Vent: renting sucks

[flying_babyb]

Im fed up with the way my landlord is handling things. So far my garbage disposal has been broken for 3 months, the shutter is hanging off my window (3 weeks) and the air conditor was broke for a week. They got a new air conditor today and it blows air.. Not cold air but air..... Then I get this email
"How's the A/C? A co-worker and I risked our jobs today to make sure we got you an A/C installed." Why does he bother to tell me this, Its his job to take care of the aparment and I never told him to rush job it.
I was told that florencent tube lights in my kitchen are my responsibilty to replace the bulbs in ($30 a bulb). Last week I got this email:
"I did vacuum up a bit of kitty litter coming from your apartment today. I hope that there is not any problems with your cats." No there was a problem with my garbage bag... GRRR. I also dont get hot water when others are using it. 2 water heaters for 10 aparments.
Im just fed up with paying as much as I do to get treated like this!

 

[Liberty Belle]

I'd move. That's ridiculous.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

That stinks. It is usual to have to pay to replace the light bulbs though, even the large ones in the kitchen.

 

[flying_babyb]

Year lease no moving till febuary. with air and fan on its curently 83 degrees in my living room.

 

[flying_babyb]

in the lease i believe it says shes responsible for lightblubs. Once I find the lease (its at moms) Im gonna see what I can do. Im frustrated.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Is there any kind of help for renters when their landlords are not keeping thier end of the lease? At the very least I would start documenting when you talk to them, what they say, and how long it is taking them to fix things. You never know - you might need it.

Do you know any lawyers who could give you advice?

 

[OctMtnWoods]

I think he likes you. He keeps emailing to see if you and the cats are ok.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Fix the disposal or live without it.

Change your own lightbulbs or light a candle.

Stop strewing kitty litter about for others to clean up or put up with hearing them ***** about cleaning up your kitty litter.

Get a window a/c thing or be hot.

Renting does suck. But you'll find that:

1. All apartments have problems. You have to learn to roll with it. Part of life when renting.

2. Landlords who knock themselves out to keep you happy charge more than ones that don't.

3. No landlord will knock themselves out for someone who leaves their kitty litter laying about.

 

[Sir Robin Hood]

Renting does suck.

I'll have to disagree with that generalization. Renting from a Slumlord might suck, but there are many benefits to renting. I do agree 100% about keeping your cat mess cleaned up. My landlord is great and more prompt at helping (and less prompt at raising rent) for tennants who he knows keep their apartments clean rather than those who don't.
Then again there are many Slumlords out there who are too cheap to fix things unless hounded about it consistently. It depends on who runs your establishment.
But just like owning your own house, there are good and bad aspects of renting.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Okay, you had me until you complained about the light bulb. I can't imagine that any landlord would be responsible for changing them even if they are the big flourescent ones (and not in a common area).

 

[golfgal]

Where in the heck are you shopping that a florescent tube lightbulb costs $30???

Are you sure you have the AC turned on properly?

 

[flying_babyb]

its on the same settings he put it on. The only place to get the bulb apparently is menards, not that it matters cause now it works again..... The kitty litter thing, It wasnt strewn everywere, it was a couple peices of litter on MY doormat right outside my door and the only reason I didnt clean it up is because when I took out the trash I relized that they had'nt replaced the light blubs in the hall and they were down to one which made it very dark.

 

[dolphinrescuegirl]

Our landlord is not honoring her part of the lease so we talked to an attorney. He said all we have to do is give her 15 days notice and we can break our lease. While it is usual to have to replace lightbulbs, I never had to replace the kitchen flourscent (sp) ones!

 

[BabyTigger99]

Okay, seriously? Are you ever happy anywhere that you live?? You are always complaining about the place you are living in, then you move, then you complain about the new place. See a pattern here?

 

[flying_babyb]

actully I loved living here intill the air conditoner broke. I dont exactally like how the landlords are but I make do. I love the aparment though... also i loved my first place, too bad I had to move.

 

[Heidict]

Yes, renting can suck, but so can owning a house. At least when you rent the landlord is on the hook for the repairs and not you.

I have never heard of a landlord being responsible for replacing light bulbs. We had one go out in our living room. It was some weird funky kind that I had to go to a specialty lighting store for and it cost about $30 for the 2 of them (and it required 2 bulbs or it didn't work at all). I was a bit shocked, however, they are supposed to last for years so I', sure it will all even out in the end.

The garbage disposal not working is a pain, but is pretty minor considering that most people don't even have them. How long has it been broken?

Double check the settings on the AC, maybe it isn't set right? What is the temp set on? Why the landlord choose to tell you that they almost lost their job to do the AC is beyond me. It's none of your concern nor is it your problem. You didn't tell them to risk their job. They own the place it's their responsibility to keep it in good repair and fix things as they break. Whether they want to ditch work and do it and risk their job is none of your concern.

I have had horrible landlords before. From the ones who don't do repairs to the ones that are so OCD they freak if you don't park perfectly. Thankfully now I have a wonderful landlord that I love. Super fast with any repair and leaves us alone. I pay the rent and he is happy. That is all he cares about. After having bad ones in the past it makes me appreciate him sooooo much more. It's hard finding great ones though. Of course on the other side of the coin I hear from friends that rent that it can be hard finding good tenants also.

Document what repairs need to be done and when you notified the landlord. If they continue to go undone, send a certified letter, with a return receipt, for proof that they were notified. If all else fails consult with a lawyer, or look into your state laws about what it takes to break your lease. Worse case scenario you are stuck there till your lease ends. How much longer do you have?

 

[HM]

It's been many years since I've rented. I had one landlord that did not respond to my calls for repair of our disposal. We ended up calling Roto-Rooter and they snaked out the thing and I paid for it. The next time we paid rent, I deducted the amount I paid, attached a copy of the bill, and sent it in. Never heard a thing back...so I guess he approved of that.

Good luck with your landlord. I hope you can get him to help with the things you need repaired.

 

[sbell111]

I miss renting, sometimes. Owning a home sucks.

I'm responsible for fixing all the stuff that would have been the landlords responsibility and that stuff breaks more often that you would expect and costs more to fix than you ever imagine.

Plus, a landlord can avoid your calls. My wife always knows how to get hold of me.

 

[wall*e2008]

You have another vent thread about the cost of your cell phone and cable. Now the cost of a lightbulb. Are you having trouble paying your bills?

 

[flying_babyb]

No walle Im trying to save more money. Im irrated that in the lease it says one thing and she says another.