The backstory: Since I moved into my apartment at the beginning of August, I have had NO hot water in my shower. Now, I live in Texas, and when it’s 99 in the shade, a cool shower is good. I have talked to the landlord at least three times, and I have left two letters to inform him of the problem, each more strongly worded than the last. I talked to his nephew last weekend, and he insisted that he called someone, and gee, he didn’t show up? No, he didn’t, at least when I was home. This morning, I got up early and decided to make breakfast. I went to fill the sink with hot water (which I have to the kitchen sink and the bathroom sink. Go figure.) Guess what happened when I turned on the hot water to fill the sink? That’s right. Nothing came out. Naturally, I am a little pissed off about it. This is on top of the oven that doesn’t work and the bathroom window with no blind.
So listen up, you lying sacks of shit. I pay $600 a month for the privilege of living here. For my $600, I expect a roof over my head, hot and cold running water, and appliances that work. I want to be able to come home at the end of the day to a nice hot shower and a home-cooked meal. I don’t think I’m asking for much. If I am, please tell me so I can start proceedings for constructive eviction and I can move.
I’m tired of putting up with your shit. There are broken windows in the building next door, which you also own. They’ve been that way for the past month. Have you fixed them? Of course not. I’m sure the tenant whose kitchen window is broken appreciates that.
Look, I understand that people who become landlords do so because they want to make money. I’m a capitalist, and I can go for that. But Jesus Christ on a cracker, there are actual tenants involved! Who would like to live in a decent apartment with stuff that works.
Maybe if he can’t explain why this wasn’t fixed to me, he can explain it to the city. That’s my next step.
Start withholding the rent. You can put the rent money in an escrow account, which show good faith on living up to your end of the bargain. Then take the bastard to court.
Call the health dept about the lack of water. If you can think of any other violations, (high grass, bugs, etc) add those to the complaint. If you know of anyone else who’s having a problem, see if they’ll go on the complaint as well.
Call the zoning office about the broken windows. They may or may not respond quickly, but (atleast around here, in Ohio) they’re the ones who cite people on stuff like that. not.
Hope he gets pff his butt and fixes stuff for you!
spooje, I’d like to keep court as a last resort. It may come to that, however.
Alatariel: Wanna hear some brutal irony? The city planning office (which includes zoning) is on the next block. In fact, I can see the building from my house. I’ll give them a call and see what they say.
That sucks. When I was renting, the story was you could withhold rent money until repairs were made. But this site specifically states what Texas law requires: http://www.burger.com/leaserpr.htm
However, I recommend you go over your rental agreement with a fine tooth comb, especially if it is a standard agreement. This will have more detail about how repairs are to be handled and will override any general laws.
I know from personal experience about the Landlord that owns MsRobyn’s apartment building. I had dealings with him back in 1999, and long story short he screwed me out of my deposit.
They guy is a lowlife scum, but he has a good location. I say put the cash in an escrow account and sue the bastard. I’d be happy to give you my file on the guy, along with my lawyers number that I used.
A similar thing happened to one of my friends. I know regional laws vary, but I strongly urge you to find a lawyer who specializes in tenant landlord disputes and get his/her advice. They work for a portion of the settlement, do not require payment from you up front. My friend went from feeling/being helpless and sans airconditioning during the height of summer to having AC again and a 5,000 dollar out of court settlement within 2 weeks or so.
Rat-bastard landlords rely upon their tenants not fighting back and just rolling over, cause hey, confrontation is hard to do. But don’t let that stop you. Maybe switch in a 100 watt range bulb for a while…(or even better, one of those 3 way bulbs so that you can choose appropriate…ah skip it.)
Well, the good news is, I have hot water in the kitchen again. It was shut off this morning for some silly reason. The food I would’ve made for breakfast was good this evening for dinner.
This morning, when I got in to take what I thought was going to be a freezing cold shower, I accidentally turned on the cold water faucet. Imagine my surprise when nice, hot water started coming out! I think what happened was that when the apartment under me was remodeled this summer, the plumbing was screwed up, and when I started complaining about it, the plumbing was screwed up again, but this time, at least I’ve got hot water.
Now, I’ve got to call the handyman for the oven and the blind in the bathroom. God forbid anyone should see me nekkid.
