In many states, this is a legal and appropriate course of action, when the owner, or management of the property fails to execute their part of the contract.

I was once renting a home in Missouri, in the contract, the home owner was responsible for any major repairs, or appliances furnished with the home ( this example is the hot water heater). Our hot water heater rusted out, leaked, and needed to be replaced. We tried calling the owner several times during the day... and he would not return our calls, his secretary said he had not contacted a plumber... so we did. We ordered a new tank, and had a plumber come out and install it... this was about 5 pm. The owner had all day (a weekday) to do something, and he failed to take action. At the end of the business day... I took action. I paid the bill to have the new tank installed, and then deducted it from my rent, supplying copies of the receipt. Yes... the owner complained... but the next time I had a problem... (a roof leak)... he acted on it right away, lol.

The point of the story is that if the management fails to take action on something they are liable for.... If you show that you are willing to take action, and not just complain... it will motivate them to do something, the next time there is a problem.

Now... if checking the lease shows YOU are responsible for any or all of the snow removal... then you should invest in some icemelt, hhehehe... and a throw rug, to put down inside your entry door (this is so you do not track the ice melt thru the rest of the apartment).

Again, check with a lawyer to find what choices you have available in your area. Most law firms would be willing to answer this question right over the phone. Another source, would be your local Congressinal Representative, or state legal aide department If you live in a large city... then the local building inspection office may have some information you can use.

One last item... dont forget your neighbors! There is power in numbers, hehehe -- one person complains, and its an 'individual who is never happy' -- but when several complain? they know theyve got to do something quick.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

Leave letters on the office desks, make multiple complaints to the managers, don't be too friendly, yet not too mean. You are some where that does not fit your being there. If they kick you out, fine, you'll find some place better. Don't be too careful for what you don't, if you are paying the asking price to stay there at the apartments, then you aught to have it your way. If these things do not change, then it is your opportunity to have the managers' to reduce your expense for staying there. You know you don't deserve what you are getting, so fight for what you aught to have.

Answer 3

Look at it this way-- the more services you expect from your landlord, the more you can expect to pay in rent. Ask yourself, based on the amount of money for rent I am paying, should shoveling the walk be included in the package?
Honestly, most tenants I know and all homeowners shovel their own walk or hire someone to do it.

Answer 4

check your lease and see who is responsible for clearing the walks and parking lots. it's probably them, then check with the state gov. or city dept. in charge of tenants rights to see where you stand. good luck.

Answer 5

you can either do 1 or 2 things you can clean it yourself or you can call the land lord tenant act they will request your landlord to do his job or they will let you know what your rights are and what you can do.

Answer 6

Do it yourself. I do that all the time.