I moved into a home in October of 2006. I have a landlord, but they have a management company that is supposed to handle everything with the house. When we moved in, the air conditioner was broken and the toilet didn't work. I called the management company and they told me that I was supposed to call the landlord for those types of problems. So, I called the landlord and he told me to call the company. Finally, a week later, we fixed the toilet ourselves and they got their communication together and someone came out to fix the AC. Then our kitchen sink had a leak (which was already there when we moved in but wasn't bad) and we couldn't use it. It took me 5 calls and two weeks to get it fixed. Now, during the coldest days of the winter, our heater doesn't work. I called on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with no call back. Finally I called the landlord and told them that me and my family could not even stay in the house because the heater isn't working and my son can't be in those conditions. We ended up staying with my Mom last night because it was too cold. Is there anything else I can do? Can I break my lease if they continue to not fix things in a timely manner - especially the heat? Isn't it a requirement for the house to have heat and air? Please help. If we can legally break our lease, that is what I will do because this is just getting ridiculous. I shouldn't have to leave my home because the landlord and his management company can't get things done.
So, I called the management company again on Monday and they swore up and down that the repair man would be there that night. He never showed up. Then, on Tuesday morning he said he could be at my house at 8am. Even though I was supposed to be to work by 8, I kept the appointment. He showed up at 8:15 and didn't finish until 10:45. So, I am out those hours because the landlord and management company couldn't get their act together. At least I have heat now.
You're right, it's ridiculous....you shouldn't have to deal with this! Why don't you meet with you son's pediatrician and explain the situation. Maybe, he or she will be able to write a letter to your landlord explaining the health risks of being in extreme temperatures of a hot or cold environment.
Yes !!! You can do something about all of this
First thing is to call code enforcements right away and let them know about your heating issues. That is a instant violation especially with a baby in the house.
They will tell you what to do there after
We have the same exact problems.
We moved into our house Oct. 1st and the first thing to give us a problem was the A.C. which took them a month to fix. I was pregnant at the time with 3 children in the home.
Then in the beginning of Nov our plumbing went.
It was horrible.
I called code enforcements because we too did not have any heat
they showed up the next morning
Same problem that you are having, we have. With the calls and how they are never answered or returned.
We are dealing with a management company due to an absentee owner.
This guy is horrible
We finally had to go to court about it because we had no plumbing for 2 months and I refused to pay rent
By law if you give them 10 days notice prior to your rent being due, you can withhold the rent. But send the intent via certified mail.
Need more info
Please email me
C.
Hi H. . Sorry to hear that you have a bum landlord. Thank god for laws. YES there something you can do . you send them (In your case both parties) a certified letter of ALL the repairs that need to be done.and an explation of all the phone tag will no longer be tallerated.etc. just give them a piece of your mind but its important to get copies of the letter. You have 10 business days to do this before your next rent payment . tell them that you are putting their rent into an account and After the repairs are made that you will release the funds. Honey this is all legal. they will have someone out so fast your head will spin. Who do you think the courts will side with in this case? hello they dont want this to go to court. You may not be able to renew your lease but WHO GIVES A ---T !! at least you'll have running water for the rest of the year. Good luck and give'um hell.
Hi I'm one who truly understands, I lived in a house with very simular issues.I lived there from 2003-2006 and the problems just got worse. from the roof,toliet,sink ,ac unit,to the carpet. what else could go wrong? When the sink leaked and some kind valve broke then carpet was ruined I was blamed and he never gave me back my deposit was never returned...I had four childern and was homeless for four months no job etc.....Now my life took a turn... What I learned from that is never rent from a mangament co if it can be helped seek legal advice or move out before it is too late. Im working now in school and I nice landlord but I owe so much trying to catch up is hard . But I learned a hard lesson when in doubt do with out. If you deal with a middle man you are always going to have some kind of issue. The law was on his side. they stated that the lanlord does not have to supply a ac unit I was informed that all hehas to do is have running water.. and you know the rest.. The more I asked for things to fix . The more I was told by the mang. that they are giving me a thirty days notice.
This is kind of weird, I'm trying to break my lease too (but because of whom I live with) First of all you have to read your lease and see what is says about things getting fixed and they are always very specific. HOWEVER it is Florida State law that they HAVE to provide you with heat especially if there is a small child. You need to get someone in there right away to prove there is no heat (get EVERYTHING in writing) make sure you have records of contacting your landlord about the heat. YOu break your lease just make sure you have all of this documented and you will be fine Hope that helps
