The townhome that we're renting is having water problems in the basement! It's a finished basement, and we pay a little more each month to have a finished basement (and also an end unit), but since we moved in last December, we have been having problems with our basement carpet being wet. This is now the fifth time this has happened. Each time it happens, maintenance comes out and "extracts the water", gives us a blower, and that solves the problem......until the next time it rains. We're fed up with this, and I am really getting concerned about mold that might be growing down there now.....we have a toddler, and I don't want to put her health in jeopardy, or ours for that matter.
I left a message at the rental office and they just called me back saying they're having someone come out to take a look at it. There really isn't anything they can do except keep sucking up the water, but we're getting sick of dealing with this and don't feel like we should have to. If this were a house we owned, we would have had the problem permanently fixed the first time. And when this first happened, I expressed to the staff that I was concerned this would be an ongoing problem every time it rained (or snowed). I just don't consider it a liveable space anymore.
On top of that, we had an electrical problem in our place that nobody could figure out for a whole month. They finally were able to give us a temporary fix by disconnecting a couple of the circuits, which left us without power to one of our wall outlets and the front door light outside for another month! It may have been longer, but I finally called and asked if they were going to fix it. They finally did, but I don't think I should have had to call and remind them. :cussing:
We're just tired of all this and want to get out of here! We don't like this place and are not satisfied with how they have handled our problems. On top of all that, we filed a claim with our moving company back in April, and they still haven't gotten back to us. DH had to call nine times yesterday before he even got somebody on the phone! I have tried to be nice about all this and have told myself that they're doing what they can, but my patience has run out. Thanks for letting me vent.
It is so frustrating to have to depend on someone else to fix things........I would definatly be concerned with the flooding and the possibility of mold. Whats the use of having a finished basement if you can't use it !?!?!?!?!?
Of course the electrical problem should never have happened....BLAH !!!
And having to deal with moving company problems - you are getting bombarded - aren't you - you deserve to SCREAM !!!!
Are you thinking of moving...or just going to try and bear with it?
Barb,
We want to get a house of our own; we're tired of putting up with this. The last time this happened they said that they never had a water problem with our unit until we moved in. I find that hard to believe. The water was coming down the wall and we could see the water moving across the floor, under our storage boxes, and down the drain! We documented it on videotape and have pictures of the other times it has happened in the past. I have also been writing down each occurrance, so we have a long list!
Time to put on the heat. Call the county health department, tell them your story and that you are concerned about the possibility of mold and the health of your child. If there is an ombudsman in your area, call his office and ask them what to do. If any of your local newspapers or TV stations have a consumer hot-line, get on it and tell them your story. If your state/city has a department that deals with renter/landlord issues, call them. To quote Dr. Phil, people like your landlord do things like this "Because they can!" You've given them every opportunity to fix this and they refuse. You now need to turn the spotlight on them. They'll not be happy but will learn that in your case, you won't just lie back and take it. Make it your hobby to go through the yellow pages, and/or governmental pages of your phone book and call everyone who could be remotely related to this problem. You'll get lots of referrals and I'll bet after the first call to them for an interview/explanation, you will get some action.
I agree with Rich. There will certainly be a government agency that will be interested in this problem. With all the attention in the last few years on mold, I would think that all you would have to do is say the word and someone will listen. You were smart to videotape the water coming in and to keep track of the occurences.
Is your complex run by a property management company or is it a small number of units and owned by an individual? Even if it is an individual, he should have a business license, which could be in your favor. Let us know what happens and you are more than welcome to vent anytime you need to!
Yuck. That sounds like no fun. I hope you guys are able to find the house you want, where you want it at a good price, so you can get out of there. Good luck with the moving company too!
We should get together sometime this summer!
Good for you, for documenting EVERYTHING. :thumb:
Rich had some really great ideas. You don't want to come off as someone who just sits and takes this. Water damage is just horrible, and causes so many other problems that are worse. There's got to be an agency out there that can light a fire under someone to do something about this. So sorry you are going through this cr@p.
Keep looking for the right little house that is out there somewhere for you and your family.