I have had maintenance out several times and each time they make it work but then it breaks down a few days later. Last night I came home at 1am and there was not heat (it was -16 degrees outside). I called and the on call maintenance man who has been helping us said that the property manager told him he was off the case and could not work on the problem. She also said that we should turn our electric over on and the problem would be addressed the next day. He came over and fixed it for the night for us but we decided to withold February Rent until the problem is fixed. The property manager called today and told me that I had to pay rent no matter what and besides the heat was currently working. I have contacted her boss and am waiting to hear back but what are my options. They just keep changing the thermostat but have not had a professional come look at the furnace. I need heat and the property manager is being exceedingly difficult. Any advice?
2007-02-05 07:06:11 · 10 answers · asked by RRR 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
Read your rental agreement carefully. The agreement should state that the unit should be in functioning condition. You need to send a certified letter to the manager of the building with your conerns for documentation. Keep the receipt and a copy of the letter for your records. I would send a couple letters of complaint. Ask them to either repair the heat once and for all, or they should pay to move you to another unit that is in repair. If they fail to do this, then I would give them the proper notice that is in your agreement but because you have written evidence that you have tried to rectify the situation, you can break your rental agreement.
2007-02-05 07:15:42 · answer #1 · answered by Sandi A 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By law you cannot just stop paying your rent in hopes of getting things fixed. It sucks, but you have to pay your rent. That should be clearly written in your lease and any court of law will tell you the same thing. If everyone in the management office keeps ignoring your valid complaint, call one of the news channels in your area. Have your ducks lined up so you don't look like and idiot if they do choose to take on your case and help you. Meaning make sure you have documented all the dates and times that they have been called about the problem with your heat and the times they came to fix the problem and the results from each visit. You should also be able to file a complaint with the BBB (Better Business Bureau) on the management company. On top of that the city you live in may be able to help you. Each city is different with which department would handle a case of lardlord neglect when it comes to heating. This seems pretty critical if you live in a state that gets as cold as you said. Most landlords don't like being thrown under the bus so to speak with the city, the BBB or the local news channel so hopefully if you start the process one of these resources will work for you. If you haven't done so already start a log and keep track of all people you talk to with the dates and times and what the results were of the conversation. You may also need to go to small claims court down the road.
2007-02-05 07:54:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Call Buiding & Safety. Call the Health Dept. No heat is ILLEGAL and your landlord is responsible for maintaining a habitable building. If you can find a lawyer who'll give you a free consult, do that too. Look into the Repair & Deduct remedy. If you live in a Rent Control city, call the Rent Board. Your landlord HAS to fix the heat. Keep copies of every letter and if you can afford it, send via Registered Mail/Return Receipt when you write to him. Keep notes of your calls too. Landlords have a handy way of misplacing a tenants's correspondence. The Property Mgr sounds like a real piece of work. Good luck.
2007-02-05 07:20:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know where you live, but in Illinois (Chicago, specifically) it was AGAINST the LAW not to keep the heat at a certain temperature for tenants. Contact your city department of human services. They will send building inspectors out. The property manager and owners can be fined BIG TIME for this offense. In the meantime, you may not withhold rent for this problem.
Stay warm.
2007-02-05 07:12:19 · answer #4 · answered by amazingly intelligent 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pay your rent you are legally contracted to do so, you may not like it but it is best to do so if things get out of hand at least you can say you were faultess and were a responsible tenant,
Put the request to repair in writing. and inform them that if they do not resolve the problem that you will be calling in your own professional to look at the problem and sending them the bill for the call out and subsiquent repairs.
do you have a citizens advice bureau of some sort where you can get free advice.
this is what i would advise to some one in england but even judge judy would back you up and say you were being reasonable in this one!!!
2007-02-05 07:17:44 · answer #5 · answered by millibb 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i had same problem with my landlord while i was living in Va 4 years with no heat and then few months before i moved i was told by a health inspector that my landlord would be fined for not getting it fixed. so if i was you try calling the health inspector but also note that sometimes a landlord will pay the health inspector to back off. if all else fails put rent in Escrow (spelling?) good luck
2007-02-05 07:17:39 · answer #6 · answered by Boggen1210 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've heard that it is state law that landlords keep the heater in working condition, since if it is not it can be a fire hazard or someone could freeze to death. But I'm sure it would depend on which state you are in. There are govt agencies that deal with these issues...and you could file a complaint. maybe check with the social service office, ect?
2007-02-05 07:15:43 · answer #7 · answered by zaeli22 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had that problem in the past with my old computer (the one I just had replaced). The CPU has a fan, which has stopped working and thus, has caused your system to overheat and will cause your PC to stop working. It is a safety or 'fail safe' feature that protects your system from any damage or harm. If you replace the fan (or the CPU altogether), your system should work up to par as before.
2016-05-24 18:57:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well: here's an good advice to "Apartment Tenants" according
with "Heating Appliances " they need replacing as part of"Building
Maintenance Safety Codes" because where of yourself must
do is "File AffirmitiveAction against Land Lord and tell him you'd
better show some efforts & responsibility ! other wise move out
and find a place that would be suitable for you ok?
see http://www.apartment/helpservices.com
2007-02-05 07:30:04 · answer #9 · answered by toddk57@sbcglobal.net 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They should hold up there end of the contract. If they don't fix, you don't pay. Look at what your lease says about those types of matters. Most answers you will get, are different from state to state.
2007-02-05 07:11:35 · answer #10 · answered by pepper_y2k 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋