the apts where we live will NOT take care of our maintenace requests. we have many problems in our apartment. i have called mgmt company numerous times but always have to leave a message and no ever calls me back. got any ideas?
2007-09-05 06:02:34 · 7 answers · asked by jamie5511 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
i have been to the office and talked with manager and she was not concerned whatsoever, i have submitted a list of the needed repairs on 2 different occassions. and NO the neighbors are not having these problems. i see the maintenance men making ready new units and fixing things in other apts...........
2007-09-05 07:37:43 · update #1
Start a paper trail, document every complaint, if possible take picures or video of the problems. Then write a letter to the management company with a detailed list of complaints and/or all the evidence you have. Tell them if they do not respond in a timely fashion you will hold the next rent check and contact a lawyer. That will probably scare them into action.
2007-09-05 06:07:57 · answer #1 · answered by Angela C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do NOT stop paying rent-then you are in breach and subject to court. You need to have written copies (a certified letter is best) showing you gave notice and asked for the repairs. Give them a week to begin the repairs and resolve the issues. After that time if no work is done then file in small claims court. You will need to set up an escrow account with the court and make rent payment there while the case moves ahead. If you don't do that the judge will in most cases find you at fault for non payment and grant them a judgement and possesion and it will go on your credit report.
2007-09-05 13:33:56 · answer #2 · answered by VAgirl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot depends on what those maintenance requests are for. Raw sewage running onto the floor is very different from a screen that has a hole in it. If the problems are health and safety related, then there should be some agency in your town that would take a complaint and investigage. If the problems are basically cosmetic or comfort-related, then your option is to move when your lease is up.
2007-09-05 13:21:25 · answer #3 · answered by Judy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, go to the office and speak with someone face-to-face. Then, send them a certified letter that you unless they fix the problems by a certain date, you will have the repairs done and deduct the cost from your rent. Be sure to document your conversations and keep all correspondence/receipts. Also, speak with your neighbors to see if they are having the same problem. If so get together with your complaints. There's strength in numbers. If the issues are health related, report them to the health department.
2007-09-05 13:09:39 · answer #4 · answered by Suzy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hire a lawyer that can take care of this type of law. If you would rather stay in your current apartment, then you will need legal aid. That would be the quickest, however, you can check your county and see if there's a department that regulates housing in your area and start there. You may have to make a few calls before you hit on the right one.
2007-09-05 13:10:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends where you live, but most states have "repair and deduct" laws, where you notify the landlord of necessary repairs and of your intent to handle the repairs yourself and deduct the cost from your rent.
They then have 30 days to complete the repairs. After that, you can take the above action.
2007-09-05 13:10:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Document your greivances for several weeks / months. Including in your letters the fact that you intend to stop paying your rent on a certain date until the maintenance requests are addressed.
Then... If they still do not respond to your requests, stop paying them. (The way the laws work, you could pretty much live there for free anyway, even if you had no legitimate greivance.)
2007-09-05 13:07:53 · answer #7 · answered by Andrew Wiggin 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋