Problems with my apartment. Who do I call? What can I do?

Question

Ok, this might be a little long but here goes...I have lived in this apt in Macomb, MI since Aug 06. I have had on going problems since then. I have MOLD in my apt, it has already been removed 3 times. I also had a foundation leak. They fixed it but one week ago I came home and a 6'x4' section of my bedroom carpet was totally saturated. Apt maint. said to my face that I was NOT TOP PRIORITY. They NEED to put a downspout at my entry way to correct this problem, but have done nothing of the sort. I have called health dept, etc. I finally called Building dept today and spoke with someone helpful that said they would contact the complex. Waiting for him to call me back. I have been living out of my living room for a week now! Every thing the maint. people say they fix, eventually just comes back...worse! There is even mold growing at my bedroom window outside. Please leave any HELPFUL suggestions. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

You may want a professional Inspector (they usually inspect houses for interested buyers) from the Yellow Pages (or Internet).
Then you will have certified proof of work that should be done -useful before the Rental Board or in court.
It should motivate the landlord to get repairs done quickly. Good Luck !

Answer 2

You need to contact the Housing Authority for your area, they will be able to answer your questions better than anyone here probably. You should be putting your rent money in escrow to pay for fixing these problems since clearly the landlord is not taking care of them. I think maybe you should contact a lawyer to identify the steps you should take, but the Housing Authority might be able to do that for you for free, I don't know.


Step 1 is to make sure you have all this in writing. Immediately send a dated, written letter to the management outlining the problems, how long the problems have been going on, when and how many times you notified them of the problems, and what their response was. Send a copy to them and keep a copy for yourself. (This is for legal purposes.)

To tell the truth, that might be the end of your problems. They know what's up when you send them something in writing. Personally, I kinda hope they are dumb enough to ignore it so you can nail they @$$.

If I was you I would go for getting all the rent money back for the months while you were living in substandard conditions.

Answer 3

Well you could take matters into your own hands. Tell your landlord for the simple repairs you will spend the extra to fix yourself, but he has to take the expenses off your next rent. Out side your window, buy some clear caulk, caulk the window, Buy a down spout and attach it to your section in the direction it needs to go. Inside use the same caulk and do around the inside of the windows and the door jam that goes both inside and out. Around the bedroom window on the inside do the same thing.

Or you can call a lawyer and tell your landlord that you are going to sue him for apartment neglect and for putting you in line for a health risk.

Good Luck!
Sorry about your appt.

Answer 4

well most apt. complex are slow on doing everything but one sure way to light a fire on them is to go to your bank and tell them you want to open a account for your rent (it has a name and I cant for the life of me rember what its called the bank will know) got to check your state tho this is law in nj and you just deposit your rent by the due dat ein the account and they dont get it till they make the repairs on your apt. but it has to be the specific account made for this and the money has to be in there on rent due dates sorry I cant rember the name good luck

Answer 5

If you haven't already moved out and contacted a lawyer, go with Kittycat's advice.

Answer 6

Whoa, either move or get lots of clorox beefore the mold regroups and invades again and then i dont know