Apartment Woes, Need advice? - Big Big Forums

felice · 10-09-2006, 07:15 PM

Sorry if this is long, I just want to get everything out - at least vent a bit

We've lived in our apartment for 6 years now. In the past 5 of those years we've been flooded majorly 3 times due to pipes breaking (the apt admitted they weren't fixed properly the 1st or 2nd time). Now we cannot get renter's insurance as we're considered a liability.

The 2nd flood caught us while we were spring cleaning - I had pulled things out of EVERYWHERE so the place was quite messy as I sorted through things. Of course the flood hit, manager arrived and found the place a mess. She refused to hear we were doing major cleaning (in 5 years at that time we've lived here they have come into our apt on short notice many times and it was maybe not spotless but sure wasn't anything like this) She gave me a 3 day notice to clean up and comply. I did this in 1, she also made me move all non-damaged furniture to the ONE tiny bedroom and bathroom that survived the flood. I had to haul all other damaged items - entire living room set, clothes, personal belongings to the trash.

The last flood found us better - no spring cleaning so no mess. Maint just shopvac'd the apt and said it would be dry overnight, they'd come in the morning. It stayed wet 2.5 weeks - I would call and they'd come put up fans or never show at all. I tried to get the manager to come and never heard word back. I was VERY naive at this point I know this now - I never thought to send certified mail. I let it all go, gave up trying to contact them and the wetness finally dried. however there were cracks, what appears to be mold on the baseboards etc that were never repaired.

I'm on housing right now, I figured I would just wait until they did their yearly inspection and bring it all up. I later found MASSIVE paint bubbles from more flooding I was unaware of in the water heater closet. I had asked maintanance about this and was told it was "normal" nothing could be done.

I had my inspection pointed out ALL the problem areas told the lady what was going on. She wrote a report and gave them 30 days to fix the damage. After getting the report, the manager who has been telling everyone who will listen that I have refused maint in to do the work, called CPS on me, saying we did not have running water. No big deal it was open and shut case since we did indeed have running water. She brought over a 3 day notice to comply shortly after - stating that our home was filthy (she's not been here in nearly a year) and cites the condition of the home back in december...also states January was the last time I allowed Maint in to do repairs - she somehow doesn't know about the last flood in March.

My home she tells me is filthy because we have streaky mirrors in the bathroom, and I failed to vacuum right before she had shown up unexpectedly, oh we did have a few dishes in the sink. She threw a fit when I argued with her about all the floods, she ended up slamming out of the apartment. Later sent over the head maint man and another manager to inspect the damage. I pointed out what looks a LOT like mold in the furnace room and along the baseboards. The maint man told me that it's not "fuzzy" so it's not mold just discolourisation because the baseboards are made out of particle board (would that make it discolour green/black?)

I'm terrified as I've read about the symptoms of toxic mold and all the strange ailments I've had over the past five years that comfounded doctors are all there, I'm really worried about our health and fear they are trying to scare me into not doing anything more. They want to remove the drywall tomorrow, and now I'm not so sure it's a good idea - I've called the city inspector, but he was out of his office friday, and today is a holiday. I'd feel better having him look over things first, and have also contacted legal aid about her harrassing me, as well as their inability to treat the mold - if it is infact mold (I'm no expert)

I guess I'm just really afraid. She is making false charges against me. Has now stated my home must be inspected once a month (I really don't care I'm clean - aside from streaky mirrors) but it seems an invasion, and quite unjust one at that seeing as the apt was only in an unclean state once in 6 years and only due to spring cleaning to make it CLEANER. I'm not sure if I can bar them from cleaning up until I can get the apt properly inspected for mold tomorrow - and I know if I do this, she will kick a massive fit or what to do. I've never had rental problems until she came into her management position. Am I doing the right thing? Am I going mad? I'm not quite sure right now. If moving were an option I sure would do so. I just don't have the money to move, put down deposit etc, and I'm afraid she is spiteful enough she would ding us on EVERYTHING that needed repairs like the damaged cheap flooded 3 times looks awful carpeting or an array of items. I just feel really stuck!

tracey74 · 10-09-2006, 07:55 PM

well if you live in an apt complex then they have to give you i think 24 hrs notice before they come in.now as for complaining about the apt being dirty.A lot of those apt complexes are like that I know I lived in one they will write you up for dirty dishes,a dirty refrigerator seal,non vacuumed carpets and what not.and sorry to say but they can write you up for just about anything and once they do it looks bad on you.I would complain to upper management(the ones over the manager of the apts.) write them a letter explaining your side and see what they do.I had one apt complex I moved out of who would try to charge you for new carpet once you moved out but yet they never put in new carpet.so I wrote to the main company telling them what was going on and the condition of the carpet and that I was not paying for a new one since it didnt need it.anyway.but most state laws say that these places have to have a once a month inspection so most likely she can do this legally.and if you tell them they cant inspect then most apt places they can evict you for this.do you have a lease? if so read it to see what it says about this.this is one reason why I will never live in an apt complex.because we have had some managers who was biased and let others get away with murder and yet others were always written up no matter how clean the house.ours would go thru the apt with white gloves to check for dust and what not.and as for mold it doesnt have to be fuzzy to be mold.there is all kinds and black mold is one that isnt fuzzy.also if its spotty its most likely mildew.but anyway Id go over her head to upper management and let them know whats going on.I had the same problem with a manager as well as others needless to say she was fired.HTH

TxGreek · 10-09-2006, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tracey74

well if you live in an apt complex then they have to give you i think 24 hrs notice before they come in.

They don't have to give you any notice. If they have a reason to come in (obviously, only a valid one), then they have every right to enter without notice.

Prunella · 10-09-2006, 11:27 PM

Call the Health Department and ask for an inspection.

***buttrfli*** · 10-09-2006, 11:36 PM

Get on google and look up "renters rights" for your state. You have rights and there are a lot of people that don't know exactly how many rights they do have.

Laws vary by state for when a landlord can and cannot enter your residence (apartment or house.. doesn't matter)

Even though you have rights that are protected by law, there is nothing to stop the 'management' (and I use that term loosly) to make your time there pure hell. If you are on housing, are there not other apartment complexes that waive the deposit? Or does your housing authority not pay a reasonable deposite for you?

I realize there are tons of costs associated with moving, but it may be worth doing so just to save your sanity.

killbarney · 10-10-2006, 12:53 AM

If the inspector will be over in the next day or so, answer the door in your nightgown/robe. Hacking and coughing and sweating

. Tell them that a friend who was very sick was over yesterday with a very contagious stomach virus-well, look at you, of course it was contagious and in such a short time. You'd just like to let the maintenance people(or whomever) know so that they'd be aware of the fact they'd get sick since you'll be watching their every move

Oh, look at that-what a miraculous recovery just before the inspector shows up

Quote:

Originally Posted by felice

I'm not sure if I can bar them from cleaning up until I can get the apt properly inspected for mold tomorrow - and I know if I do this, she will kick a massive fit or what to do.

gmyers · 10-10-2006, 01:14 AM

If I was you I'd contact the health inspector and legal aid about her reporting you to CPS. And I'd also contact the owner of the apartments and let them know how she's treating you. Don't let her get away with trying to intimidate you for reporting legimate problems. If that doesn't work check your local tv station and get them involved. You'd be surprised how fast they'll fix things after bad publicity. And take pictures of the mold in case you or your family get sick. That way you can sue for medical expenses. Send the manager certified letters asking them to fix the problems so if any of you get sick you can take them to court for medical expenses. You're paying rent and you deserve to be treated decenrly.

felice · 10-10-2006, 03:12 AM

I want to thank you all for your advice, I've been fretting all weekend long. I'm really a non-confrontational sort of person, so the thought of her retailiating just scares me to death!

I'm phoning the EPA and the city health inspector tomorrow first thing. If necessary, I will pay to have a professional come out and take samples. I am thinking when they come to paint and take out the possibly moldy drywall I am going to tell them that I want a signed and dated letter stating that the "discoloration" is simply that and not mold. That they are 100% certain. I'm planning on taking lots of photos from every angle possible, as well as scraping off some of the suspect areas - the paint is bubbled and poofy to the point it is 5 or 6 inches from the ceiling. I will also tell them, I've already submitted samples to be tested. And that if they give me a letter I have no problems with them taking care of the apartment.

I figure I am not actually turning them away from doing the work needed. Just wanting a letter I can take to legal aid IF it does infact turn out to be mold. I'm sure this will scare them enough into giving me a few days to have things properly tested. There was similar mold issues 5 years ago by the furnace - carpet cleaners actually refused to finish working for safety reasons - but management told me then the same thing - discoloration and they painted over it.

I've been really sick ever since. I had a heavy period for 3 years straight, my hair falls out in clumps, I'm so tired I feel like I'm a zombie - and that's just a small sampling. I always thought mold problems were just a new way of suing and making money, never thought for an instant it could really make you sick - until I started researching the symptoms, now I'm scared and just want things checked out.

Anyway, thanks for listening, and offering advice - I think *hope* my plan works for a few more days anyway, I'll just feel that much more at ease. No matter if it is mold or not, I am still pursuing legal aid, I am just gobsmacked that she would file a false claim against me. And tell me I'm lucky she doesn't kick me out. (I almost wish she would) Unfortunately, with housing you are still responsible for deposits otherwise I would have been out of her after the 2nd flood when my insurance was cancelled. Soon as I get results, I'm calling the upper management - fortunately there's apartmentratings.com there appears to be many who call her by name and have the same problems with her.

Quaker_Parrots · 10-10-2006, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by felice

After getting the report, the manager who has been telling everyone who will listen that I have refused maint in to do the work, called CPS on me, saying we did not have running water.

Why on earth would she be stupid enough to call CPS and say that, when it is the complex's responsibility to make sure you have water, unless she was implying you hadn't paid your bill?

felice · 10-10-2006, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quaker_Parrots

Why on earth would she be stupid enough to call CPS and say that, when it is the complex's responsibility to make sure you have water, unless she was implying you hadn't paid your bill?

Wish I could tell you. They cover water, I think she was trying to cement her lie that we would not let maint into the apt to fix necessary repairs. Even the CPS worker found it a bit odd. After all, if I didn't allow them in - how on earth did they know if we had running water or not?

I have to wonder if she's all there - My cousin is a seamstress and I am keeping 3 of her mannequins. When the manager stormed out of my apartment the other day she screamed "You have 3 days to get these mannequins out of here! They're freaky"

cinnamonch · 10-10-2006, 09:38 AM

Why dont you find another place to stay instead of putting up with this? I know that on housing you can move and that would seem to me to be the best solution to all you have been going through.