Landlord failing to repair plumbing issue

M

Mute9003

New Member
Jurisdiction
Washington
I moved into low income appartments in january.
Had an issue with mold that took a long time to fix.
About 2 months after started having problems with plumbing
After multiple attempts to clean it with draino and snake they kept saying that problem is fixed but it wasnt
Eventually sink and washer drain started overflowing and flooding the kitchen and bathroom multiple times.
after about 4 months of dragging their feet they attempted to fix it and opened the floor. Which didnt fix the issue.
Flooding got More frequent.
After another 2 months and multiple "inspections" they said they need to open the floor again to fix the problem.
last thursday they tried to schedule the repair again for this week when i have custody of my kid, i told them they need to stop scheduling it for when i have my kid.
So they scheduled it for last friday and the job was supposed to be done on saturday morning. But the construction crew were off for the weekend and i got locked out of my unit.
today (monday) they were supposed to finish but they showed up in the afternoon and said that it needs more work so im still locked out.
And now im getting a runaround about when it will be done.

I have just found out that sewer gasses are toxic and i have been smelling sewer gasses for at least 6 months.
i cant move until my divorce is finalized which is soon.

im not sure what the best way to handle this situation
 
Mute9003 said:
im not sure what the best way to handle this situation
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Have you spoken with management, social services, section 8, or the city inspection department?

Have you contacted any social service agencies for assistance?

Have you contacted the local Legal Aid Office to seek their assistance?

If the answer is no to all question, get busy contacting and visiting with all of the above.
 
No i dont know what to do in this situation thats why asking here.
I contacted some kind of tenant law help but they arebso busy that they rushed through and didnt really give me many answers so i still have no idea how to handle this incompetent management.
They have cost me alot of time and created alot of unneded stress.
Im supposed to be studying for my exam and instead i have to deal with this bs.
 
What should i do in case like this?
Are there city inspectors i should call before i start any legal action so they can make a statement or inspection.
And if there are other units in same poor and unsafe condition but i cant confirm except what i overheard from people talking who do i call?
 
If you are not allowed into your apartment because of the work you might talk with management about paying prorated rent... Unless they have already compensated you in some way for that.

Although they haven't been successful it seems they have been fairly attentive to the problem. Talk with management and see what you can work out. That's where I would start.
 
I forgot to write that the maintenance guy told me that they knew about the problem and moved the previous residents to another unit because of same issue.
his boss also knew the issue and supposedly knew what needs to be done
I told them that sink is overflowing they dragged their feet on it until friday.
Over the weekend it overflowed very bad
The emergency maintenance guy almost puked when he tried to clean it up.
on monday they ignored the issue again and did nothig to fix it for weeks.
Meanwhile it kept overflowing and stinking up the place.
 
Mute9003 said:
I forgot to write that the maintenance guy told me that they knew about the problem and moved the previous residents to another unit because of same issue.
his boss also knew the issue and supposedly knew what needs to be done
I told them that sink is overflowing they dragged their feet on it until friday.
Over the weekend it overflowed very bad
The emergency maintenance guy almost puked when he tried to clean it up.
on monday they ignored the issue again and did nothig to fix it for weeks.
Meanwhile it kept overflowing and stinking up the place.
Click to expand...

It might be time to speak with your elected city mayor or other officials.

I would also file a complaint with the city and/or building inspection department/agency.

You could also reach out to the Salvation Army and the Red Cross.
 
What can i do to get them moving?
Its been since friday morning and its still not done.
Im locked out of my apartment and they dont seem to be in a rush to finish the repair. Thw plumbers havend done anything in last 2 days
Giving me bunch of excuses and i cant get a hold of the regional manager either.
The appartment manager says she cant do anything and keeps giving me a runaround.
 
Mute9003 said:
What can i do to get them moving?
Its been since friday morning and its still not done.
Im locked out of my apartment and they dont seem to be in a rush to finish the repair. Thw plumbers havend done anything in last 2 days
Giving me bunch of excuses and i cant get a hold of the regional manager either.
The appartment manager says she cant do anything and keeps giving me a runaround.
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If your rent is paid in full, the apartment complex should be paying for alternate accommodations for your family.

That would normally be at a nearby hotel.

I suggested you contact local TV and radio stations, the local newspaper, your city mayor, your city councilperson, the city building inspector, Salvation Army, Red Cross.

Good luck.
 
Mute9003 said:
I forgot to write that the maintenance guy told me that they knew about the problem and moved the previous residents to another unit because of same issue.
his boss also knew the issue and supposedly knew what needs to be done
I told them that sink is overflowing they dragged their feet on it until friday.
Over the weekend it overflowed very bad
The emergency maintenance guy almost puked when he tried to clean it up.
on monday they ignored the issue again and did nothig to fix it for weeks.
Meanwhile it kept overflowing and stinking up the place.
Click to expand...
Ask to be moved to a different apartment.
Have you called the Board of Health?
 
Are they allowed to enter my bedroom or move my belongings without letting me know?
During the repair they flooded the carpet in my bedroom
While i was locked out they entered my bedroom and moved few things to cut out the flooded part of the carpet.

Including my desktop which was on
They put it on the table and unplugged it without proper shutdown(possibly damaging hard drive)
And also damaged one of the hdmi video ports that is now loose.
They also moved everything on top of my kitchen counter without asking me so i dont know now everything is possibly contaminated with sewer water from their hands.
 
Mute9003 said:
Are they allowed to enter my bedroom or move my belongings without letting me know?
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That depends on many factors far too complex to addressed here.

If something has occurred that upsets you, speak to someone in management about your concerns.

You could also write a letter and send it via priority US Mail, and you'll be able to determine who signed for it and when.


Mute9003 said:
During the repair they flooded the carpet in my bedroom
While i was locked out they entered my bedroom and moved few things to cut out the flooded part of the carpet.
Click to expand...


Management can enter (or authorize repair people and emergency personnel) to enter your unit during a bonafide emergency.



Mute9003 said:
Including my desktop which was on
They put it on the table and unplugged it without proper shutdown(possibly damaging hard drive)
And also damaged one of the hdmi video ports that is now loose.
They also moved everything on top of my kitchen counter without asking me so i dont know now everything is possibly contaminated with sewer water from their hands.
Click to expand...


I posted this above, I'll do it again.

If something has occurred that upsets you, speak to someone in management about your concerns.

You could also write a letter and send it via priority US Mail, and you'll be able to determine who signed for it and when.
 
I am speaking to management which is rather dense. Ans unwilling to listen .
Im just trying to figure out what is legal for them to do and what is not. And hoping to resolve the issue without getting the lawyer involved.
Lawyer is my last resort, but if i can do it myswlf jt would save me alot of time
Im supposed to be studying for my real estate exam now( a month ago actually) but had been dealing with one issue after another.
 
Mute9003 said:
I am speaking to management which is rather dense.
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Negotiations take tine, so patience is required.
If face to face conversations aren't working, it might require you to put your issues to paper and send a letter via US Mail (priority service).

Conversations lack the documentation that a paper trail creates.

Have you contacted your renters insurance company?

Hopefully you have a valid renters policy.

If not, you might wish to obtain one after this saga is resolved.

Your local elected officials and city (also Polk County) bureaucracies are available to assist you.

Your issue stems from a fire, contact the fire marshal and see if she/he can offer you any words of wisdom.
 

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