Apartment won't fix my unit

TXgolfer said:
Legally, I think he can walk away from the lease now. I mean pack up and move tonight. And most likely he would be entitled to a refund.

BUT

Sometimes the law doesn't always work the way it is supposed to. It would possibly be years before he saw any refund. Possibly he would be sued which sucks even when you win. And most likely he would have a broken lease on his credit report. Granted he would be able to get that removed eventually, but until he did..... Not good.

What I personally would do at this point is march down to the office and say....

"Look, you don't like me and I sure as hell don't like you. I want out of here and you want me out of here so that you can raise rent. Why don't I give you the keys on the 28th, you mail me my deposit within 30 days and we never speak again. Otherwise, I am oping to gather my neighbors and let them know there is most likely mold in their walls too. Then I am going to take a collection to hire an inspector. I am going to post pictures of mold on Facebook, Yelp and City-data and Craigslist. I am also going to email the picks to the apartment guide and rent.com. I am going report this to county health, the Texas Dept of Health Services and the consumer reporter for KTRK. And when that test comes back I am going to sue your ass off. Your choice, you have 30 seconds to decide or I am going with option 2. We will only communicate through lawyers after that."

I have a feeling they will take option 1.

Edit to add: Then again being a small landlord in Houston.....they might have you shot. :dunno:
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Better chance getting shot on the spot if your landlord looks like Marlon Brandon, smokes a stoogie and covered in tattoos with a teardrop on his cheek. lol
 
My house has mold where its wet in the basement, since gutters were stolen and the drywall gets wet. I know how to remove it safely and have the respirator to do the work, so eventually it will be all ripped out and just left bare concrete, its a basement.
Negative air pressure is the key.
 
radioman said:
caulk don't wear out. If they used kitchen/bath caulk with mildewcide in it and still get mold, chances are there is mold inside the drywall that has spread over 4-12 ft circle. Contacting an asbestos/mold contractor consultant is your best defense right now. they can set up a tripod with a machine to collect a air sample and give you the ratio and type of mold it is. With this data in hand - you can go to your landlord and have a sitdown and discuss your options. The landlord will have to make a decision that is best for him/her based on how much it cost and it won't be cheap. They will have to do a tear in the drywall for inspection and see whats the next step to see how widespread the problem is. just replacing the caulk will not solve the problem as there is a serious mold issue somewhere along the wall. Trust me on this -- I have done quite a few remodels and seen the effects of mold. sometimes it was just a localized problem on one wall , or sometimes its a total gut. either way - you are looking at another place to stay if it not a localized issue on one wall.
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Caulk around the kitchen sink is becoming soft and peeling now due to mold on it so it needs recaulking (which will be the fifth time) because I don't want water to go through those areas when dishwashing. I believe that the handyman informed my property manager about mold before. However the house owner is the only one making decisions unless it's an emergency like a broken window, garage door problem, water heater leak, etc. Electricians, plumbers, etc came here to do repairs many times since this house was built in 1970. Everything is original including roof shingles. This place really needs a big renovation but I am only a tenant.

I understand what you are talking about since I watched HGTV regarding mold. I really appreciate your post. Thanks.
 
CrazyPaul said:
However the house owner is the only one making decisions unless it's an emergency like a broken window, garage door problem, water heater leak, etc. Electricians, plumbers, etc came here to do repairs many times since this house was built in 1970. Everything is original including roof shingles. This place really needs a big renovation but I am only a tenant.
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That is why I will never, ever a-F*-gain rent a house. Never a-DGF-gain!!! I rented a house with two other people from some lady from AFRICA with some name like Odenigwe. They were really handing out loans to people who could fog a mirror. I know... Because I worked for the Texas Savings and Loan Agency in 2004! We were processing THOUSANDS of Texas mortgage broker and loan officer license applications. A LOT of them were in the major cities, especially Houston. And there were lots of complaints about fraud, misrepresentations of facts, etc. When I moved to Houston a few months later, subdivisions were still going up, and I was wondering, "Where in hell are these people getting the money from?" The question was asked just mere months before I ran into the woman who forever changed my financial life. Anyway, the woman with the house was NOT a landlord, but a RENTER. She wouldn't have repairs done (because the fool didn't think about the hidden costs of home ownership). I had a hot water valve stem in my bathtub so broken that water was literally running out at a slow trickle with the valve completely turned off. We had to get a friend to come over and fix it, pay him for it, and deduct it out of the rent.

Never again!!!
 
TXgolfer said:
They are excellent, I used them a lot. They came in handy when drying new drywall texture in humid areas to.

*Hint for homeowners, in an emergency or when cleaning carpet you can rent these at most Home Depots
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Or you can buy one from a local pawn shop for under $100. That's how I got mine. I have four!
 
NitroHonda said:
Or you can buy one from a local pawn shop for under $100. That's how I got mine. I have four!
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I'm anti-pawn shop. :lol:

I'm really not sure how many Ihave right now. I should probably inventory that stuff someday. I have a lot of generators and compressors too.
 
TXgolfer said:
I'm anti-pawn shop. :lol:

I'm really not sure how many Ihave right now. I should probably inventory that stuff someday. I have a lot of generators and compressors too.
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Haha. I have no problem with them as a goods customer being a young business myself... but yeah... they're scum. I still like to watch Hardcore Pawn and laugh.

I'll be in the market for a generator and a towable compressor later this year. Gotta keep growing first!

:lol:
 
Wow!

The manager got the health letter! Now, I have to move out to the unit across the swimming pool from me, as they're going to tear EVERY WALL in my unit down! I told the neighbor that I will give her a letter with my email contacts so that in the event she dies or becomes seriously ill as a result of mold spores, then her family will be able to contact me as a witness in the event they decide to sue the apartment complex.

Now, it's time to herd cats... I have to change everything over on paper. Lots of phones calls. I have to make sure they don't mess this up. I've got boxes here from work, so I'll have to get to packing here.

THIS is almost over! I want to start a new thread, something like "New Travel Trailer As A Home." There I will be asking for advice on travel trailers, as it will be my second home that I would be owning. My lease expires end-of-September.
 
Since no one will be living in your current apartment for some time (and possibly not till you move in Sept), can't you arrange to keep that apartment #, at least for mail? I know you still have to arrange for the utilities (cable, etc) to move with you.
 
deafdrummer said:
Wow!

The manager got the health letter! Now, I have to move out to the unit across the swimming pool from me, as they're going to tear EVERY WALL in my unit down! I told the neighbor that I will give her a letter with my email contacts so that in the event she dies or becomes seriously ill as a result of mold spores, then her family will be able to contact me as a witness in the event they decide to sue the apartment complex.

Now, it's time to herd cats... I have to change everything over on paper. Lots of phones calls. I have to make sure they don't mess this up. I've got boxes here from work, so I'll have to get to packing here.

THIS is almost over! I want to start a new thread, something like "New Travel Trailer As A Home." There I will be asking for advice on travel trailers, as it will be my second home that I would be owning. My lease expires end-of-September.
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Did the health inspector show up before or did you fax the photos to the health dept? If no to both questions, I don't understand why the mgr got the letter without health inspection. I guess they believe you.

Don't forget to fill out the postal form for your forwarding address which is good for one year.
 
CrazyPaul said:
Did the health inspector show up before or did you fax the photos to the health dept? If no to both questions, I don't understand why the mgr got the letter without health inspection. I guess they believe you.

Don't forget to fill out the postal form for your forwarding address which is good for one year.
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Yes, of course, the forwarding order is important in case you forget to notify someone of the change.

To answer your questions, no to both of them. The city here is hugely understaffed in all departments, I think. Their procedure is faxing over a letter to them regarding the condition of my apartment, and they have ten days to answer the letter. Remember, the greater Houston metropolitan area has ONE health inspector. ONE. So naturally, they couldn't send one over that quickly.

Edit: all the walls have to be inspected from the back side. And I need to change the address over so I don't have to remember who I changed with.
 
deafdrummer said:
Yes, of course, the forwarding order is important in case you forget to notify someone of the change.

To answer your questions, no to both of them. The city here is hugely understaffed in all departments, I think. Their procedure is faxing over a letter to them regarding the condition of my apartment, and they have ten days to answer the letter. Remember, the greater Houston metropolitan area has ONE health inspector. ONE. So naturally, they couldn't send one over that quickly.

Edit: all the walls have to be inspected from the back side. And I need to change the address over so I don't have to remember who I changed with.
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You can have your mail forwarded for up to 12 months. It might be an option to consider since you're looking to move permanently soon.
 
CrazyPaul said:
.

Don't forget to fill out the postal form for your forwarding address which is good for one year.
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And you have to do it online with a credit card, cost a dollar, i had to change mine recently, the PO wont do it anymore , no forms to fill out and submit freee....they are screwing us one way or the other too.
 
Jiro said:
lol yea or it should be something like this one -
2200ex.jpg



instead of this one :lol:
small-fan.jpg
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When people were suggesting fans, I did think of the first one but some people might think of the 2nd one and try to dry out their carpets with them. I have seen people use the spinning g fans to try to dry put their carpets....poor them!
 
shel90 said:
When people were suggesting fans, I did think of the first one but some people might think of the 2nd one and try to dry out their carpets with them. I have seen people use the spinning g fans to try to dry put their carpets....poor them!
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True. Some people may misunderstand. They are actually called "air movers" but we often refer to them as fans. Carpet cleaners, contractors and stores probably need to do a better job of explaining this.
 
sonocativo said:
And you have to do it online with a credit card, cost a dollar, i had to change mine recently, the PO wont do it anymore , no forms to fill out and submit freee....they are screwing us one way or the other too.
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Really?

From USPS.com;

Filing a Change of Address Request

•How can I file a Change of Address?

A Change of Address (COA) request must be submitted by the addressee or by someone authorized to file on behalf of the addressee. When submitting a COA request, please note the following:

• The person who submits this COA request states that he or she is the person, executor, guardian, authorized officer, or agent of the person for whom mail would be forwarded under this request form.
• Anyone intentionally submitting false or inaccurate information on a COA request form is subject to punishment by fines or imprisonment or both under Sections 2, 1001, 1702 and 1708 of Title 18, United States Code (U.S.C.).

•A Change of Address may be filed using one of the following methods:
•Online (requires a $1.00 verification fee) – For additional information, go to the Internet Change of Address FAQ.
​
•Telephone (requires a $1.00 verification fee) – For additional information, go to the Telephone Change Address FAQ.
​
•Use PS Form 3575 – Change of Address - see image of form below
​
• Go to your Local Post Office™
• Print the Online form and mail or hand it in
• Your mail carrier can bring a COA form to your address
​
Please Note: If you do not wish to pay the $1.00 verification fee then you have two (2) options:
1. Go to your local Post Office and complete the PS Form 3575 – Change of Address in person.
2. Complete the Change of Address form online, print the form, and mail or hand in to your local Post Office
​
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Stupid of the owner that don't fix the hot water side leaking, the only need replace is just a o ring or something and it won't cost even 50 cents, decided to screw tenant which is not good thing.

BUT yeah your right, some scammers would look up house that has been foreclosed, actually rents out to somebody unknowingly that it is scam. Happens already. So, when one wants to rent a house or apartment, best find out if the owner is legit. It is not hard to find out, contact county clerk in your area and they can verify for you. Meaning if the house is on foreclosure, clerk will tell you that and you can bail out the agreement.

deafdrummer said:
That is why I will never, ever a-F*-gain rent a house. Never a-DGF-gain!!! I rented a house with two other people from some lady from AFRICA with some name like Odenigwe. They were really handing out loans to people who could fog a mirror. I know... Because I worked for the Texas Savings and Loan Agency in 2004! We were processing THOUSANDS of Texas mortgage broker and loan officer license applications. A LOT of them were in the major cities, especially Houston. And there were lots of complaints about fraud, misrepresentations of facts, etc. When I moved to Houston a few months later, subdivisions were still going up, and I was wondering, "Where in hell are these people getting the money from?" The question was asked just mere months before I ran into the woman who forever changed my financial life. Anyway, the woman with the house was NOT a landlord, but a RENTER. She wouldn't have repairs done (because the fool didn't think about the hidden costs of home ownership). I had a hot water valve stem in my bathtub so broken that water was literally running out at a slow trickle with the valve completely turned off. We had to get a friend to come over and fix it, pay him for it, and deduct it out of the rent.

Never again!!!
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OK here is what I got from a friend who lives in a stand alone(It could be trailer-ed):
"Extra insulation, separate heater unit from ac unit.
Awnings over windows and doors
Real wood doors
Min 10 year warranty./extra warranty on more than the floor and roof.

Dont finance over 10 years.
Dont get home owners ins through the finance company..period.Very high that way and interest on it
Things start to fall apart year 7
Separate wiring in sections of the home so when you vacuum lights wont dim.

But not bloody likely I would ever do it again.
Upgraded refrig and stove, not the basic ones.
Up graded skirting not that can be damaged by a weed whacker
Large porch not just steps and "treated"



The mark up is crazy.. tell them to demand the extras.
Buy mid year or after june..they want them gone for new models
No refurbished homes unless warrantied and upgraded."
 
CrazyPaul said:
Really?

From USPS.com;
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Really !
The last 2 lines are B.S.
Go in and ask them, they will tell you they dont do the forms anymore and will tell you to go online. Just did mine a couple months back in April when I first moved out.
 
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