As a tenant in an apartment building or rental home, you may not realize that your lease guarantees you the right to a certain level of safety and security. You should be able to go to sleep at night without worrying that a careless landlord has left you at risk for an accident or injury.
If you’re injured while living in a rental unit, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against your landlord or the owner of your apartment complex to help pay for your recovery.
For example, your landlord may be found negligent if they fail to maintain the front steps of your apartment complex and you slip and fall, or if they fail to adequately secure your apartment complex and a third party breaks in and harms you.
Premises liability basics
The area of law that determines whether a landlord can be held liable for an injury sustained in a rental unit is called premises liability law.
In general, there are two time periods when a landlord can potentially be held liable:
- Before giving the tenant possession of the rental property. Before giving you possession of a rental property, your landlord must conduct a reasonable inspection of the property for unsafe conditions. Your landlord must then repair any unsafe conditions that are discovered or should have been discovered. If your landlord fails to do so and you suffer an injury as a result of the dangerous condition, your landlord may be held liable.
- After giving the tenant possession of the rental property. It would be unfair to require your landlord to know about and repair all dangerous conditions after you move into the rental property given that your landlord doesn’t have the right to enter your rental without your permission.
As a result, most states won’t hold landlords responsible for injuries on the premises that are caused by dangerous conditions that came into existence after possession has passed to the tenant, with two big exceptions:
- When the landlord had actual knowledge of the dangerous condition (this is why it’s important to tell your landlords about any dangerous conditions and give them a reasonable amount of time to repair them), and
- When the injury occurred in a common area over which the landlord has complete control (for example, common hallways, exterior stairs, elevators, and sidewalks).
Slip and falls in and around the rental property
One of the most common causes of tenant injury is a slip and fall accident. Negligence on the part of a landlord or property owner is often the cause of a slip and fall accident. For example, if your landlord failed to install proper lighting or failed to remove obstacles from a stairway, they are probably negligent if you slip and fall as a result.
Every year, thousands of people sustain injuries ranging from minor scratches to traumatic brain injuries as a result of slip and fall accidents. The National Floor Safety Institute found that 50% of all accidental deaths in the home are due to injuries sustained when falling. Injuries from falls account for more than eight million emergency room visits every year.
Slip and fall accidents can result in broken bones, spinal trauma and head injuries, leaving you with costly medical bills.
According to the National Safety Council, falls in the home most commonly occur in these areas:
- Doorways
- Stairs
- Ramps
- Ladders
- Areas that have uneven surfaces
- Crowded areas
Common causes of slip and fall accidents in rental properties include:
- Uneven flooring
- Moisture on floors
- Loose rugs or mats
- Worn out carpeting
- Freshly waxed or mopped floors
- Parking lot potholes
- Defective sidewalks
- Icy stairs or sidewalks
- Poorly constructed staircases
- Cluttered Floors
- Loose floorboards
Proving fault in a slip & fall accident
Your landlord's insurance company may cover your injuries without any pushback, or you may need to hire a personal injury attorney to assist with your claim.
To prove that a property owner or landlord is liable for your injuries, you’ll typically need to establish that:
- A dangerous condition existed on the rental property,
- Your landlord knew or should have known about the dangerous condition, and
- Your injury was caused by the dangerous condition
To prove these three things, you or your attorney will likely need to collect some or all of the following evidence:
- Photographs of the dangerous condition
- Proof that your landlord was aware of the dangerous condition (e.g., an email, text, or letter informing your landlord about the condition)
- Medical records
- Surveillance footage
- Eyewitness testimony
Could you be at fault for your slip and fall injury?
As a tenant, it’s possible to be partially at fault for your slip and fall accident.
You might be partially at fault for your slip and fall accident if:
- You caused the dangerous condition,
- You failed to notify your landlord about the dangerous condition, or
- You were running, intoxicated, or otherwise acting recklessly when you slipped and fell
States have adopted different approaches to determine how a plaintiff’s degree of responsibility may impact their personal injury claim. Here are the four major approaches that have been adopted:
- Pure contributory negligence. In states that have adopted this rule, no damages can be recovered if you’re partially at fault for your injuries (even if you’re only 1 percent at fault).
- Pure comparative negligence. In states that have adopted this rule, the damages you can recover are simply reduced by your percentage of fault.
- Modified comparative fault rule (50%). In states that have adopted this rule, you must be less than 50 percent at fault to recover any damages, and your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
- Modified comparative fault rule (51%). In states that have adopted this rule, you must be less than 51 percent at fault to recover any damages, and your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
The eggshell skull rule
The "eggshell skull rule" holds that the defendant's liability won't be reduced just because the plaintiff is more susceptible to injury than the average plaintiff.
Tenant suing an apartment complex landlord for medical bills and lost wages after a slip and fall.
John returns home to his apartment complex after being on vacation for a week. It's the middle of winter and a snowstorm has created a thick sheet of ice on the apartment complex steps. Despite several complaints by others in the apartment complex, the landlord has failed to treat or remove the ice from the steps.
As John is walking up the steps, he slips and falls on his side. John, who has hemophilia, begins to bleed excessively. He is rushed to the hospital and misses 2 weeks of work as a result of the injury.
John sues his landlord for $100,000.
John's landlord argues that an otherwise healthy person would have suffered minor scrapes from the fall and he should only be responsible for paying the damages associated with minor scrapes.
The court holds that, under the eggshell skull rule, the landlord is responsible for all of John's medical bills and lost wages.
Can your landlord be held liable for the criminal acts of a third party?
Landlords typically have a duty to use "ordinary care" to protect against "foreseeable" criminal acts.
You probably can’t hold your landlord liable for your injuries if your apartment was considered safe and secure before a criminal unexpectedly broke in and harmed you.
On the other hand, you might be able to hold your landlord liable if your landlord failed to maintain even basic security systems (door locks, outdoor lights, etc.), or you told your landlord that you were at risk of being harmed and your landlord failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the harm.
Employees are the landlord's responsibility
Landlords must provide careful screening for both employees and tenants on their properties. If they don't, they could be held liable if a crime is committed.
Colleen M. Quinn runs the Women's Injury Law Center out of the firm Locke & Quinn in Richmond, VA, where she is a partner. The Center once provided services for a client who was raped, stabbed and left to die by a maintenance worker at her apartment complex.
Colleen and her client launched a civil case against the temp agency that employed the worker, which failed to do a thorough criminal background check on him, and the apartment complex that did not allow tenants to install deadbolts in their apartments.
Both companies were found liable and the woman received $3 million in settlement, which helped cover her therapy and other recovery needs, including her move to a house in a safer part of town with a security system.
Victims who are raped or assaulted in their own homes may not realize that there are potential civil recoveries that they can receive from their landlords. While there can be compensation in a criminal trial, it is often minimal compared to a potential civil case outcome, Colleen said.
She notes: "A civil lawyer can make sure that every stone has been turned over and that all remedies are looked into."
When is a landlord liable for injuries to a third party?
A landlord’s duties to a third party (such as a friend or relative of the tenant visiting the rental unit) are similar to the duties a landlord owes a tenant. Once the landlord turns over possession, the landlord is typically only liable for:
- Injuries to third parties caused by dangerous conditions that the landlord knew or should have known about, and
- Dangerous conditions that exist in common areas
Although it takes only a split second for a fall or criminal activity to happen in your rental home, the physical pain, emotional trauma, and medical expenses can last for the rest of your life. When the situation was caused by your landlord, whether intentional or not, you may be entitled to compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Have you been injured or victimized in any way as a tenant in a rental property? Did you take legal action against your landlord? Please share your story below.
Other popular landlord-tenant and negligence articles:
- Proving negligence
- When are landlords liable for tenant injuries in California?
- Mold in apartments: Do I have a lawsuit?
- Can an apartment complex be liable for negligent security?
- Can I sue my landlord for allowing a hostile living environment?
- Landlord/Tenant dispute questions
- Lead poisoning lawsuits
William Wulzyn says
I rent an apartment I was robbed Safety was aparantly concern .No deadbolt High bushes at back door where break in occured I am a heart patient scared to go back in
Lisa Banks says
Hi William. That is truly terrible. Would you consider speaking with a lawyer? They may be able to help you get things in order. You can start in our directory here: https://www.enjuris.com/directory/
Rebecca G Green says
I’m currently renting a 1br in a triple n I have a piece of plywood where my window should be n I’ve told my landlord about it not long after I moved in n all she said was she’d chk into it. I finally got the maintenance here to chk my AC just to have him cuss at me and threaten to leave when I simply said why I have a box fan in my living room window in this heat. Needless to say I’m not happy.
Ryan Buerk says
On Saturday March 24,2018 I called the landlord to inform them that my apartment door wouldn’t latch or even lock. Later that evening, Pamela Williams one of the landlords text me back saying Billy had checked on the door and said just had to jiggle it and lift up to lock it,and that they would have maintenance get it repaired when they can. Two weeks later door still not fixed, I returned home from work around 3:30-3:45am to find the apartment had been robbed. I contacted Taylorville PD to report it and insurance company and landlords. After insurance company covered what they did was still left with a big lose after deductible and what they wouldn’t cover, I had talked with Pamela at the apartment complex roughly about a month and a half after and was told after everything was finalized with insurance company to let them know what the end difference was that insurance company didn’t cover and they’d work something out. On August 1st I informed the landlords that I was in the process of filing a lawsuit against them for lost personal belongings and that I wasn’t paying them the rent until court was settled. Before I could get to courthouse to file the paperwork they ran up there n filed eviction proceedings in retaliation to the conversation I had with her. Why should I have to deal with 5he lady landlord verbally attacking me everywhere I happen to run into her, whether it’s at grocery store or gas station even at a red light, she got out of her car started hitting my vehicle with a wooden chair leg or something to where I had to run the red light I was stopped at.
Carrie Warren says
Yikes! What a terrible situation. I’d get in touch with the local police about what happened at the red light, Ryan. From there, you probably need to talk to an attorney about how to recover your losses from the robbery. Here’s a link to our attorney directory – https://www.enjuris.com/directory/ – I hope it helps.
Angelica Sanchez says
So about a month ago I got into an altercation with my ex-boyfriend who was still living with me at the time, but the altercation ended with the police being called for domestic abuse. He moved out of the apartment complex and he signed the lease to me. After the incident occurred I spoke with the building manager about reaching out to the landlord in regards to possibly getting out of the last 6 months of my year and a half lease because I didn’t want my ex knowing where I lived anymore due to not feeling safe at home. After a month of requesting information from the landlord through the manager and advising that my ex had gotten into the key-entry front gate three separate times now and I don’t feel comfortable or safe I was then told that the landlord was not responding, but also that the building has been sold and there will be new management. Also the manager told me that he doesn’t think my ex will do anything and that I’ll be fine so not to worry and In case anything happens my next door neighbor and across-the-hall neighbor are there and that the neighbor from across the hall is willing to get in a fight if needed. I’m trying to avoid anymore incidents occurring at the apartment complex as well as wanting to find a home that feels safe without my exes knowledge. Am I able to do anything in this circumstance?
Bella says
I was robbed at my apartments and thrown down the stairs I dont remember what happened to me but my kid witnessed and told me. I suffered a TBI and back injury. The exterior lights at the apartments had been out for over a month, pitch black and I reported it several times as it is a high crime area and we lived in the back close to property wall where people jump the fence. Can I sue for inadequate light and security?
Nancy Rapp says
Hello Bella. I’m so sorry to hear what happened to you. It’s hard to say if you would have a case, though it certainly sounds possible. Your best bet is to take pictures of where you live–with the lights, etc.–and also to bring documentation of telling your landlord about the lights to a free personal injury attorney consultation. Use our directory of personal injury lawyers to find one closest to you.
Nancy Rapp says
Hello Angelica. I’m sorry to hear about your situation. If you believe you ex is a threat to your safety, I strongly encourage that you speak with your local law enforcement about getting a restraining order. You may not be able to get out of your lease contract without a penalty, but at least you’ll be protected.
Anthony E. says
I have a neighbor that has threatened the safety of my wife and myself. He slipped a note into our mailbox threatening to harm us. We called the policed and made a report. We also called our landlord 3 times, left three different messages, and sent her a text wut the copy of the threatening note. It has been about 24 hours and they still have not contacted us. If something happens to us or our property, could our landlords be liable?
Nancy Rapp says
Hello Anthony. Based on what you’ve written, it doesn’t seem like your landlord would be liable. You would need to look at your lease and see if there was anything in the contract about disputes between neighbors. Otherwise, this is purely an issue for the police.
Delores says
I just wanted to know if i have a lawsuit for myself and boyfriend we were attacked in the parking lot of the rental property where we reside by a friend of the property manger
Nancy Rapp says
Hello Delores. I’m sorry that you were attacked. As a rule, your landlord isn’t liable for what happened. A personal injury attorney would need more details to see if there is any way you have a case. We encourage you to use our attorney directory to find a lawyer near you. You can sue your attacker for damages, though.
ROBERTO REBOLLEDO says
Our landlord is trying to charge the tenants for a latch on a security door that keeps breaking. No proof of anyone who did it. At the same time cars have been broken into, in the parking lot and she still never saw a need to fix a broken security door. Are we as tenants liable for the lack of security measure in an area where reaccurring crime has been proven?
Nancy Rapp says
Hello Roberto. A bit of a tricky situation without further details, and it would depend on your lease. Your landlord can charge the tenants to fix the lock, generally speaking, but it is still his/her responsibility to fix it.
Mike Sims says
The new management of these section 8 apartments that my 74 year old mother has lived in for over 20 years recently created a new policy where everyone who had an extra security screen door on their apartment had to allow staff to remove the door. They are trying to say that the door is unsafe if there is a fire … which is ridiculous because its just a door, but the added security that it provided my mother both literally and for her peace of mind is priceless Yet today, they removed her security door that she paid for over 20 years ago (no, no refund will be issued) … is this even legal? Are they not putting tenants at risk in this high crime neighborhood by removing these doors? This is in California.
Nancy Rapp says
Hello Mike. Typically changes made due to fire safety are allowed by law. The management is probably allowed to remove the door. If other aspects of the property are unsafe, however, be sure that a complaint is made to management and that all illegal activity is documented with the police and your own records.
Beverly Duplant says
Our apartment manager was mugged and robbed today. She is wanting to keep it quiet. I think each person in complex need to be notified in writing for their own safety. Is it not a law that they be notified?
Kristi says
Hello. I recently stepped on uneven pavement in the parking lot of my apartment complex and fractured my right ankle. I had to call 911 aa I live a lone and had no other way to get medical care. I would have called a Lyft but I was unable to get back outside due to the pain level. I had contacted the apartment complex and their corporate office to ensure 1: my car will be okay bc I cannot drive it. They said yes. 2. Mailing my check to them bc it wouldn’t get to them by the first. I used to drop it off to their corporate office bc we cannot pay in the complex office. I was told as long it was postmarked by the 3rd I was good. I had mailed it out before the 1st as they haven’t earned my trust. 3. I asked if they had insurance for injuries occurring to their property and I have her to get an answer. However, today I received the letter for my renewal and my rent went up 90 bucks. The letter was dated 2 days after I told them about fracturing my ankle. Also, they haven’t been doing their job when fixing stuff needed to be fixed in a reasonable time frame. Including the ac twice in 7 months taking a week both counts, plus other issues. The second time the ac broke I had called the emergency line. The first time it was less than 85 the second it was above 85 they wouldn’t come to fix it I wrote a letter stating that If it was not fixed the next day (been a week at this point) I would put my money in escrow until it was fixed. With them raising my rent 90 bucks for the lease renewal… can this be seen as retaliation. Also regarding the injury trying to use their insurance for what was an accident on uneven patch of pavement to help with the crazY medical bills. Can I do anything on both counts?
Lance Buchanan says
Thanks for sharing your story, Kristi. That’s a great question. Unfortunately, we can’t answer it for sure without knowing more details about your case. We recommend writing down all of these points and gathering all the emails or communication with your apartment complex, then scheduling a consultation with a personal injury attorney near you to talk about your legal rights and whether it’s worth filing a claim. The attorney may even be able to negotiate on your behalf with the apartment complex or their insurance company to help get you compensation without going to court. Feel free to use our directory of attorneys if you choose to go this route: https://www.enjuris.com/directory/. Hope your ankle gets better soon!
Lance Buchanan says
Thanks for sharing, Beverly. Though your comment doesn’t specify, we’re assuming the apartment manager was mugged on site. Some states have statutes or ordinances that require landlords to disclose information related to criminal activity. However, we’re not aware of any such statutes that require a landlord to provide this information without prompting. Some states require a landlord to disclose prior criminal history on the premises IF ASKED.
That being said, a landlord/property manager does owe certain duties to their tenants. So, even if there is not a specific statute requiring a landlord to disclose this information, the landlord might be found negligent if, for example, someone in the complex is mugged in the future and the landlord failed to take the “reasonable step” of making the tenants aware of the prior mugging or installing dead bolts, motion lights, etc. Keep in mind that the plaintiff would have to show that he or she would not have been mugged if the landlord had taken the above-described steps (which, depending on the circumstances, might be difficult to show).
Hope that helps!
Ronnie Sims says
I am looking for a good personal injury attorney. I was attacked and sustained back injuries inside a sober living home I lived at by an individual who lived there also. The individual was arrested. I appreciate if anyone could recommend a solid knowledgable attorney experienced in this area of representation.
Ciara says
I live in an apartment complex with my two children that is gated and the gate has been open since thanksgiving 2018 and I recently had all four of my tires slashed with a knife by a disgruntled ex on my birthday 12/15 who also happens to be the father of my children. He wouldn’t have been able to get into my complex if the gate was working properly. I have filed a police report and I even went to my leasing office and they stated they are not liable. Is that true? I am terrified for the safety of my children and myself due to the gate being stuck open for anyone to come in at anytime.
Lance Buchanan says
Thanks for reaching out, Ronnie! Back injuries are tough, and often serious. We suggest asking your friends and family to see if they have any recommendations. We also invite you to check out free directory of personal injury attorneys for help finding an experienced lawyer near you. Simply go to this page and select your state to start browsing: https://www.enjuris.com/directory/
Lance Buchanan says
Thanks for sharing, Ciara. That sounds like an uncomfortable situation and we’re sorry to hear that you fear endangerment. Aside from pursuing legal action in criminal court against your ex (i.e. a restraining order), you’ll have to talk with a personal injury lawyer to determine if you can pursue compensation for property damage. If it’s only tires that were slashed, it may not be worth hiring an attorney – but most lawyers offer a free initial consultation so they can review your case at no cost to you. The attorney will also be able to tell you if the apartment complex is liable, as this may depend on the details specified under your lease. Be sure to bring a copy of your lease with you when you meet with an attorney.
Monay says
My apt complex manager had me talk to my neighbor who lives below me abt the noise they make after he denied it altogether with them. They told me to call the police if it continued and I did. They have since told him everything I told them in confidence and now he knows it is me out of 4 other neighbors that have complained. He, the maintenance person and a rep from the office came to my door and my neighbor began yelling at me abt what was being told to him that I said. This guy is a good 6 feet 250lls. Now things are worse for me, HE BUMPS AND BANGS EVEN MORE NOW. I cannot sleep in my bed due to the noise underneath my bedroom therefore cannot get a good night sleep. I have no choice but to move. this has created an unexpected expense for me that I really cannot afford at this time. Doing a security plus first month plus hiring ,movers will be well over $2000. Is there anything I can do?
Allan austin says
I own the clothing store that I rent in the commercial building in Newark New Jersey, my establishment has been robbed several times two times over a five-year. Each time I have pleaded with my landlord to add cameras and better lighting to no avail the last robbery at my store,,this last robbery was very traumatic shots were fired I was pistol-whipped the robbers lock me inside of my door inside of my store my back door to the establishment has always been…cemtemted close ,which is an fire hazard death trap
Lance Buchanan says
Thanks for sharing, Monay. Unfortunately, there’s likely little you can do legally in terms of suing your neighbor since moving was your choice. While it sounds like that’s the best decision for you personally, it would be difficult to prove in civil court that the neighbor is liable for your moving costs. Best of luck and we hope your next neighbors are more considerate!
Jennifer Larson says
We moved into our apartment complex in August and reported speeding/traffic problems immediately after we started living there. When I did so, I provided temporary/easy solutions to help until they worked out a long-term one, and have checked in numerous times with multiple people in management, but nothing has changed. People peel in off the busy road/highway, swerve around speed bumps, ignore stop signs entirely in spite of visibility, children, pets, etc. Our neighbors have been hit. We avoid going outside by the cars unless going directly to ours. In my last check-in with management, the woman said she was one of the people who goes around speed bumps and insinuated there was no problem and I was to ignore the clear safety issues. She also suggested I follow cars in the parking lot and confront them once I found them. I find this egregious. I am starting to log violations now, but I don’t want to spend all of my free time sitting outside in Michigan winter taking notes. It’s been six months. What should I do? Wait until someone in my family eventually gets hurt and sue? I want to have a safe environment for my neighbors and I, not wait for the shoe to drop.
Lisa Partaker says
Illegal activities (drug dealing, etc) have been happening in the nextdoor unit for months now. We’ve reported each altercation and nuisance to the landlord and to the local police. The landlord says, his hands are tied. However, according to local tenants rights documents and on the word of the police, this is not correct. They can be evicted. Recently, the actions of our neighbors has escalated. Two days ago, after my husband witnessed 20 individuals becoming violent in front of our duplex, shots were fired. By the time the police arrived, they’d scattered. We couldn’t find the shell casings, thus no report was made. Tonight, one of these ‘visitors’ hit our parked car in front of our apartment. My husband saw them as they left the scene. The front fender is damaged. Because of the landlord’s continued allowance of the neighbors criminal activity, is he responsible for the damages incurred as a result of actions taken by them and/or their guests?
Ian Pisarcik says
Lisa,
In many states, a landlord has a duty to protect their tenants from the criminal acts of other tenants. In some states this responsibility extends to the surrounding area outside the apartment. We would recommend speaking with an attorney in your area who specializes in landlord-tenant law to see what options you may have.
Ian Pisarcik says
Jennifer,
It sounds like there have been attempts in your area to slow the traffic (speed bumps, etc.). As a result, you might have a difficult time making out a negligence claim. While your landlord might be required to take safety measures, she isn’t required to guarantee that people adhere to those safety measures. Nevertheless, I would recommend talking to (a) the local police to make sure they are aware of the problem, and (b) a landlord-tenant attorney in your area to see if there are any state-specific ordinances that might be applicable.
Ali-Marie Roman says
I just moved into my apartment 2 1/2 weeks ago, i was having family dinner a few nights ago..i dont have livingroom furniture yet, so my family member where sitting on bean bag chairs and one person sat on the stairs..my family member seen in a crease in my apartment going up the stairs which looked like gum he picked at it to remove it …it flung across room he goes to pick it up and it was a small bag of drugs. It was painted over into a crease i called the police station to have them double check to make sure it was drugs they confirmed that it was …i have a 5 year old autism spectrum daughter who could have ate that and died. Im not happy. They did a reinspection and claimed there is nothing else in my home. But why was it not removed to begin with they carelessly painted my house if that was painted over i have videos of everything that happened. What steps should i proceed with?
Ian Pisarcik says
Ali-Marie,
I’m sorry this happened to you. Your landlord has an obligation to look for and remove dangerous objects. The difficulty with your case will be proving that the landlord (a) saw the drugs, or (b) should have seen the drugs. Another challenge with your case will be showing that there was an injury. You can’t generally recover damages for something that could have happened – and in this case, it doesn’t appear that anyone was actually injured. Nevertheless, you might consider meeting with a landlord-tenant attorney in your area in case there is a specific law in your state that might help you recover damages.
Natalie Grogan says
Hi, I have a question regarding what kind of action I should be taking as a renter. Currently, I am living just on the outskirt of the city in an apartment – I have only been here since December, living with a good friend of mine. Here is some background; just two weeks ago my friends older model, civic honda, had its converter sawed off which ended up cutting into the transmission costing her $1000 in damages. She filed a police report, met with the landlord and property manager – and it is not that they did not care, but they are not necessarily taking any actions. There are security cameras on the property and we never even heard a follow up whether they were checked or not even though we were told they would be. Now current situation I was “targeted” 1-2 days ago. I found my car (which was just parked right outside of the apartment door front row (IN LIGHT)) with the drives door open. Nothing was missing out of my car, thankfully that’s because I had just cleaned it the day before. HOWEVER, I did have a blanket layed across in the back I had just washed and was too lazy to bring in which makes me think this is what led to my car being targeted — thinking like a criminal that there would be valuables underneath the blanket. Anyways it appears that the criminal entered through the driver’s side and they even left a “tool” that we believe was used for precision to make it an easy break-in, just right in the passenger’s seat of my car. I notified the property manager, and she has not gotten back to me, I feel very violated and unsafe, and I do not believe proper precautions are being taken. I do not think she has even notified other residents of the criminal activity which worries me. What can I do in this case where I feel like my needs as a renter are being ignored? At the very least I am filing a police report for documentation. Sidenote I had also just had a $100 package stolen from me within the apartment last week and no action was taken beside an email responding “I am sorry to hear that, stay warm!” LOOKING FOR ANY ADVICE.
Ashley says
I just moved into an apartment complex I received notification I was going to be fined for not parking in my parking spot and I was not parking in my spot due to another tenant parking in my spot when I approached that tenant telling them to not park in my spot she then jumped me beat me up and I have a broken nose amongst other injuries and I just feel unsafe and I don’t know what to do in this situation I have nobody in this area because I moved from out of state and I’m just wondering what my rights are and what my landlord is technically responsible for
Michelle Hatch says
I was just issued three CSPOs on 2/13/2109 against tenants in my building. In 2014 I was assaulted and it was caught on audio, but the prosecutor couldn’t see the tenants face, so I was directed to mediation. The hearing was successful but the tenants broke the agreement within weeks. I have continued to be harrassed and bullied since then, The landlord has done nothing, even after he has promised not to renew their lease in 2015. Because they can get away with things, their attacks have become more aggressive, menacing, and threatening. My adult children and grandchildren are now under attack. This began in October 2018 when they accosted my son, his fiance and their newborn daughter leaving our building. My family called and sent text messages that night and in the days following; all went unanswered. They finally wrote a letter telling my landlord of their intentions to take further action if that happened to them again. My worst fears have happened as they recently accosted my 14-year old grandson while he took my recycling out to the can. My daughter was able to get a lot of the incident on her phone. As always there are the rants proclaiming their wishes for me to fall down the stairs and break my neck (I have ambulatory issues from surgery) and most horrifying that they want the baby to die. I can no longer live like this. I am not going to be scared away from my home. I do not have a car and my job is at the church next door where I work as a preschool teacher. I have three separate CSPOs ex parte. The hearing is on February 27th with all witnesses. I also applied for a legal aid lawyer, but will not know if I will have my case accepted until early next week. I am filled with anxiety, fear, and uncertainty and although I have these CPOs they live 4 feet away from my doors. I live alone and many of their actions are under the radar. I have heard nothing from my landlords since telling them I have been awarded these protective orders. My daughter is furious as my rights to quiet enjoyment and a safe environment have been violated by these tenants for over 5 years. I actually found a website where I can create a will just to have my affairs in order should something happen to me. I just don’t know what to do.
Tanya Roy says
my neighbor on the second floor change the security door lock and did not give us a key nor did they give the landlord a key what are my rights
Ian Pisarcik says
Ashley,
Your landlord probably doesn’t have any liability unless your landlord had reason to believe the tenant was dangerous. However, the other tenant is certainly liable for your injuries (medical expenses, etc.). I would recommend contacting an attorney in your area. Most attorneys will provide free initial consultations.
Ian Pisarcik says
Tanya,
Is the security door on the outside of the apartment? In other words, do you need to get through the security door to get to your apartment? If so, the landlord needs to change the lock and provide you with a key. If the landlord doesn’t do so, you would have a right to file a lawsuit as your landlord is essentially preventing you from living in your apartment.
Rick Chapman says
I am disabled for various health issues, including a mental disorder and balance. We live on the 3rd floor. The building has an elevator. I got on the elevator to run an errand and as soon as the door closed, there was a loud sound, like snapping metal, followed by the elevator in total free-fall. It only took a couple of seconds to reach the first floor and when it did, it jerked suddenly and stopped. Of course I first felt it in my lower back (I already have a bad disc), and it didn’t hurt that much. Then a couple hours later, it hurt more. When I woke up today, I could barely move or stand. My question is…when I see my doctor about it and she orders x-rays, the tech will want to know how I hurt it. Should I lie? We just moved in last October and I do not want retribution from the complex. But at the same time, I mentioned the elevator issue to another resident later that morning, and she said, “I was told by the office not to use the elevator…THERE WERE NO SIGNS OR NOTES ON EITHER FLOOR. Later that day, Otis Elevator truck was there repairing it.
Jose says
At the complex where I stay with my girlfriend, no security driving around no assigned parking stalls they never fix anything and never seen the landlords or neighbors.. nobody is ever outside and at night we got loud music and the cops don’t do anything or believe any reports.
Dennis says
On January 21 this year, I had gone to my apartment complex office to turn in the keys to my apartment and mailbox; had been there almost 3-1/2 years, and having financial difficulties, was voluntarily vacating my unit and the property as a whole. When I walked thru the door, I immediately stumbled on something and fell into a counter on the right of the door soon as walking in. My wrist and fingers on the right hand caught the edge of the counter, and the middle of my forearm caught all my weight on the edge of the counter. Was in intense pain, and dazed at what had just happened. The girl working the desk had received a delivery earlier that morning, and the delivery person had put the items on the floor at the door, just inside. They were 4-inches square, and about 8 feet long, and hard to see. the girl commented she had received them earlier, but hadn’t done anything with them at the time. Was in horrible pain, but did not go see a doctor. Two months later, and now I have recurring pain in my right arm, with a hurting numbness-type feeling, and pains that just shoot through my arm. Is it too late to see a doctor and hold them accountable? Was told by an individual that I had 60 days to pursue an issue such as this. Thank you.
Ian Pisarcik says
Rick,
You certainly shouldn’t lie to your doctor. Tell your doctor the truth. Your doctor is prohibited from communicating this information to your landlord. You might also want to talk to an attorney to see if you have any legal recourse against the building owner or the manufacturer of the elevator.
Gina M Vanselow says
I live in an apt upstairs (26 stairs up..concrete) 8 months after I moved in, i was diagnosed with heart failure and siezure disorder. I almost cant physically walk these stairs any longer. Ive had a handful of seizures on them ,busted my head open…i need to move to one of the lower units asap but the property management has done or said anything more about it. What can I do
Ian Pisarcik says
Gina,
Are there elevators in your apartment complex? Most (but not all) buildings are required to have elevators under the Americans with Disability Act. However, it is unlikely you can force your landlord to move your apartment. I would recommend talking to a disability attorney in your area.
Ian Pisarcik says
Dennis,
You have more than 60 days to bring a personal injury lawsuit. Usually, you have 2-3 years (though it depends on the state). I would recommend talking to an attorney in your area as soon as possible.
Jay lymn says
I live in workplace accommodation i came home from work i watered my garden i did spill a few drops of water on the floor i went to go back inside stepped up the step took a step or too then slipped on the tiled floor i though i had sprained my ankle very badly i went to the hospital had exrays they said it wasnt broken just bad sprain had amost a week of work then back to work on crutches it seemed to be ok for awhile with pain but i was abke to work on it slowly being a causal i wasnt not paid so i needed to return to work ive since keft that job and i have new jib ankke was stil very sore went seen dr had new exray foot is broken that was in dec its now February when dr said it broken im now in a moonboot it april my
Helo me with my rights as i had another slip down some wet stairs respained it i thought but dr has said cause it is still broken from dec accident and respaining it has nade my brojen foot worse
Dela says
The maintenance guy tried to fix a broken pipe with duct tape and some other do it yourself things
. A month later the pipes broke and flooded my whole apartment and I don’t have renters insurance.. Am I liable for the damages??
Alex says
I have noises neighbors and they drink all night and as kmj e and do drugs can l stop paying rent
violett says
Hello,
I’m a victim of domestic violence and recently my ex came to my home slashed my tires, and busted out all my living room windows. He was caught and arrested for 2 criminal trespass and simple assault. I let my landlord know and they told me I was responsible for the damages because I knew him. Tried to explain the relationship was over and he came to my home in rage. I have a restraining order against him now, and police report to proof this. They let me out of my lease because I don’t feel safe there anymore but I had to pay this last rent, which I paid 4/1 but now they say I have to pay the window damages which is $895 by the end of the month. The landlord paid and fix the windows already. Couldn’t they take it out of my deposit? Am I liable to pay for those damages since it was a criminal case?
Elizabeth Bragg says
Our locked mailbox was broken into, and while the apartment fixed the locks and got us new keys, they didn’t notify us. We received zero notification for two days of what had happened, so instead of being able to act right away to freeze accounts, block ID theft, etc., it gave the thief(thieves) time to open accounts, etc. Is there any action we can take against our apartment management for failing to notify? We are now at crazy risk because of it. We only found out because my husband went to check the mail and his key wouldn’t work. Even then the official notification didn’t come out for another 3-4 days. And then it STILL wasn’t notification that someone had broken into our mailbox. It simply said that they have seen a rise in criminal activity and to be careful. Help?
Ian Pisarcik says
Alex,
Before you can even consider stopping paying rent, you have to make your landlord aware of the problem. My advice would be to draft a letter to your landlord detailing your neighbor’s actions and explaining that you don’t feel safe. At that point, your landlord may decide to evict your neighbors.
Ian Pisarcik says
Violett,
You shouldn’t be liable for damages done to your apartment by a third party. I would recommend filing a police report regarding the damages and providing a copy to your landlord. If your landlord persists, you may need to hire an attorney. Check with your local legal aid organization or your State Bar for free (or reduced cost) legal representation.
Ian Pisarcik says
Jay,
You may be able to file a premises liability lawsuit against the facility where you slipped and fell. I would recommend talking to an attorney in your area to discuss your options. In the meantime, take a look at our article on premises liability lawsuits: https://www.enjuris.com/premises-liability/
Solomie Davie says
I live in a apartment complex which is not a very good one. I have neighbor that sleep all day and stay woke all night. I know when I leave home two of them comes in my apartment and steals from me. I won’t buy food anymore, I’ve been here six months and they have been in my place at least six or seven times. Just today I came home and some jewelry was missing. I’ve called the police and told the mangerment no one seems to care they just tell me to move I really can’t afford to move just like that. Seems like they don’t want to deal with the other tenants. What is my rights in this situation? Mangerment always sends out notes but never. follow up on them.
Belle says
I’m a disabled 53 year old with six surgeries on my feet and severe dizziness. My landlord put me in a second floor apartment, when I’ve now found out that she has a first floor apt. that she’s holding empty. Can I make the landlord give me the first floor apt?
F. Sauls says
I very recently moved into an apartment with a man that I thought was my friend, Two weeks ago I got a lease violation on the door saying that he had groped another tenants breast at the laundry mat. Not sure why the other tenant did not call police but I have lots of medical issues and have had multiple strokes. Although he has never shown me that side of him, The apartments he and I lived in prior to moving to this new apartment community I’d heard some talk but did not pay attention much to it, This is stressing me out so bad. He will not sign to let me out of the lease. what can I do? I do not want to have another stroke.
MaryRose says
I have new neighbors. Since they moved in, there has been nothing but dogs barking, them yelling vulgar things at me, and many other issues. My biggest problem is that they have dog cables for their two dogs. They left them wrapped around the post on the gate I use to enter and exit my apartment. It gets wrapped around the fence due to them not pulling them in after using them. My friend tripped over them and hit his head on the pavement. I unhooked the cables before anyone else was hurt. They hooked them up again. I spoke to my landlord, who in turn spoke to them with both parties agreeing that they would be pulled tight after use so as not to get tangled around the gate again. The landlord informed me that I was not to unhook the cables again. There would be a fence put up in about 3 months or so. Well, low and behold, while leaving for work at about 4:30 am, I tripped and fell causing me to hit my head, hip, shoulder and strain my back and neck. They had in the meantime still left the cable tangled around the gate after my fall. I have medical bills, my pain (especially my hip and back) has progressed. My doctor had given me a narcotic for the pain. which has not helped at all. I am returning to the doctor next week due to the pain (I can’t lay on it, I can’t stand for any length of time, I have a hard time getting up most of the time.) It do not believe I will be able to ride my motorcycle again which is one of my passions.
mary says
The owner of our house came at 9:30 at night super drunk. He came in and said this is his F###### house and scared my daughter to death. We called the cops and it took an hour and a half to get there. They said there was nothing we could do and we definitely don’t have the money for a lawyer.
Noe Castellon says
My neighbor is in her 50’s and she was walking down the stairs and slipped and fell down hitting her forehead and getting a concussion. Our building was built in 1994 and has 3 flights of stairs and NO elevators or RAMPS. On top of that the ground is coating with a paint that makes the floors a bit slick (giving me reason to why she fell). They have been negligent in other areas of their business so I am wondering if this apartment complex can be help responsible for this. On top of that moving in was a pain the ass since there were no ramps or elevators.
Ian Pisarcik says
Mary,
I would call the state bar organization in your state. All state bar organization’s have a “referral line” that will refer qualifying people to no-cost or low-cost attorneys.
Ian Pisarcik says
F.Sauls,
I would talk to your landlord and ask your landlord to release you from the lease. If you’re still having trouble, contact a landlord-tenant attorney in your area. The local law school clinic may be able to help you at no cost.
Ian Pisarcik says
Belle,
I would talk to a landlord-tenant attorney in your area to see if there is anything that can be done. Generally, a landlord can’t deny you an apartment because of your disability. But, there may be other reasons the landlord is not renting the apartment.
Ian Pisarcik says
Solomie,
I would reach out to a landlord-tenant attorney in your area. The landlord and police may have a responsibility to investigate the issue, but not much can be done if there’s no proof.
Ian Pisarcik says
Noe,
The apartment complex may be liable in this situation, particularly if the paint they used creates a “dangerous condition.” I would recommend reaching out to a premises liability attorney. For more information on this sort of case, check out our premises liability overview.
Percy myrick says
I am requesting help I live in a complex building which the back doors are locked which is a violation if a fire starts you can’t go out the back I am being treated like I am in a prison requesting a lawyer to file a civil class action lawsuit please I need help I have other tenants in my building that’s willing to step up
Jessieww says
Hi my boyfriend got stabbed in our apartment in Calgary Alberta Canada yesterday and today I woke up to my subsidy workers telling me that the landlord was giving me a 24 hour eviction notice to vacate the premises but never served me a written notice is he even allowed to do this
Catherine says
We had a severe wind storm come through around midnight Friday. Huge trees down on our truck, on our roof, our neighbors roof, our power pole was snapped in half and we’ve had no electricity for 5 days now. Every time I speak to the landlord, it’s excuses. We took it upon ourselves to get estimates and have people come help. We’ve done as much as we possibly could. The landlord obviously didn’t like the estimates given and is looking for the cheapest way out. How long do we have to go without electricity? He himself did not sign the lease. He had a “friend” meet with us and they have had some sort of falling out since then. The “friend” was the one that signed on the “landlord” line. Is it valid?
Brenda says
My adult daughter lives across the street from our home in a duplex that she rents. She is disabled due to Cystic Fibrosis, but is still largely independent, only occasionally requiring our assistance. About 6 months ago, she got a new neighbor on the other half of the duplex. This man has been a nightmare. He plays his music at full volume all hours of the day and night. Smokes inside his bathroom (which shares a ventilation vent with my daughter’s bathroom – and which is strictly forbidden in the lease) and also smokes outside the front door, which then blows right into her bedroom window through the window air conditioning unit. (Smoking anywhere on the property is forbidden, but the landlord never comes around, so he has no idea).
She’s voiced her concerns to the landlord, who just tells her to call the police. She calls the police, who tell her there’s nothing they can do – it’s a landlord issue. Until yesterday. His music was super loud and she was suffering a migraine. She asked him nicely to to please turn down his music. He called her a “itch and told her to get off his property. She stood it as long as she could and then called the police when it was after 10:00 p.m. and the music was still loud. The police came. He refused to answer the door. The police left. As soon as they did, he ran outside, stood under her bedroom window and told her that if she ever called the police on him again he would kill her. So she called the police back and swore out a formal complaint . Called the landlord again, even though it was late and left him a message. She called him this morning again and left him another message. He called her back and told her he was on vacation, but that he wouldn’t renew that tenants lease when it’s up FOUR months from now. This man has threatened my daughter’s life. The police are taking it seriously. I’m wondering if there is anything she/I can do to force the landlord to take more immediate action against this tenant. My daughter has a two year lease.
Sam Ahli says
On February 08th 2019, I was on my way to drop the garbage on the dompter when I felt on the parking lot; I was in intense pain thinking I broke my back because I can not walk. The parking was plowed hours before after snow but ice was built under and I slid and fall . I have to call 911 to go to the hospital. Even before the ambulance come in, I called the landlord office to leave a message. I was lucky that no broken bones or broken back; I went home late night with pain medication. Since then, the hospital bill was coming, I called and sent the bill to the landlord with a note till now no response and to avoid collection I have to pay the bills.
My question is: is the landlord response for the bills, if so what can I do to get back the money I have paid. Thank
Ian Pisarcik says
Sam,
In certain situations, your landlord is responsible for clearing the ice around the apartment. If your landlord fails to do so, you can sue your landlord for reimbursement for your medical bills. This is called a premises liability claim. I would recommend meeting with an attorney in your area to find out if you have a good case. Most attorneys provide initial consultations for free. When you show up to your appointment, be sure to bring your medical records and any other evidence of your slip and fall (pictures, etc.).
Ian Pisarcik says
Jessie,
Generally, in the United States, a landlord needs to provide more than 24 hour notice, but this depends on the terms of the lease agreement. Because you are in Canada, I would recommend speaking with a landlord-tenant lawyer in your area.
Cara says
I was walking my dog and four young men got out of a car, started running around me and my dog yelling the ”n” word at each other. I stepped over to pick her up and one of the young men grabbed her and picked her up holding her away from me. I asked him to put my dog down and he shoved her in my face and withdrew her saying, ”this dog, this dog?” I asked him again to put her down because I was calling the police and I pulled out my phone. He threw my dog to the ground and they all ran off and got in the car and left. I filed a police report the next day. I was talking to a neighbor and they said the young men had been here visiting someone…they do not live in the complex. When I spoke to the manager about the incident and asked why the security gates were never closed, she said the gates were for traffic control not security. I was told when I moved in they were for security and that is why I moved here.
Do I have any rights to get out of my lease to move to a safer place?
Gregg N Nelson says
I was staying in a apartment that is surrounded by several others all owned by the same man.
I was moving in and off loaded my motorcycle off my trailer into the driveway. A neighbor tenant literally out of nowhere begins screaming curse word after curse word at me about the motorcycle and how loud it was although it is a stock exhaust system and is not really loud. I told this man to please go away leave me alone. He went nuts. He began telling me he was going to kill me and smash me in the head with a baseball bat. I quickly pulled out my phone to record the situation. The man did in fact put his shoes on and grab a baseball bat and cane down his strait swinging it at me. I managed to grab ahold of him and hold him. His wife called the police and they tried to say I assaulted him not knowing I had my gf recording the entire event.
The police cane saw the video and arrested this man for felony menacing with a weapon and harassment I believe.
The police informed me that this man who attacked me had had over 40 runs in with the police being called on him at this address and that the DA is prepared to site the landlord for not dealing correctly with a repeat violent bad tenant..
We are still here as is this crazy man or back and we live in fear everyday of retaliation as this man is now facing long sentence of jail time.
The landlord won’t do anything to help us as this man had throw food and garbage onto my vehicle and tries to cause a further issue with us.
We have no idea if a lawyer can help us but we could use the help
Ian Pisarcik says
Brenda,
It sounds like the best option might be for your daughter to get out of the lease. A landlord has a duty to provide a habitable environment. In this situation, it doesn’t sound like the landlord is doing that. I would meet with an attorney in your area (most initial consultations are free) and discuss your options. Though I don’t know all of the details of your situation, my guess is the attorney will draft a letter informing the landlord of the issue and informing the landlord that you will be seeking a new apartment unless the problem tenant is removed. You would then be within your rights to move to a new apartment if he doesn’t comply (and would not be liable for the remaining rent). But again, I would meet with an attorney in your area to discuss the specifics.
Ian Pisarcik says
Cara,
There are a couple things going on here. First, your landlord may have misrepresented the rental by stating that the gates were for security. Second, your landlord has an obligation to provide a safe environment – but, your landlord generally doesn’t have a duty to prevent situations like the one you described unless it is a recurring event that can be remedied. Regardless, I would recommend talking to a landlord-tenant attorney in your area to see what options might be available for you. Generally, attorneys offer free initial consultations.
Ian Pisarcik says
Gregg,
Your landlord has a duty to provide you with a reasonably safe and habitable environment. It doesn’t sound like your landlord is doing that. I would recommend contacting a landlord-tenant attorney in your area to explore your options. It’s possible this can be resolved with a simple letter from your attorney to the landlord. If you can’t afford an attorney, I would consider contacting your local state bar association and asking about free or reduced-cost attorneys.
Robyn donaway says
Hi my neighbor came out his apartment as I was walking towards the laundry room which is on the same floor he went down to mailbox downstairs he came back up and looked at me leaving out the laundry room door which puts u outside he went in his apartment I started to come back in door I heard someone shut a door I looked behind the dryer and it was my neighbor he walked to my apartment door and stood there so I stayed where I was at to see what he was gonna do he could not see me then he opened up my door then I jumped out and advised him to shut my door I do not ever talk to him I don’t even know his name now I’m afraid to leave my apartment or sleep in my room bad thoughts are going through my head like had he been doing this the whole time was he in my apartment while I was sleeping watching me I sleep naked I can’t hear out my left ear so I can’t hear that good and I have very bad liver disease and I sleep very sound I feel he violated my rights he clearly knew I was not in my apartment where I confronted him he said he was trying to help me
Pamela Rodziewicz says
During the month of May 2017 our apartment building caught on fire, and my family (among others) was forced to move. The fire was caused by lightening. Less than 24 hours of the event occurring the apartment’s executive told me that they didn’t have anywhere for me to move to; therefore my son and I would be on the streets. After arguing with him for almost an hour he finally contacted the police and forced me to leave. My neighbors started making calls to the news station and within a few hours I was contacted and informed they had an apartment for me. This incident left me afraid to say anything to the complex regarding any matters that went on within the apartments. I began seeking medical attention having to take medication for anxiety. Another building caught fire due to arson a few months ago. There was activity going on in the vacant apartment that caught on fire, but nothing was ever done about this. A few months later a teenager shot a man in the chest. This teenager has a criminal background. The man who was shot resided on the property illegally. The executives were aware of this due to multiple domestic calls made to the police. I have lived at the property for years. We, the neighbors and I, have verbally requested security many of times. I don’t feel safe, I miss out on a lot of work to try and make it home when my son gets there. I have to take medication for anxiety on a daily basis. I cannot afford to move anywhere else, and I feel stuck. Is there anything I can do?
Deena C Sheehy says
I live in apartment complex was 4 units and there’s a hallway outside our door that goes downstairs the apartment a put a dryer hose out their window and it goes across the hallway on the floor and I could trip I need to remove this
Dave says
I live in a four plex. The rents are now sky high.I am a long term tenant. The landlord has been harassing us for four years now. Coming in without notice. Threatening to evict us because our car wasn’t all the way in the parking spot. One of the other tenants was running an illegal AirBnB. We reported him. He came to my work to threaten me. He threatened other tenants. The landlord hasn’t done anything because she wants us out, to raise the rent. They are obviously working together. His latest trick is posting signs about helping the homeless and they are now coming to our front yard (he lives upstairs) and sleeping in the front yard on his old sofa. Doing drugs demanding money and threatening us. I have video. They are “coming back to get us and throw bricks through our front window” ! Can we remove the signs posted outside ? Can we remove the sofa ? Isn’t the landlord responsible for our safety? My wife is only 5 ft tall and almost 60… Help
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Dave. Thanks for sharing your story. It sounds like a complex situation. However, we can’t answer all of your questions for certain without knowing all of the details. Our suggestion is that you take thorough notes about each incident, including dates and times, names, and the nature of each conversation or interaction. Then, schedule a meeting with a personal injury attorney near you to discuss your legal rights as a tenant, and what your recourse might be. Certainly, your personal safety and your wife’s is the first concern.
Most personal injury lawyers offer a no-cost initial consultation. Please feel free to use the Enjuris Personal Injury Law Firm Directory (https://www.enjuris.com/directory/) to find a lawyer in your area who’s able to help. We hope everything works out for you!
Sharon says
I live in a 55 plus senior citizen complex. My building has security cameras but we do not have a security guard . Management does notifie when house inspection and when they’re coming into our apartment and we don’t have to be at home. Also the employee the
maintenance employees has master keys to all the apartments and they even take them home when they’re on call. I would like to be notified don’t want anyone in my apartment unless I’m home I’ve been in this complex for 7 years. We have a very high turnover for employees. I noticed that a pair of dress slacks that I never have worn they were brand new with the tags still on them and they were missing from out my closet.I even took all the clothes off the rack and place them on my bed and looked on the floor they weren’t on the floor in the closet they were not to be found on the hanger some kind of way they disappear . I call the Chester housing Police department they sent an officer over and I made a complaint . I was also told by the officer this has been an ongoing problem for this development. I was advised to notify management the next day, which I did. In 3 days I have not not heard anything from the office. I called back 3 days later to follow up I was told they could not do anything until they receive the police report. I call Chester housing police department and was told that management knows the protocol to follow to receive the report. In terms I called back to the management office to make them aware that I spoke to Chester housing Police department I was asked to verbally State my complaint again which I did, I was told that they would get back with me when they get the police report. I mention to them that far as we having a security cameras as a tenant I should not even have to ask them to view the cameras .
They should automatically review the cameras and by me waiting so long with my understanding the cameras only run so long because the cameras delete and continue on whatever that day is for them to start recording again. I was told that they are going to look at the cameras and they will notify me upon completing the investigation. I really feel as though they’re not going to push it no further, because I feel they are given me the run around when they stated they couldn’t do nothing till they get the police report. I’d call the CH police department they telling me that management know the protocol how to get the report. I wonder if nothing is going to be done what can I do to get results because at this time I don’t even feel comfortable in my home if I have to leave my home and come back and find out something’s missing I can’t afford to have things walking out of my apartment God knows what else is missing that I haven’t really noticed at this time cuz who would take a piece of clothing out of your apartment how should I handle this. Thank you
Jazzmin Doyle says
I was attacked y a mentally ill person in my complex. The lady hit me under my chin, we started to fight. We then some how ended up fighting by a neighbor car. She then stated how she was goin to kill me and my daughter. The whole time i had a grip on het cause i didn’t want her to hurt my child. As im holding her i see her foot come out and trip my 1 year old daughter. She hit the floor so hard. I wanted yo pick ger up but i didn’t want this lady to hurt her any more. Sbe then let me go amd went to her car. By that time police arrived. She took them on a speed chase and was caught and arrested. Can i sue my complex for this incident??
Ian Pisarcik says
Jazzmin,
I’m sorry this happened to you. You can certainly sue the person who attacked you. Whether or not you can sue your landlord depends on a number of factors. Most importantly, was the landlord aware that this person was in the complex and posed a danger to tenants? Generally speaking, holding a landlord liable in a situation like this is extremely difficult. However, you should still meet with an attorney in your area to discuss the details of your case and see if a lawsuit is worthwhile. Most initial consultations are free. If you need help finding an attorney, use our free online directory.
Ian Pisarcik says
Deena,
In most cases, a hallway is considered “common property” and your landlord is responsible for keeping it clear and safe. I would recommend writing a letter to your landlord informing them of the dryer hose and explaining that it creates a potential hazard. If your landlord fails to remove the hose and someone is injured, your landlord could be held liable.
Ian Pisarcik says
Pamela,
Landlords have certain duties when it comes to keeping tenants safe. I would recommend using our free online directory to locate a landlord-tenant attorney in your area. Most attorneys offer free initial consultations. If you can’t afford an attorney, contact your local state bar association and ask for a referral to a free or reduced-cost attorney.
Ian Pisarcik says
Robyn,
I’m sorry this happened to you. If you believe this man is doing something improper, I would recommend contacting the local police.
Ian Pisarcik says
Catherine,
Landlords owe certain duties to their tenants. Providing electricity within a reasonable amount of time is one of these duties. I would recommend using our free online directory to locate an attorney in your area. Most attorneys offer free initial consultations and can help you take the next steps, which may include fixing the electricity yourself and deducting the cost from your rent.
Ian Pisarcik says
Percy,
I’m sorry you feel that you’re being treated like a prisoner. Fortunately, there are a couple options for locating an attorney. First, you can use our free online directory to locate an attorney in your area. Second, you can contact your local state bar association and ask for a referral.
Ian Pisarcik says
Sharon,
I’m sorry this is happening to you. Generally, a landlord has to provide notice before entering your apartment (except in cases of an emergency). It’s possible that you agreed to some other arrangement with your landlord. I can’t say for certain without looking at your lease. I would recommend sending a certified letter to your landlord requesting that they provide 24-hour notice before entering your apartment for any non-emergency. If your landlord refuses or is unresponsive, you might consider hiring a landlord-tenant attorney. Most attorneys provide free initial consultations. You can locate an attorney using our free online directory.
Rosalie says
I have a quick question , so there was recently a fire in my apartment complex. One of the apartments above us, thankfully our apartment wasnt affected as bad as others just some minor water damage , BUT it has not lost the smell of smoke and it’s been about a week since it happened. My roommates and I have actually felt a difference in our breathing and we have been getting random headaches. The apartment complex was supposed to send people to clean it Monday and nothing has been done yet, but I feel that if it doesn’t get handled soon it can become a serious health issue. Should I look for legal advice? Can anything be done about this ?
Lisa says
About six months before I reconciled with my spouse he told me his neighbor down stairs wanted the outside light off at night because it shines in her face..Two years later..the light is still out..we have to go thru a dark path to a dark isolated back yard and could barely see where to put the key in the door..I have two daughters ..it is so unsafe..even with just raccoons and skunks around…weeds growing thru the cracks of even ground too… I could understand a month so she can get darker drapes but this should not have been a final solution… I am not on the lease it is a section 8 apartment..I do pay my husband rent..what are my rights as a ‘tenant’ and as a mother I just can’t let it go any longer… If my spouse get in trouble so be it… Tired of buying in to people’s system and getting the short end of the stick!
Ian Pisarcik says
Rosalie,
Your landlord has a duty to provide you with a safe living environment. At the moment, it sounds like your landlord isn’t doing that. Before speaking to an attorney, you might want to draft a letter explaining your concerns and requesting that the landlord clean the apartment immediately. If the landlord fails to clean the apartment, you might want to reach out to a landlord-tenant attorney. Most initial consultations are free, and the landlord-tenant attorney will be able to provide you with some options (which may include paying for the cleaning service yourself and withholding rent). You can locate an attorney using our free online directory.
Carrie says
I am wondering if my landlord could be held accountable in some way. Basically we moved in to an apartment and the girl behind us is a victim of domestic abuse. She is an amputee and this happens at least once or twice every 2 weeks that we can hear. We have made the Landlord aware and no action has been taken. Our neighbors car was also keyed by her boyfriend and he has even climbed through the windows to get at her while she;s slept. We have not parked our vehicles here because they are brand new and do not want any damage done to them. My husband went over after she was asking for a hammer and secured her windows so e could not climb in. I feel like the landlord should have some form of culpability in this since she told us that was brought to her attention previously by other tenants. We live in Texas and I would appreciate some advice on how to handle the situation. Any advice we’d be greatly appreciated, I do not feel safe in what should be my safe place, my home. Thank you n advance.
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Carrie. I’m sorry that both you and your neighbor are dealing with this scary situation. Yes, your landlord could bear some responsibility if you’ve put them on notice that these incidents are occurring. The landlord should take steps like increasing security by installing cameras or adding locks or a fence — whatever it takes to ensure residents’ safety. However, it also sounds like there might be criminal activity, too. You might want to contact your local police department and make them aware of what’s happening. Certainly, if you hear or see behavior that puts anyone in danger (or damage happening to property), it’s best to call the police for an immediate response.
If you have actual damage or injury as a result of this person’s behavior, you could hold your landlord responsible in a civil lawsuit or small claims court action. A landlord does have a responsibility to maintain a safe and hazard-free environment for tenants.
If the landlord is unwilling to take additional safety precautions, I invite you to use the Enjuris Personal Injury Law Firm Directory to find a Texas lawyer who handles landlord/tenant issues. Best of luck – I hope this is resolved quickly and everyone is safe. Thank you, again, for reaching out.
Ian Pisarcik says
Lisa,
Sorry this happened to you. The landlord has an obligation to keep the “common areas” of an apartment complex safe and in good condition. The pathway outside likely counts as a “common area.” However, the landlord only owes this duty to tenants (not visitors). I would have your spouse draft a letter requesting that the light be fixed and send it certified mail to the landlord. If the landlord doesn’t fix the light, the tenant, in most states, has a right to fix the light themselves and deduct the cost from their rent.
Ian Pisarcik says
Elizabeth,
The issue is that you have to show that you suffered damages in order to sue your landlord. At the moment, it doesn’t seem that you can point to any specific damages. If that changes, you might be able to sue your landlord for negligence.
Yvette says
My landlord is crazy she killing tenants in my building with poisonous pesticides and six people have already die and small amounts of carbon monoxide and I know this because she trying to kill me she’s a very sick woman sociopath and I don’t know how to stop her who would believed me. that’s why she’s doing this because she thinks she smarter then everyone around her she. kill my friend while she was watching tv I couldn’t believe it that when I started feeling so sick before that 5 people had already die I didn’t know who the hell I was going to tell this to. And if cause everything is they die of a heart attack no way my building is a gas chamber and it can put gas in one bedroom apartments and not in the whole building I believed my landlord also hates old people that’s what mostly have die in the building she using men that she hired to help her and they know that I know what happening I have to do something I try to get out but had no where to go I only pay 150.00 a month which is another reason why she told me to moved out she said I w as not you iut of this building I lived here to long it’s not even her damn building do you think I should go to the FBi I can move what I’m saying because everytime she see me I make her so mad if I claim I need something she put that poison in my apartment so fast she wants me dead.
Ian Pisarcik says
Yvette,
It sounds like you are dealing with an emergency situation. If you believe your landlord is trying to injure or kill tenants, you should contact the local police. Additionally, if you believe your landlord is refusing to remove mold from your apartment, you should get in touch with a landlord-tenant attorney. In the meantime, you can read more about your legal options when it comes to mold in your apartment here.
J says
I was attacked by a woman with an umbrella twice one evening on two different streets while walking home. The attacker lives in my building (although I never saw her before). I informed the super who looked at surveillance and she was able to identify the attacker (we ended up walking into the building at the same time after the attack and so the camera captured this). The super and I made an agreement to call the police so that she can provide the attackers identity to them directly. However, on the evening we were going to make the call the super texted me that she is not home and did not provide me with another available time, although I insisted.. I filed the report at the precinct without an identity. why would the super dodge this responsibility? the safety of all tenants is at risk given that we have a person who attacks people living in the building.
Ian Pisarcik says
I’m so sorry this happened to you. I cant speak to why the super was unable to make the call to the police. However, I think you did the right think by filing a report. If you didn’t already, be sure to let the police know that your super has security footage of the incident and also knows the name of the attacker. That way, the police can get the information from your super.
Danielle says
Is there a law that apartment complexes should have lighting in the parking lot areas? When I get home its pitched black and use a flash light to see my way to my apartment. When I walk my dog the area is also dark which scares me as there has been coyotes in the area.
Chris says
I live in student housing and have lived here for 3 months roughly. Immediately upon entering the unit my only roommate at the time had caused damages to the common area and had insects in the sink from no cleaning. He had a homeless man living on the couch who had drugs left out. I contacted the management and they called the police. This roommate was evicted but it required me to live at a sister property for two weeks while he was evicted. He threatened me during this time frame as well. The homeless man was living on the couch for about a month and my roommate had previous altercations with a former tenant resulting in the police being called.
Now, a roommate that I have lived with for a few months is doing schedule II drugs and has drilled holes into the walls and cabinets. His behavior has been erratic and he has also breached the roommate agreement. Because of the nature of the drug I do not feel safe at all.
Additionally, I had to personally clean the dishwasher out and to this day nobody in the unit uses it because it smells horrible. It leaves a disgusting smell on any dishes it washes. To even try to clean this dishwasher required me, a young adult with a permanent hip disability, to get on my knees to clean.
I have a job that requires trust and safety as well. As a result, I am trying to figure out how to protect myself as my future could have drawbacks. If my job catches wind of this situation, then I could potentially see a criminal investigation done. I know I would be safe, however, I also recognize that this would be a very stressful event considering how I am in school and working all the time. My primary goal is protecting myself from this situation.
Renee says
I live in federal funded housing and both my neighbors and their guest were involved in a shootout that took place in front of my living room. They were both were approached by police and detectives. They also keep up a lot of noise, company, parties that last ALL NIGHT preventing my children from sleeping. I’m so worried for our safety and lively hood. How likely is it that they both will be evicted if any?? And what can I do if they are not evicted?? Next time it could be a fatality.
worried person says
need help
this is the 2nd time someone is been trying to break in my apartments
they get to my door and a man screams open the door bitch
im scared . i do not know the person thats screaming for me to get out
i mention to the apartment manager if he can do something about it
maybe move me to another apartment but it seems they cant do nothing
now i feel like im forced to break my lease cause im scared for my life
again i do not know the person thats been trying to break in
Lillian says
Visiting a apartment complex, standing outside with my parent who lives at complex. When a piece of vinyl. siding flew off one of the buildings and stabbed me in the wrist and cut my arm. There was like 4-6 pieces missing from the wall. After I came from hospital my dad said there was some siding on the ground the week prior. And a neighbor said that some siding had fell fro.m the same wall previously too. I suffer with pain that comes and goes up my arm so bad sometimes I take pills to relieve pain. The insurance company has done nothing, They said complex was covered by a SC complex and this place I was injured at is in VA. They trying to say it was a act of god. Got a local lawyer who didn’t help, but forged my name on three documents that I have in my possession because my sister told me get the file from lawyer. So now alone I filed a warrant in debt.
Camille Reynolds says
Sorry, I meant theme, not thyme. I’ve been baking all day.
Ian Pisarcik says
It’s important that you contact the police and file a police report, both for your own safety and for any future lawsuits that arise. Then, I would draft a letter to your landlord explaining the situation and the reasonable security measures you want the landlord to take (install locks, move your apartment, etc.). If the landlord fails to take these security measures, I would use the Enjuris Legal Directory to locate an attorney in your area. Most attorneys offer free initial consultations.
Ian Pisarcik says
Danielle,
Some states have laws that require a specific type of lighting to be used in certain apartment complexes, but most don’t. However, your landlord has a duty to keep the area “reasonably safe.” I would recommend writing a letter to your landlord explaining your concern and requesting that they install lights.
Dee Ann Forte says
My daughter’s apartment ceiling fell in (just the ceiling structure, not the floor from above). It had been cracking for months, and they had told the landlord and super about it numerous times over the past months. It finally fell in this morning, all over their furniture, their dog, their living room. There IS asbestos. They have someone coming to look at it now (AGAIN), now that it’s fallen in. No one was hurt. She has to leave apartment according to super (because of asbestos). What are her rights, landlord obligations as far as repairing clothing, furniture…..what if there are health risks because of asbestos?
Adrian says
Hello.
We are currently renting a home in Ft.Lauderdale. My puppy was chewing on something in the yard. It was a shard of glass. I searched the yard and there is an existing patch of sand where nothing grows. I probed with a shovel and found a 5×3 glass pane(looks like it’s from a patio table), 2 other glass panes and multiple other broken pieces of glass.
I went to Home Depot, bought a temporary fence to section off the yard and erected it this afternoon.
Do I attempt to dig up the remaining sandy areas? (There are 2,about 15 yards in total).
Call the property management company and request they do something?
Or, do I need an attorney?
Thank you for your time.
Ian Pisarcik says
Adrian,
I would recommend writing a letter to the landlord explaining the situation and requesting that they clean up the glass. You might consider enclosing a photograph of the shards of glass in the letter. The landlord has an obligation to maintain the premises in a reasonably safe condition. If the glass makes the premises unsafe (and it sounds like it does), the landlord must fix it.
Georgi says
Hi I am a new mother in an apartment building that for most times is a lovely place to live. However, lately the tenants that are directly across from us have been pounding on the doors and walls and threatening to beat people in the other apartment up. The police have been by multiple times. Can I request to be transferred to a different apartment? Isnt there a level of safety and protection required from my landlord so that my husband, me and my baby can sleep through the night without fearing for our lives?
Susan says
Hi,
Recently in September, I fell off the concrete slab at the front door of my villa. I sprained both feet.
In October I fell again, and fractured my left ankle and sprained my right foot again. My left leg is still in a boot as the injury has not healed.
I emailed my landlord and told them what happened. There is more than a foot drop to the ground from the concrete. There is also little room to open the screen door at this site.
He stated 3 weeks ago he would have someone fill the spots in with dirt.
Nothing has been done yet.
What do I do now?
I am 57 yrs old with a lot of health problems.
Thx !
Ian Pisarcik says
Susan,
I’m sorry this happened to you.
The concrete slab might be considered a “dangerous condition.” If so, your landlord could be liable for your medical expenses. I would recommend doing two things:
First, take photographs of the area where you fell.
Second, meet with a personal injury attorney (bring the photographs with you). Most initial consultations are free, and the attorney will be able to tell you whether he or she thinks you have a good claim.
Yamira Gonzalez says
There was a shooting in my complex where bullets went through our walls and into our home , where we could have been killed. We currently are trying to transfer but the property manager is giving us a run around for a proper time Frame . The delay is putting us at risk and we may need to break our lease . Are we able to fight to get a deposit fee and possibly sue?
Heather Barrett says
My landlord is also my roommate. All bills were split 50/50. First, he installed cameras inside and outside old the time, some record only video, but one records audio and video. I was not notified, or informed about it. (We are in Oregon). The night before Thanksgiving, he had “friends” over. They were at kitchen table while I was doing dishes. All of a sudden one of the men pulled out a gun and pointed it at my roommate/landlord, then at me. Told me not to move and I wouldnt be hurt. The two men then robbed my roommate. I found out after that roommate was selling/dealing drugs and had crossed some BAD people. That night, roommate/landlord packed some of his stuff and went into hiding. Now I am here dealing with the aftermath, people stopping by looking for him, demanding to enter property to get “his stuff”. He won’t communicate with me about any of it. Now he expects me to pay ALL of the bills, or “get out now”. Keeps sending people over here trying to force me out with threats of physical harm. I am planning on moving soon. But can his friends just change locks and force me out just like that?? I have no intention of staying any longer than I have to, but there hasn’t been any kind of notice. What can or should I do. I am not able.to just pick up and go “right this second”. I need to pack, get another place lined up etc. He isn’t even in the state right now. Please help!
Angine says
I just moved to an apt complex in CA. Our parking is underground, and realized that I cannot make a call or use my internet. There is zero reception, but they do have electric charging stations throughout the parking lot, my radio works, and they have WiFi/signal in the gym and common area. I’ve asked them about it, and they said they are working on it… I have 3 children and just in case anything happens, I couldn’t call for help. This sounds absolutely crazy, I know. I’m also paying a high rent so there should be zero issues. Also, there’s a crack (at times 1/2 wide to 1/6) that runs along the top of where my parking spot is to 3 cars in front and behind me. Because there are 5 floors above me, this is another great concern for my kids and residents. Please advise
Sarah says
Hi. I have noise sensitivity which cause severe headaches, from post-concussion from almost 5 years ago, to which I can’t control what happens when its severe, as if my body and mind are there own being. We had moved into the first floor of an apt and they told me the day I got the key to let them know if neighbor upstairs is loud. Have, many times. I had gone in before to where I told them “Its so bad that I could kill them and have almost done it to my mom. Please help.” Instead they took the other guys side. On Saturday Dec 21st, from getting no sleep because they drop things throughout the day and into the night, slamming things, constantly walking on creaks, etc. and my mom works at 5:30 am and gets up at 1:30 am to start getting ready and they don’t stop till around then and they started up again that I called the police at 10:45 am and explained what was going on and had made a threat (which when I am in this state I can’t control what I say or how I say it to get people to understand) but hes not pressing charges given the circumstances because when I called I was sleep deprived, SEVERE headache and irritable. It scares me that I can’t control it and have never been this bad until we moved into the apt. I could control the headaches and that day I was scared I couldn’t and walked out to my moms car and made the call (which he never recorded to hear all that was said before and after it because I needed someone to intervene). I never threatened the people above me but I did tell the landlord, maintainance girl and still when nothing was being done, I called the cop because I did not want to be this way and was scared something would happen if someone didnt help. And because of asking for help before something goes wrong, they are evicting us. It scares me that being honest with them about how bad the situation is and keeps getting and letting them know what can happen so they do something this is what they do instead of addressing the cause. I had a dr appointment where she is getting me in to learn to control the anger when the headaches are severe but thats not till Jan 20th and we have till Jan 31st to move out. Is there anything that can be done? The person who did the paperwork and signed it, from our lease, he is not the one in charge and has been trying to find any way to get rid of us, as far back as when we first moved in when the guy kept slamming his toilet seat and he told us that he would let us out of our lease because that is no cause for concern. But he doesn’t have noise-sensitivity like I do or severe headaches all the time. I need help with if anything can be done. Please.
Ian Pisarcik says
Thanks for the comment.
I don’t know all the details here, but landlords can’t evict tenants over legitimate complaints. With that being said, it sounds like this is not a great situation for you and perhaps a new apartment might be in your interest. I would recommend asking your landlord for an additional month (if you anticipate that finding another apartment will be a challenge).
Tara says
I live on the 3rd floor in a building in NYC, right next door to my apartment is the maintenance supervisor’s office. An employee of my building shot the supervisor I could hear everything an have been a nervous wreck. What are my rights?
Kathy Luke says
The apartment complex where I live owns a flat piece of land right next to the building I am at. The land is on a hill and big boy toy trucks love to climb the hill, spin out, do doughnuts and climb all over it. It wakes me up at 3 am. My vehicle, and several tenants are parked down one side of the small hill. Trucks spin out and go through the parking lot. I am afraid my new car will get hit. I have taken photos of the damage done to the grass and how close it is to the parked cars. I have emailed each time someone climbs the hill and tears up the area. I am always told thank you for letting up know, we will look into it. All that is needed are concrete poles like they have in another area. People walk their dogs up on the hill, someone is going to get hit. Is there anything I can so, or any legal reason they would have to make this hill safe? After many notices, if my car is hit will they be liable? Can I purchase poles and place them in the ground. I am so tired of being woke up by these idiots.
Patricia Nelson says
Someone burned my SUV in the apartment complex, are they responsible for the damages? No security or cameras in the apartments.
Ian Pisarcik says
Patricia,
If someone intentionally or negligently burned your vehicle, the person who burned the vehicle is liable for the damages. Your landlord probably won’t be liable unless they had reason to know that someone was going to burn your SUV or they had knowledge that vehicles were routinely being vandalized.
Margaret says
My daughter I lived in some apartments for 4 years going on the 5 year my daughter was being bullied by some kids that had moved in the apartments, their parents we’re gang members. My daughter had to deal with these by having human piss being thrown on her, being chased by these kids wanting to stab her they even tried to tase her, they threw bleach in her face I even had a kid tell me that these kids was going to cut my daughters throat. I made police reports even made complaints to the leasing office all the manager could say is that I was a nuisance n took me to court n said that I wasn’t paying rent but I have all my money order receipts from deposit to pet deposit I’m looking for a lawyer that is willing to hear my case n take it. I’m also taking any recommendations on what step I need to take in suing. This has truly has effected my daughter n I emotionally n stressful. We live in Sacramento California. Thank u
T Merrill says
Our apartment is above a garage. My landlord had a business but it has been closed for a year. At least once a week, lately every day he has been painting stuff and the fumes are unbearable. I also don’t believe his garage is vented. We have had fire detectors go off & carbon monoxide detectors go off over the 4 years we have lived here. Just interested in thought on situation. I have asked him to open door and try to air out…with only rude responses. Thanks
Maria says
On December 2019, I was attacked by my landlord’s dog. (they are my neighbor). This has been the second time it has happened, different dog. After the second time. I went full legal status. Animal control was reported when I went to the hospital and I signed with a lawyer. I love dogs and I never thought how easily scared I would get, in general, even after the attack. My landlord also has a habit of feeding stray cats, they also have one of their own. There is always one specific cat that is always in front of my house door, it likes to come up and purr. I don’t mind cats but I also never been a fan of them. Just last week, I was coming home like any other day and the cat, again, was sitting in front of my house, I went to my garbage bins and saw it was behind me and it jumped on me. My anxiety went up the roof! I screamed and kicked it off me. I went inside my house and started shaking, my heart was racing. I didn’t want to step out the house anymore. My landlord has submitted a claim with his home insurance and my lawyer has been communicating with them. I don’t feel safe at all in my house, I want to move. I wanted to weigh it out until my case was finalized but I just can’t take it anymore. I don’t have the full funds to move out to a new place, is there any way my landlord and their insurance will be responsible to help me for a new place? For the sake of my safety?
Eve says
Hi my name Is Eve. On December 18,2019. The owners of this building did not give me a 24 hour notice that the bankers were going to do a walk through our units. When the owner came to my unit? My daughter and i were sick, I didn’t answer the door. So i heared her trying to get in my unit without my permission? Then the owner demanded to come in and i explained that i did not recieve a written notice? I was called a liar? 2 days and thenb all of a sudden we had to remove our belongings out of the yard at once by a certain time? They retaliated on us. I am tired of the harrassment and slander and they don’t fix anything? He told me he will work with me on last months rent because of the holidays past. Anyways now he is telling people on the unit as well as my family he is going to evict me? he says he could get a certain amount of money for this unit?
Melissa Gold says
Hi Eve,
I’m sorry to hear you’re going through a difficult time. There are few things we need more than a safe and comfortable living environment. Without knowing all the facts of your situation, I can’t suggest what you should do or advise as to your rights. However, you might wish to find a landlord/tenant attorney who can help.
You might begin by calling the bar association in your state or looking up other pro bono (no cost) legal options near you. There are lawyers who specialize in this kind of situation and can help.
Best of luck to you and your daughter. I hope you can reach resolution quickly.
Lynda L Alversion says
I live in the mountains where an aquiantance offered myself and my dogs to come and stay. We have had an understanding of the need to keep our dogs separate and have done well with that but lately he has become rude and yelling at me. He does not let me know when he has put his dog out and twice now he has screamed at me and told me get the hell out.
I have tried to be as cordial as I can and keep the peace and he apologizes the next day but what he has said during those escapades has weighed heavy on my mind. He has been trying to kiss me, hug me a lot, he drinks daily which i did not know until I got here.
So one night after have been working on my trailer for a few hours my dogs and I headed up tot the house to get ready for bed when we got close to the porch there was his dog on her chain and I was not informed of this. He knows to inform me always. My dogs are not other dog friendly. Thank God I got ahold of my dogs in time. This I night ad was the night after one of his drunken escapades of yelling at me.
So in a panic I took my dogs around to the back of the house to a little yard he has back there and locked them in there so I could go around to the front and find out what was going on. I then proceeded to the front of the house to take his dog in. On my way I got on to the porch and the sensor light that had come on went out. It only stayed on for like 2 minutes. So I tried to get it back on but it would not and then proceeded to walk down the ramp from the porch by the light of the moon.. Bam, down I went on the slippery wet ramp from the porch. I slammed down on my tail bone so hard that I just sat there for a minute. I then got up and slowly went in to the house to find him drunk and passed out on the couch. I got his dog in and and that woke him up I told him that his dog was outside when I walked up and all he said was, How did she get out? I did not tell him at that time that I had fallen because I was not in the mood to listen to his drunken needless words.
I felt a little soar that night but I am stubborn when it comes to doctors and thought “Ill get through this”.
Well it has been about 4 days now and I am in serious pain. I can not lift anything without it hurting, I can not bend over for very long and stand back upright is hurting.
What should i do? With the way things are going around here because of his desires and my lack of compliance its all a mess. I don’t know what to do any more. But I know I am in pain and I have no place to go because of my dogs. I have family but they have dogs too. I just know that if I go to the doctor he is going to turn on me and kick me out. I just can feel that that is what he will do.
Kimberly Harrison says
Hi I live in a apartment that was built over a garage. My property manager lives in the main house. He has a doom buggy in his garage. While sitting watching tv in my living room he started that vehicle and exhaust fumes filled my apartment I couldn’t breathe. I went down stairs to say something and he said there was an exhaust fan . Then shut off the vehicle then restarted the vehicle and left it running for awhile once again my apartment filled up with fumes. I couldn’t breathe I got a bad headache and vomited from the fumes. I said something again to him and he said it’s his garage the door is open and he has a right to start a vehicle in his garage. My question is can he start and run a vehicle in his garage knowing my apartment is directly over it and that the fumes filled my apartment. Do I have the right to complain about it without being threatened to be evicted or for him to disrespect me by doing it again?
Brandon says
On January 29th I fell through a soft spot in my bathroom floor. Other than being Extremely sore a little scratched up and very upset im physically fine. The soft spot was first reported in April of 2019. maintenance noted the issue in may/june of 2019 during a walk through and I requested it to be fixed in September of 2019 in the online format again. Im worried because I work for a school district in texas and the district is also my land lord.
Ian Pisarcik says
Brandon,
You certainly have a legitimate personal injury claim considering you provided plenty of notice and your landlord didn’t fix the dangerous condition. However, it sounds like you only suffered minor injuries. Because of this, it’s probably not be worth the time, effort, and potential damage to your relationship to file a lawsuit.
If you have some medical bills that you would like paid, I would recommend reaching out to the landlord personally. Perhaps the two of you can agree on a fair amount (be sure to have copies of any medical bills handy), and you can avoid litigation.
Tessa Jansen says
I stay in a complex with a high wall and an electric fence. I have been robbed twice in one week in January. Both times they gained access by climbing over/through the electric fence that was “supposedly” working. The first time the broke in while I was asleep and stole numerous items. A week later on the exact same day and time they attacked me while I took my doggy out to do her business. This is in my own private small garden outside my sliding door. I sustained a serious back injury and they stole whatever I had left worth stealing. My question is: my landlord was adamant that the electric fence is working, but I subsequently found out that it is not, and hasn’t been working for months. Can I hold the complex or body corporate responsible for my injuries and my losses.
Angel says
If some of the neighborhood kids are setting fires in the field behind my unit two days in a row. Can we sue the apartment for negligence in protecting their property. Nothing is being done they are telling us as residents to catch whoever is doing it.
Ian Pisarcik says
Angel,
You may be able to sue the apartment for negligence if: (1) the land is owned by the apartment, (2) the landlord is aware of the issue, and (3) the landlord has done nothing to limit the risk of damage (such as install security cameras or lights). In addition, in order to sue for negligence, you need to prove that you suffered some damage (e.g., medical bills from smoke inhalation or burned property).
Carol Ross says
How do I go about having my landlord relocate us? There was a LARGE fire in my complex back in 2013. At the time, my unit was devestated but they relocated me up to the Penthouse and we opted to stay. One week ago there was a SECOND fire in my Tower of the complex. Same issues. No sprinklers, no announcement and no fire alarms. The fire exit doors were also locked on some of the floors on one side. There is already been a class action lawsuit brought against the Company, Douglas Emmett. Last night another fire broke out. Cigararette in a trash shute in one of the other towers. It was extinguished quickly, but still For right now, we have been told not to pay rent, but I am anxious and worried all the time. We may not be so lucky again. How do I go about getting the landlord to relocate us and pay for it. I’m pretty sure they have to, but I am not sure what steps to take..
john says
i rent part of a fabrication shop, one of my landlords customers pulled a knife on me and physicaly and verbally threatened me . since that day i returned one time (3 days later) only to find this indevidual still lurking about. my landlord says he has taken care of the problem but still allows this thug to remain on the property, i do not feel safe with him there. yet my landlord keeps demanding that i pay rent . i havent been there for 3 weeks for fear for my safety. isnt my obligated to provide a safe place to work free from attack?
Melissa Gold says
Hello, John. I’m sorry this is happening to you. Yes, you’re correct that a landlord is responsible for tenants’ safety and could be responsible if a crime is committed on the property. It’s not clear from your comment whether the person is another tenant, an employee of the landlord, or a member of the public who’s there for some other reason. It also sounds like this might be a situation that could warrant police involvement. Please don’t hesitate to contact law enforcement if you’re being threatened or you feel that your personal safety is at risk.
You can also contact a lawyer who practices landlord/tenant law to find out specifically what the recourse is in your state. You can use the Enjuris lawyer directory to find a lawyer in your area who can help. I hope that this situation resolves quickly and that you’re staying safe. Best wishes.
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Tessa. I’m so sorry to hear that you’re dealing with all of this. First, hopefully you filed a police report for each break-in at your home. It sounds like your belief is that the break-ins wouldn’t have happened if the electric fence was working correctly. Most states do have some liability on the part of a landlord to ensure tenant safety, particularly if the landlord was aware that a dangerous condition existed. In this situation, it sounds as though the landlord was aware that a break-in by access over the fence had happened, and the correct steps to correct the condition weren’t taken. Without knowing all the facts, I can’t speak specifically to what might happen, but you can contact a lawyer who specializes in landlord/tenant law who can help. The Enjuris lawyer directory is a good place to find a lawyer near you who’s familiar with your state laws and can best advise on your right’s and your landlord’s liability.
You also shouldn’t hesitate to contact your local police department if you believe your personal safety is at risk. Best of luck — I hope that the situation is resolved quickly and that you can feel safe in your home.
Kari says
Hello!
My husband and I have been having issues at our apartment complex. First, our truck was stolen from the parking lot, 2nd our car was illegally towed. That car was registered to the parking pass given to me by the apartment complex and parked in designated area and the parking pass was visible. I still had to pay $400 to get my car back and advocate for myself to get my money back since I was not at fault. A month after that incident, the car window was broken and the items inside the car were stolen, from the gated parking lot.. After the 3rd incident, my husband and I got tired of the entire situation and we are trying to get released from our lease, but they won’t allow us to do so. We do not feel comfortable or safe. Every morning we’re hoping our cars are still there and in tact.
not sure says
hello, i’ve been living in a condo for 4yrs. now and i am now in a situation where i have been served a notice to quit. when i moved in here with my disabled son, i was never told about the rodent problems, mold issues, and my landlord never so much as cleaned this place so black sludge with hair was in the sink, which i had to clean. my landlord is a phsychologist which i didn’t know, but he has driven us nuts, caused so much stress that my son is more disabled than he was , has a concussion because of falling due to stress, my anxiety and depression have gotten a lot worse. my landlord has come in unannounced when i was sleeping , has done numerous inspections because i had stuff i couldn’t move because i have a neck injury. i complained about him never taking care of the apartment but my stress has caused me to stop taking care ot things. anyway , i am in counseling and having someone help me move my stuff out but i have a notice to quit and i believe i got this notice because i asked for a special housing inspection because i was sick and tired of water leaking in the living room, drafty windows where i.m freezing , etc. i didn’t call the board of health because i was a fraid if i got the landlord upset he would make us leave and we have no where to go. now i have the notice to quit.can i sue him for emotional stress? he has caused irreparable damage to myself and my son emotionally and my son fell because of so much stress living here, nosy neighbors here as well . the condo assoc here favors the home owners over the tenants
Kelly says
Hello,
My fiancé and I have lived in our current apt for 7 months In CA and the community just opened a brewery in the retail space below us. We were told they would not have alcohol outside and we should not have an issues with noise. Since it opened, they have constructed a patio area on the sidewalk to allow alcohol outside. From 1pm to 11pm, daily, we hear excessive noise from this area and we are witnessing glass bottles being thrown into the street. We have also dealt with excessive noise while people are waiting below our windows for Uber’s. While the noise is an annoyance, I’m mostly concerned for my safety. These drunk people are waiting/parking by our building’s front door and right beside the dog relief area. This makes it impossible for me to walk my dog and not be shielding from drunk people. I brought this up to our landlord and her response was “we are not responsible for the safely of the residents”. Two days after us reporting our concerns, two guys flanked me at the dog area, drunk and blowing smoke in my face, trying to convince me to get in their car to “go party”. I had to threaten to call the cops if they didn’t leave me alone. When we told this to our landlord the next day, she told us to call the cops if I ever feel uncomfortable. We asked her if they could station a security officer at that location for the safety of the residents but she said “no, they have more important things to do then monitor this area”. Could the landlord be responsible if something happens to me? Are they responsible for providing security since this also renting the retail space to a brewery?
Chris says
If a neighbor breaks into your apartment because there is stolen property of his and does not wait on law enforcemnet officers to show up with a warrant for fear that the person who has the property may move it or get rid of it, is that legal in the state of California?
Tony Bergman says
I live in a house that has been renovated to form two apartments. I’ve been here for 4 years and have made alot of improvements. An elderly lady moved in to the adjoining apartment about a year and a half ago. Recently she started making allocations that I I was somehow involved with illegal drugs. Which is just not true. However she has managed to convince the landlord that it is. She has seen the improvements I’ve made and is intent on moving in after all of my hard work in which I never asked to be compensated for. I am convinced that he plans to evict me over this without even asking me whether or not there is any basis for the allocation. I read that in Missouri a landlord needs little to no cause to evict. Can I bring charges of slander against the neighbor since there is no police action and no proof to substantiate her allocations. And that because of what she said has traumatically impacted my life.
Inny says
Hi, i live in an apartment complex with my husband and 18 month old son, our neighbor smokes weed and all sorts and the smell gets into my own apartment and the smell is worse in my sons room, it’s so bad we have had to move the bed to the living room now for several weeks.
We notified the management and we were given a complaint form to fill also the super was called in to my own apartment and he confirmed he could smell the heavy smell of weed in our house and it’s been getting worse.
I am really worried about what this second hand smoking will do to my sons health especially.
What do you suggest i do?
Ian Pisarcik says
Chris,
It is illegal to commit a crime (breaking and entering), even if the person believes it is justified (because they’re retrieving stolen goods).
Bee says
My neighbors are constantly in domestic violence acts, the walls are very thin in my apartment I was told my home wasn’t zoned 2 family and my landlord rents both parts of home, I fear my neighbors are going to come thru the walls the only thing that separates their unit and mind is a hallway door which they block by a fridge… I need to know if I have rights
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Bee. I’m sorry to hear you’re in this situation. I’m sure it’s distressing to hear that kind of noise from your neighbors all the time. Your landlord does have some responsibility to keep a tenant safe from becoming a victim of a crime. The zoning concern and the safety issue are two different questions. You can inform your landlord of what’s happening in the neighbors’ apartment in case the landlord can make any modifications to keep you safer. You can also call the police if you believe that you or another person is in danger of being harmed. As far as your rights, most landlord/tenant law depends on the state where you live, so your best bet is to find an attorney who can help. The Enjuris law firm directory is one resource for finding a lawyer near you, and you can also check with your state or county bar association to find a pro bono legal organization that might be able to help.
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Inny. I can understand how concerned you are about your baby and the secondhand smoke. First, is marijuana illegal in your state? Second, is there anything in your lease agreement pertaining to smoking (whether marijuana or cigarettes)? If you’ve made a complaint to the apartment management and they’re not doing anything to resolve the issue, you might be able to ask for them to release you from your lease without a financial penalty. If moving isn’t an option, you can consult a landlord/tenant lawyer in your state who can help. You can either use the Enjuris legal directory or check with your local bar association to find an attorney who can advise.
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Kelly. Thank you for asking. Yes, the landlord has a responsibility to maintain tenant safety, especially if they are aware of the possibility of dangerous or criminal behavior. You should document each time you believe there’s a threat to your safety and present it to your landlord in writing. If your landlord continues to ignore your complaints and make changes to the property, you should call a lawyer who specializes in landlord/tenant matters. The lawyer will review the terms of your lease and obtain evidence of what’s happening at the property in order to take the appropriate next steps. Best of luck.
Evie says
My landlord has turned my residence into an illegal rooming house in which several of past tenants as well as their invited guests have caused me to suffer tremendous financial losses, I have had to live without even a remote sense of safety since this man bought this house in March of 2019. He has since entered and exited the house at will and without consent or notice. He has rented to “tenants” without even so much as asking their last names. I have had $1,000’s of dollars worth of material and other possessions destroyed and or stolen by both tenants and the landlord. He even was told NOT TO ENTER MY BEDROOM BECAUSE I WAS SLEEPING by my ex boyfriend and he intentionally and deliberately failed to listen and entered my bedroom with me asleep in the room regardless and inspire of directly being told not to. His negligence has led to many injuries due to the conditions of the flooring in this house. He has voluntarily allowed people he had knowledge and proof of robbing and assaulting me into this residence with keys, that a former roommates ex-girlfriend just testified less than an hour ago (I filed for an injunction) to the fact that the landlord had given her the keys to the residence. He also goes around telling everyone I am crazy and to stay away from me. I’m sure he’s said far worse about me to others that I just don’t know about. My injunction was denied saying that the responsibility lies with the landlord but he takes NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANYTHING. HE REFUSES TO FIX ANYTHING. I haven’t even been able to cook a meal in the kitchen, use the common area refrigerator or freezer, wash dishes, etc. in MONTHS! I’ve had my physical safety threatened time and time again by the felons and drug addicts that he allows to move in and out of here and I suppose because I am the only 1 that is different, he is refusing to return phone calls or texts, he continues let the house itself and the yard remain in shambles. There is no heat provided. There is no central heat & A/C? Most days I fear for the safety of my feline, Myeneaux. I fear for my own personal safety and live in constant fear. I’ve had $1000’s upon $1,000’s of dollars either in cash or in the form of personal properties stolen and destroyed. I am at wits end. I am desperately trying to save up enough money to move outta here but until I am able to do so, I could really use some help and advice with all of the craziness that I’ve been forced to endure since he took over ownership of this residence. Please help me!
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Evie. I’m sorry to hear that you’re dealing with an unpleasant living situation. You have a few options. First, if there’s illegal activity going on, you always have the option to call the police. You can call them if you see or hear illegal activity, but also to report that your personal property has been stolen or vandalized if that happens. Second, you can seek counsel of a lawyer who specializes in landlord/tenant disputes. It sounds like there’s a lot going on here and that there are various aspects to this situation that need to be sorted out. You might be able to find a lawyer who works pro bono (at no charge) through your county or state bar association. Best of luck – I hope the situation is able to be worked out favorably.
Lynne Evaro says
My car was broken into where I live. This is not the first time this has happened in the parking lot. They told me before they have cameras in the parking lot but when I went to ask her again she told me tgwy are not allowed to give that information?
Jeff Simpson says
We live in a section 8 apartment complex. We have been encouraged to report crime that occurs on the property to apt security and/or police. There has been several violent attacks and security and management know who is leading these attacks. There is usually 2 and up to 12 people beating on just one person on 2 different videos and the complex banned those involved but the head security guy lets them back on property to continue the drug dealing and shooting of guns etc. I reported the same group to the management and they came and watched a video at my apt and said that security didnt do a report . I told them I was shocked and as they continued watching, you could see security show up after it was over and people were telling security what happened. The security guy still didnt do a report because the suspect is friends with the security guard that arrived after the attack. I waited a few months and still no changes and these guys are still roaming the complex freely. So I reported them again to management and asked what was being done and reminded them that security is friends with these guys and to not mention anything about me reporting the gang members doing these attacks. They mentioned my name anyway and now I have become a target and have to stay inside out of fear of attacks on myself or my family. I even have someone with The State Housing Finance Agency on my side but Id like to sue the heck out of the management or security or owners for failing to provide a safe place to live and actually making it a dangerous place due to their neglect. In fact when the the HUD financing agency which holds their contract contacted them they pretended like they were not aware of the last attack and wanted to see the video to take proper actions but I showed them the video 2 months prior and even have the audio of them asking to see it in my apartment as well as their shock of no report being made. This is all on audio. What can I do at this point as this is a very active issue and I should know more on March 8 or 9th 2020.
Rc says
My nine-year-old son was bullied by the maintenance guy at my apartment complex and the landlord didn’t do nothing about it I’ve gone to her a few times where I’ve had pictures stating that he was harassing me and my family and was not done nothing about not even from the police.. an awful thing was that my son got trauma for for having to feel unsafe at his own apartment complex.. so I had to get him so I got him a puppy women’s counseling, what can I do…please get some advice thank you
Rc says
My 9 year old son was bullied by the maintenance man at my apartment complex.. I went to the to the landlord and even showed her proof.. and she did nothing about it. So I put them in counseling cuz he was not wanting to go outside he felt unsafe… So far the longest he wouldn’t go outside to play.. so the next thing was I got him a puppy… Things got better..
Christina Christian says
My boyfriend and I live in a gated apartment complex; however for the past few months the gate to the property has been left open. This morning we woke up to his car has been vandalized. We spoke with the office of the complex and they stated, “this is not a gate issue” and that we must speak with the police department of our city to make a police report and our insurance. The complex has been bought out by a new company but Is there anyway that they could be left responsible for this? The gate had been closed before but for the past few months the gate has been left open. The last company never did anything and others have experienced the same issue
la la la alias is me says
great article & comments – I will be using this info soon 😉
Dan Chin says
I am disabled and live on a small pension. The city I live in has a .02% vacancy rate, and only builds housing for rich people. My son and I were in subsidized housing until he turned 18 and decided he wanted to live on his own. There is no subsidized housing for single elderly men here, so I had to move into a rooming house. The rental agreement I signed specifically said “No illegal activities on the premises”. My disability is a severe anxiety disorder which I take medication for. Long story short, the landlord has personal friends who are really bad meth and cocaine addicts who are homeless and hes allowed them to move in rent-free. I’ve been physically and verbally assaulted by the drug addicts and have had numerous items stolen from my room. The landlord refuses to let me put a lock on my door saying I cant have a lock in case of a fire. Last week, I went out for a cigarette in the designated smoking tent, and it was filled with meth addicts who couldn’t get drugs and when I wouldn’t give them any money, one guy beat me up. The landlord refuses to do anything to remove his drug addict friends, and if I complain, he threatens to evict me. I’ve called the police and they say they can’t do anything. I’m afraid if I contact the government rental complaints I will be evicted and I will be homeless. I can’t afford a lawyer. There is free legal aid, but only for people charged with a criminal offense. Can I legally get a baseball bat and beat the drug addicts so badly they wont want to come back here? I have abided by all the rules in the rental agreement, yet the landlord had the right to break his own rules about no illegal activities on the premises. How can he do this? If I could afford a lawyer, I would sue for $20,000 and buy a used RV and live in it until I can get proper housing. How difficult is it to represent myself in court in a case like this? Thanks.
Hiedi says
I live in utah and had to get a lawyer for a illegal eviction about 6 months ago. Since then we have had several inspections in our apt one the landlord video taped the inside of our apt. After one of the inspections the maintenance man tried to beat up my husband. We have been harrassed and discriminated against and my husband is disabled. We want to stay in our apt without being harrassed and just live a quiet life. They try telling us who we can have over and what we can have in our apt. They have given us a non renewal of lease. Can I tell them to either renew our lease or we will see them in court?
Nancy says
I have been harassed nightly by a man that does not live in my apt complex. I believe he lives in one ran by the same owner just a strut away. I have now become mental Nancy because no one believes me. I am not sure how he enters the building, he scratches at my door, has dug holes in it whistles tunes, this go on until just before Dawn, that is when he leaves. I have called police twice, they were rude, disrespectful, and I was told to never call them again unless a person was in my room. I got his fingerprints on the wall all over the building, the landlady gave me hell and I had to get get rid of them. This man is still here, everyone thinks I’m crazy, and the landlady wants ME to get pictures of this guy. Some how he is avoiding the cameras.
O be thing I know for sure… I am turning into mental Nancy. What is my landlady’s responsibility in all this?
Kathie says
I moved into my townhome in November 2019. In February 2020 my washer broke. After two maintenance calls, they both stated the washer was too old and could not be fixed so it needed to be replaced. I did not have access to a washer for a month. Last Saturday I was putting a load in the washer when I could smell something burning. When I opened my dryer, smoke billowed out and I could see flames behind the mesh screen in the back of the dryer. I called 911, unplugged the unit and was able to put the flames out. The landlord claims that this must be my fault. After research I found that this particular dryer has class action lawsuits regarding the dryer starting on fire due to a bad seal and lint buildup. I also found that similar units have been recalled. The landlord is forcing me to sign and notarize a form claiming responsibility and I have to buy a new one. The house still smells like smoke and I haven’t slept since the incident. Because I feel the landlord has not been taking care or maintaining their appliances and furnace, I am constantly fearful of another fire or another issue. I am refusing to sign the letter and I now feel that I may have a case for pain and suffering, malfeasance on their part and refusal to update or maintain the town home in a proper and safe manner. Do I have a law suit?
Ian Pisarcik says
Thanks for the comment!
E says
Has this site gone down?
Kid says
My landlord says he is not responsible for anything in the 3 apartment house he owns, for myself, we have animals under the house I had to deal with it and spend money but they are back again. We have a broken faucet in the bathroom no hot water there. In our living room which use to be a porch the floor has loose boards. Our driveway is a muddy mess and when it rains it floods. People upstairs she is pregnant, they have only 2 electric outlets that work. Landlord will do nothing. No insulation. Cold air blows around windows, heater for home is in 1 room and heat never gets to the bedroom. Uncertainty when we moved in that this place is that bad to live in. My wife and I are breaking our lease and moving out shortly to a much better place. Landlord agreed to letting us go early and as well showed our place to someone else already while we weren’t home. But we gave him permission to do so. This landlord owns alot of other homes and apartments. I feel bad for those people having issues as well.
Ian Pisarcik says
Thanks for your comment. The site has not gone down. I think there may be an issue on your end. Try using a different browser. If you continue to have problems, reach out again and we’ll try to help!
Vaughn Buxton says
I am in a housing program and have lived in my privately managed 44 unit apartment building in Chicago going into 6 years next month. About 2 years ago the housing agency put another client in the apartment directly below me who within 6 months threatened to kill me. The agency would not speak to me about the other client citing privacy laws/concerns. They were more concerned about his rights than the fact that I have been diagnosed with PTSD, Anxiety, and Major Depression. They left that client below me for the remainder of his lease knowing he was using his apartment as a crash pad and smoke house for his pot and crack friends and never once did they check on me to see how I was doing. Can the agency be held liable for emotional distress?
Also a tenant above me moved in a little over a year ago. I’ve recently found out that in addition to various forms of harassing me he has been posting extremely slanderous and defamatory lies about me and others on his FB page. For some reason his focus has been directed primarily at me. Since he has never used my name he has not done anything “criminal”. Under the advisement and guidance from my local police precinct I am going to take him to court. I have documented the in person harassment and have screenshots from his FB page showing what he is calling me and accusing me of doing. The management company has known about the harassment since at least August 8, 2019. I managed to get off my all my “mood stabilizers” prior to all this happening but due to this harassment I am back on them. Can the Property management company be held at least partially responsible for the harassment since they have not done anything to move the tenant and renewed his lease knowing that he was harassing me?
nickym says
we have been living under stress here for years. my landlord has been very intrusive and came into the apt unannounced when i was sleeping and has invaded our privacy, my son’s mental state has gotten so bad, that he has trouble swallowing and cannot digest food you have to chew where he developed Dysplasia and now has an ulcer.. we are also facing an eviction. we live on edge and have for years. now we have to worry we could be homeless with this Carona virus. what can I do?
Mommabear09 says
My family and I recently moved into a home that is split into 4 rental units. We noticed SEVERE termite damage within a week of moving in and since my husband remodels homes for a living he is very familiar with the damage that termites cause. Therefore we addressed it with our landlord. However, no action has ever been taken. Shortly after we moved in we began having issues with the neighbors below us. Anytime we walked they would pound on their ceilings so hard it would knock things off our shelves, if I vacuumed I was cussed out through my window. At first we didnt want to bother the landlord with it, instead we bought slippers for our children and rugs as we have all wood floors. However, the banging continued. The landlord reached out to let us know that the man below us works 3rd shift so he sleeps during the day and he is complaining about my children playing and walking loudly. I reached out via text and asked the female below us if she would be willing to get together to discuss the layout of her home in comparison to mine do that we could be sure we were being as considerate as possible and avoiding the area over her bedroom during the day as much as possible. I recieved no response. The situation continued and after about 3 weeks it escalated to the neighbors screaming profanities outside my front window at 7am while I was getting my son ready for school. I went out and calmed them down and we had a conversation and I was under the impression that we had resolved the issue. According to the woman, the sound wasnt really even bothering them. They were upset because I was feeding a stray and it pooped on our property. We went on about our lives and I tried to avoid contact as much as possible with these neighbors. I made friends with nearly everyone on our street both young and old and was getting along fine. However, the pounding started again and was soon followed by diragatory things being yelled into our windows, racial slurs being used towards my husband and nasty comments in front of my bedroom window (where the neighbors park their car). I had an elderly neighbor bring her grandson over one day to play with my son and while she and I sat on my couch (right inside my front door) the boys played in my sons room. About 15 minutes into our conversation my neighbor lady comes to my screen door and tries to yank it open (it was locked) and yells through the screen “shut the f*** up” my company was shaken and left immediately and I was left to try to explain to my son why he wasnt able to play in his own home. The next major issue happened about 3 weeks ago. My 5 yr old daughter and I were making a snack and she said to me “look mommy someone is washing your car” I looked out and saw suds rolling under my vehichle and figured it was the neighbor washing their car as they park directly next to us. I told my daughter “no one is washing my car silly, the neighbor us washing her own car” I begin hearing my neighbor yelling profanities once again except this time she was calling my 5 year old a b*tch. I grabbed my phone hit record and went to my door and asked “what is the problem?” The lady screams profanities in my face, grabs at my screen door handle (which I keep locked) and threatens to “whoop me” in front of my kids. Fed up i send my landlord the video along with a video of my 5 year old crying saying she wants them to stop calling her bad names and telling me shes scared because they keep trying to come in our house. I requested that she have a conversation with the neighbor and explain that we are being as considerate as possible but we pay rent too and we do not deserve to be treated this way. I asked her to see if they were open to discussing the layout of our homes and her boyfriends hours so we could be aware of what bothers them. I also addressed the termites again with my landlord at this time telling her that the one time I was able to communicate with the neighbors they had said that they hear EVERY little noise we make. They said they can hear our full conversations through the floor. I told my landlord that until the termites are addressed this issue will only worsen as the floors are paper thin and the neighbors patience seems to be as well. The final escalation to this point was last week. My husband and I were having a conversation and apparently they could hear it through the floor so the man came up and yelled in our door “shut the f*** up, I’m trying to sleep” my husband was standing near the door and said “Hey man, dont come to my door yelling profanities in front of my kids, talk to us like humans or go back down to your own house and talk like that, you’re not going to keep scaring my kids like this in their own home.” The guy pulled on my door handle (the one time I didnt lock it) and swung my door open and said “what’s up then cuz?” Both of my children were in the living room right between their dad and this crazy person so as I gathered them up and got them into my room my husband chased the guy out of our house. It’s important to note. My husband is 6ft 2 in and nearly 300 lbs. My neighbor is about 5ft 9in and maybe 150 soaking wet. Thank GOD we the back neighbor has security cameras and caught the whole thing on video. My husband never touched this man (although he would have been justified in doing so) he simply walked at him and the guy put his fists up and ran backwards back down to his house. My husband walked out towards the road to smoke and the neighbor came out with a goldmf club and completely shattered it across my husbands body. He had huge knots and bruises everywhere YET STILL NEVER TOUCHED THIS GUY!!! I have my son call 911 and text my landlord requesting that she ask if the other neighbors would be willing to allow her to review the footage and share it with the police because obviously they are not going to believe that this tiny guy just beat a giant without my husband ever laying a finger on him. This is where it gets REALLY crazy. My landlord calls telling me she is not getting involved and she will not ask for security footage and asking what I want her to do about it. I explain to her that her tenant just assaulted my husband in front of my kids with a deadly weapon ON HER property and that she is the landlord so she should know what to do about it. I didnt get into real estate and become a landlord so I have no clue how this would be handled. However, I do pay a hefty amount of rent and expect to be safe in my home and not have to comfort 2 terrified children in their own home everyday. I explain to her that having security cameras was a perk that she was sure to point out when she showed us the rental unit and it was a huge selling point for us to know we were moving our family into a home that was being monitored by security cameras. I told her that since I pay rent to her I feel that she is the person who is legally responsible to ensure that her other tenants do not assault my husband or consistently batter my children.
2 days later I recieved a “first written warning” claiming that WE have broken the rules by INTENTIONALLY disturbing our neighbors!!! I have multiple texts to prove that I did just the opposite and in fact did MORE than my due diligence to accommodate them, to the point of making my own family uncomfortable. I have since obtained the footage from my neighbor showing my husband being beaten with a golf club however, I do not know what to do at this point. When I went to my neighbor to ask for the footage they told me that the landlord asked them to move cameras and delete that footage and not to show it to anyone. I need a PPO and a new place to live however, covid-19 has EVERYTHING on lockdown so courts are closed, and we havent had income to even attempt to find a different place, not to mention we would be breaking a 1 year lease that we signed only 3 months ago. Someone please help. I am so ovewhelmed I could cry.
Ian Pisarcik says
Nicky,
It is against the law for your landlord to enter your apartment without giving notice unless there is an emergency.
It’s not clear to me why you are being evicted, but it may be worth talking to a landlord-tenant attorney to see if it’s a wrongful eviction. Most initial consultations with attorneys are free. You can locate one near you here. In addition, I would recommend reaching out to some non-profit organizations in your area that may be able to help with your situation. You might start here.
Ian Pisarcik says
Nancy,
If you’re experiencing harassment in your complex, your landlord has a responsibility to take reasonable efforts to make the complex safe. This might include providing a security camera, extra lighting, or extra locks. Is there a measure the landlord could take that would make you feel safe? If so, I would write a letter to your landlord asking her to take this step. If she refuses to do so, I would meet with an attorney in your area. In addition, I would continue to contact the police if and when this man is at your door.
Ian Pisarcik says
I’m so sorry this happened. Thank you for the comment.
Maria says
I’m currently renting in a lodge and was attacked by another tenant twice I have broken two fingers while trying to protect myself from a mirror being smashed over my head I’ve been having a lot of bad headaches since the attack happened the person was in mental health and I don’t think she should have not been here the landlord put alot of people at risk here she walked around at night with a butcher knife the landlord took the knife from her and told her to go to bed then the next morning she attacked me firstly she threw a hot cup of coffee at my head and it smashed then she ran in my room pulled a large mirror of my wall and smashed it over my head I need to know what I can do about the assult do I have rights
Erin says
Hello,
My family (Girlfriend and 2 y/o son) used to live in a 3 unit apartment. Our landlord lived directly above us in the same building. On Aug. 31st, 2019 he had a stranger over to drink upstairs. Our landlord had only met the person 1 time prior.
After finishing an entire bottle of bourbon, around 7:30pm the guest out of nowhere physically attacked my landlord. My landlord fell down his stairs and locked himself in his bedroom. The guest then proceeded to find something to start the entire complex on fire, starting up in my landlords apartment.
My family was home but I was at work. After being called home it had been determined that the entire complex was a complete loss. We didn’t salvage anything and we had no renters insurance.
The guest was caught two days later and is currently awaiting trial for Arson (felony c), 3 counts reckless endangerment, and battery.
My landlord had good insurance on the apartment and had a 100K umbrella policy as well.
Is there any way that we have a case either against my landlords insurance to cover losses or to sue him directly for negligence?
Any information is extremely helpful
Ian Pisarcik says
Maria,
You are certainly within your rights to file a civil lawsuit against your attack to recover damages (for your headache, etc.). In addition, you can file criminal charges against your attacker.
As for your landlord, there is a chance that they can be held liable for not taking measures to protect you from a known danger. I would recommend talking to a landlord-tenant attorney in your area if you wish to pursue a lawsuit against the landlord.
Ian Pisarcik says
Dee Ann,
A landlord has an obligation to make repairs within a reasonable amount of time. There is no set definition of “reasonable time,” but the courts will look at the whole situation. In this case, the landlord almost certainly did not make the repair in a reasonable amount of time. With that being said, it sounds like the damages are relatively minor and therefore it’s probably not worth paying an attorney to litigate the case. I would consider going to small claims court if you want to pursue the matter.
Ian Pisarcik says
Thank you for the comment. I’m sorry this is happening to you.
There are two potential courses of legal action here. First, you may be able to sue the maintenance person for negligent infliction of emotional distress. Keep in mind that these are difficult cases to win, and generally require that you show proof of an injury tied to the maintenance person’s actions.
Second, you may be able to sue the landlord for failing to take action against the maintenance person.
In either case, I would recommend meeting with a landlord-tenant or personal injury attorney. Initial consultations are generally free and the attorney will be able to tell you how strong your case is.
Ian Pisarcik says
Lynne,
Your best course of actually is probably to file a police report and explain to the police that your landlord has a video tape of the crime scene.
Ian Pisarcik says
Maria,
Thanks for the comment. Because you are currently represented by an attorney, it’s best that you direct this question to your attorney.
Ian Pisarcik says
Margaret,
I’m so sorry this has been happening to you. Here is a list of attorneys in California who can help.
Ian Pisarcik says
Thank you for the comment. I’m sorry you have had such a difficult time with your landlord. It’s certainly not true that your landlord isn’t responsible for anything in the apartment complexes he owns. In fact, the landlord is responsible for keeping the apartments in good repair. This includes fixing the issues you mentioned within a reasonable time. If he fails to do so, you–as the tenant–have certain rights, including withholding rent.
Ian Pisarcik says
Hiedi,
You can certainly attempt to negotiate a renewal of your lease by threatening legal action, but I don’t think this is what I would recommend. After all, what’s to keep the issues from continuing once you sign the new lease?
I would recommend contacting a landlord-tenant attorney in your area to discuss your options.
Ian Pisarcik says
Christina,
Landlord’s generally have a duty to remedy known dangerous conditions. In this case, an argument can be made that the landlord is liable for failing to close the gate. This is particularly true if it can be shown that the landlord was aware that the gate had been left open.
D says
Its been a yr since ive been shot my name wasnt on the lease but i was staying with a “friend ” when things started to get bad and my roommate shot me…. What can I do about that
Melissa Gold says
Hello. I’m so sorry to hear this. I hope you’re recovering and doing ok. It’s hard to know what you should do without having all the facts. It sounds like there might be some criminal law elements to this situation. A landlord is responsible for certain aspects to a tenant’s safety and preventing criminal activity, but that likely wouldn’t extend to a domestic situation between you and your roommate. You might wish to consult both law enforcement and a personal injury lawyer, depending on whether you’re looking to pursue a civil claim. It’s also probably wise to move out of the residence as soon as possible if you haven’t already. Please consider using the Enjuris law firm directory to find a lawyer who could help you pursue a claim. If you’re in danger, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline for assistance with leaving an unsafe situation and additional resources.
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Erin. First, I’m so sorry to hear this. I’m grateful that your family is safe, even though your belongings are gone. Yes, a landlord is responsible for protecting tenants against certain criminal activity. Whether or not your landlord was negligent in this situation depends on the facts and evidence. Since you didn’t have renters’ insurance, your best bet is to consult a lawyer who can determine based on the facts whether you have a claim for negligence and whether you can pursue a claim against the landlord’s insurance policy or if you need to file a lawsuit to recover damages. Please feel free to use the Enjuris law firm directory to find an attorney in your area who can help. Best of luck!
Melissa Gold says
Hello. First, I’m sorry you’re in this situation. As you mentioned, the court system might not be functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic as it would be another time, and that certainly complicates things. However, if your family is in danger, the local police department should still be able to intervene. It sounds like the landlord isn’t going to assist you in this situation, but if your husband was physically attacked, the police should be able to take some emergency action. Yes, the landlord does have some responsibility to keep tenants safe and prevent criminal activity but it will be difficult to take immediate action under the circumstances if your community has restricted court filings and services during the pandemic. You should call the police and let law enforcement know that there might be security footage; they can’t always recover footage that was deleted, but they might be able to find other evidence to support your claims. Please stay safe and healthy.
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Vaughn. I’m sorry to hear that you’re dealing with this. It’s not clear to me whether you’re in a private housing complex or if it’s part of a government program, and that makes a difference for how the situation would be handled. In some states, you must have physical injuries in order to make a claim for emotional distress, but that’s not the case everywhere. In order to be defamation (which includes slander and libel), there are certain criteria to meet. You can read more here about libel, slander, and defamation law. My suggestion is that you contact a personal injury lawyer who will advise you of your rights in these circumstances. You can use the Enjuris law firm directory to find an attorney near you who can handle your claim. Take care!
Shelley says
My neighbor has been told that her adult son cannot be there. The landlord has a no trespass order against the guy. The guy moved in, is still there after weeks. I’ve witnessed several drug deals between this person and strangers several times. I keep telling the landlord and they keep blowing me off. My safety is in jeopardy because of the criminal element here now. What can I do??
Ashely says
I am renting a apartment in FL. Two times now I have had a vehicle stolen from the apartment complex which tells me safety is not a concern for this apartment complex. It is gated but the gate is always broken it seems. They do not have any other security to protect people. Cops always seem to be in the apartment complex due to drugs. I would like to know if I case.
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Ashely. I’m sorry that this continues to happen to you. Yes, the landlord is responsible for maintaining a safe environment for tenants. If there is a gate that’s broken, the landlord could be responsible for failing to protect residents from crimes if they’re occurring on the property. Certainly, report a theft (or any crime) to the police right away. If you’re considering a civil lawsuit, you can contact a landlord/tenant lawyer in your area for guidance as to whether you have a case. This list of state and local bar associations can help you find one near you that can likely refer you to an attorney who handles these types of cases. Best of luck!
Jose says
So I’ve read a lot about safety and nuisances, but every article I can ever find just talks about drug dealing or prostitution on the property, nothing about just a trend of people coming in and breaking into things.
My wife and I moved into our unit just nine months ago and it’s been a bit of a roller coaster. We found out from our neighbors that just before our moving in, their garage was broken into and on a separate occasion their car was broken into. Then another one of our neighbors got her garage broken into. Someone tried breaking into our garage but luckily I have a pretty heavy duty lock on it. I’ve seen one car that had their windows completely bashed out. It’s all happened in one area of our complex, which also doesn’t have the best lighting or line of sight from the rest of the complex.
My car was just broken into as well. Each time the owner has been made aware of what’s happened and all he’s ever responded with was that he would look into better options for lighting and maybe surveillance; nothing has ever happened though.
Our resident property manager has told me that the owner is very aware of people coming in who don’t live here and are just up to no good, but the owner doesn’t do anything. The majority of these crimes are reported, as can be seen on the local sheriff crime map.
I’m just wondering if at any point can the owner be held liable for damage and or stolen items since he hasn’t done anything?
Marie Servín says
Hi, I rent an upstairs unit in an apt building. The owner didn’t put down proper insulation. My neighbor downstairs is constantly banging the floors when we walk around the house. And has harassed me at my door a couple of times. I have videos of my grandsons walking not running and she bangs so loudly she’s scaring the.m. I’ve been dealing with this problem for 2 years now. As a tenet what rights do I have ? Please help thanks
Ian Pisarcik says
Marie,
Generally speaking, your landlord has the duty to provide you with a livable, safe, and clean apartment. Minor noise-related inconveniences are expected, and I’m not sure the noises you describe rise to the level where a court would find that the landlord breached his duty. With that being said, if your neighbor is harassing you and your landlord refuses to do anything about it, you may have a claim.
I would first recommend trying to resolve this issue with your neighbor and landlord. If that doesn’t work, you may want to sit down with a landlord-tenant lawyer in your area to discuss your options.
Sarah baker says
my landlord keeps sending creepy guys in my house without any notice. Saying they r here for Miscellaneous things. One walked n on me fresh out the shower. This has occurred 3 times already what do I do… state of Texas
Ian Pisarcik says
Sarah,
Unfortunately, Texas is one of the few states that has no law requiring landlords to provide advanced notice before entering an apartment (in other words, a landlord doesn’t have to give you 24-hour notice, etc.). Texas courts have, however, held that landlords must get permission from the tenant to enter the apartment.
Your best bet might be to write a letter to your landlord explaining that workers have been stopping by at inconvenient times and requesting that the landlord first text you to make sure it’s a good time before sending someone over.
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Jose. Your landlord has a responsibility to maintain a safe environment, and they should be taking measures to prevent criminal activity on the property. The first thing to do is notify the property owner or manager in writing about the potentially dangerous conditions. If they don’t do anything toward making the property safer and providing better security, you can contact a landlord-tenant lawyer for advice on how to proceed. This list of state bar associations can help guide you toward finding a lawyer in your state who can help.
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Dan. I am so sorry that you’re dealing with this situation. Attempting or committing violence against these people isn’t the answer. Suing your landlord for $20,000 is probably not going to work unless you have proof that their actions cost you that specific amount of money. Personal injury law focuses on compensating you for the financial value of your injuries. You need to show how much a defendant’s actions cost you, and you can then file a claim for those specific costs. However, if there’s criminal activity, law enforcement should be able to help. In most communities, there is legal help available to people who require assistance, even if it’s not a criminal defense. You might start by contacting your state bar association, which can likely refer you to a legal aid lawyer who would represent you at no cost, or who can advise you of your rights and options. There’s a list of state bar associations here: https://www.enjuris.com/personal-injury-law/state-bar-association-directory.html. Take care and best wishes.
Jennifer says
I have lived in my a rental house for a year. The landlord recently moved her nephew in next to me. He has been harrassing me and my kids and has threatened violence against us. She knew beforehand that this individual was potentially dangerous and now I fear he will do something to one of us. Can I file a civil suit against her? I have paid all rent until now just to be harassed and threatened for the past four months but I’m looking for a new place to live.
Ian Pisarcik says
Landlords have some responsibility to protect their tenants from criminal activity on their property. To hold the landlord liable, the landlord generally must know about the criminal activity or have knowledge that the criminal activity is likely to occur. For this reason, I would recommend sending a letter to your landlord detailing the harassment and requesting that the landlord remove the tenant (or take some other action to resolve the issue). Be sure to send the letter certified with return receipt requested so that you have proof that the landlord received the letter.
If the landlord fails to take steps to remedy the problem, you can sue the landlord (to recover damages for the harassment and/or to force the landlord to evict the tenant). Due to the small amount of damages available, your best bet is probably to sue the landlord in small claims court. You might also consider obtaining a restraining order against the tenant.
Ian Pisarcik says
Landlords have some responsibility to protect their tenants from criminal activity on their property. To hold the landlord liable, the landlord generally must know about the criminal activity or have knowledge that the criminal activity is likely to occur. For this reason, I would recommend sending a letter to your landlord detailing the harassment and requesting that the landlord remove the tenant (or take some other action to resolve the issue). Be sure to send the letter certified with return receipt requested so that you have proof that the landlord received the letter.
If the landlord fails to take steps to remedy the problem, you can sue the landlord. In this case, your lawsuit wouldn’t be for damages but rather would be for “specific performance” (i.e., to force the landlord to take some action (evicting the neighbor, etc.).
Gloria Ramsay says
I live in a apt.complex where they have recently removed all the grass and bushes so they can xero scape the property.which I’m fine with the problem is this complex is supposed to be pet friendly ,but they replaced every thing with big size rocks and barrel cactus .right along the sides of sidewalks and made it almost impossible for me to walk my dog another concern is if my son who is disabled can o lu see out of one eye amongst other things mite trip or fall into cactus ,my self to being concerned also being disabled,and now there’s no place to put .y Barbaqu which is allowed it’s sad. Is there any safety codes disallowing these cactus being planted so close to to the sidewalks and other areas of the property
Joey says
My landlord claims she is a ‘Property Manager’ but has never posted her San Diego business license nor will she show it to me. I live in an SRO converted to apartment complex — so my landlord has stated as a reason for a new rental contract in 2018 and to collect rent on a monthly basis instead of weekly under the original rental contract. There are no mail boxes for tenants and the lobby office is only open two (2) days per week and never on the weekend, unless the 1st of the month falls on the weekend [to collect rent]. The landlord has begun to install posts along the front entry of the building, and it appears it will soon be closed for entry/exit — which means there will only be one entry/exit door for the entire building [54 units]. Residential restrooms [shared] have never provided toilet seat covers and haven’t been provided after my request. I will likely move out of my current rental in August 2020 — but until then, what recourse do I have? Thank you.
Mama Kat says
I have an interesting one: I live in a duplex, and the couple that moved in upstairs immediately began having loud smashy arguments – the man went on several days long benders and could be heard screaming, stomping and smashing things. I informed the prop manager and was told “What do you want me to do?” So I told him I wanted him to be aware that his new tenants were a problem and if it happened again I was calling the police. Which, I did when it happened again, this time with the drunk man wandering to our front door and banging on it looking for his girlfriend, who had left the premises. He was spoken to by police but nothing further. The VERY next morning my next door neighbor called me to tell me that this man was going in and out of the apartment and bringing things out to burn in his “fire pit” on the back deck, and fanning the flames with a patio umbrella. I called 911 and the police arrested him for felony arson. The prop manager eventually showed up and let us know he was going to cancel their lease and take him off it, including a provision that he was prohibited from the property. Days later, she had him over for drinks and dinner. I ratted to the prop mgr, who thanked me. a week later, he was supposed to only be there with prop mgr permission to pick up some things and leave. He has been having a sleepover for 3 days. I told prop mgr this and he ignored me. Since this man has already endangered our living environment by having an out of control fire (not to mention our neighbors homes), is this not his responsibility to do something about ensuring our safety?
Adam says
My building is removing all the concrete walkways in front of our apartment well they busted a pipe right in front of my apartment and I walked out and fell into it twisting my ankle and hurting my back there is no signs no kind of anything around this 3foot by8 foot muddy hole with a exposed copper pipe sticking out I don’t know what to do
Zoe Campos says
It’s good to know that I can hold a landlord liable for the rude behavior that one of his employees had exhibited last week. My mother came to visit me in my apartment and he insisted that there are no visitors allowed during weekdays although we have specifically discussed that my mother had emergency medical treatment that day and needed a place to stay for the night. My mother felt verbally harassed and the employee’s accusation is caught on CCTV, so I’m really determined to hire an attorney and sue my landlord.
Ian Pisarcik says
Adam,
I’m sorry this happened to you. Under premises liability laws, landowners have a duty to warn visitors (and tenants) of dangerous conditions (such as a muddy hole). Based on the information you have provided, it sounds like you might have a legitimate claim.
I would recommend reaching out to an attorney in your area. You can use our free online directory to locate one. Most personal injury attorneys offer free initial consultations and can tell you whether you have a good case and what next steps you should take.
Ian Pisarcik says
Zoe,
You should reach out to a landlord-tenant attorney if you want to sue your landlord. You can find one using our free directory. Most initial consultations are free and the attorney will be able to review your case and discuss your options.
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Kat. I’m sorry to hear you’re in a tough situation. Calling the police is the right move if someone’s safety is in immediate danger. The property manager does have a responsibility to keep tenants safe and prevent a potentially hazardous situation, as long as they’re on notice. If you believe that your property manager or landlord isn’t doing what’s necessary to maintain a safe living environment, you should contact a landlord-tenant lawyer. You can begin by using the Enjuris law firm directory to find a lawyer in your area who handles these types of issues. Best of luck, and stay safe.
Leah says
I am a 63 year old lady renting a house with 2 other roommates and we are all on the lease. After a week of signing the lease the one 37 year old female is controlling, aggressive and has verbally abused me. She has not physically touched me yet but I feel like I am in imminent danger. I just tried to get a restraining order but was denied. I have told my landlord everything but he won’t do anything because he said he doesn’t want to get involved. Can I sue my landlord if the roommate gets physical and hurts me?
Kristie says
I live in East Texas and my husband is disabled with MS, wheelchair bound, our home we rent since March 2020 has black mold we just recently found out, the owner will not do anything. Our porch was falling through when we moved in and he said he’ll fix all repairs and has yet done it so now there’s no top step my 13 year old daughter went through it, I went through a board as well and the railing fell on my husband and almost went off the porch. The owner tells me it’s my problem. Also says I didn’t pay rent for April when I did and plus I cleaned the home before moving in for rent and deposit and still paid him 150 in March and 600 in April. He tells me pay him more money and he’ll fix everything.. my husband is disabled and owner is aware of it. If a fire I can’t get him off the porch at all.. please help me I don’t know what to do I need help.. thank you
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Kristie. It sounds like your home has a variety of issues that need to be fixed in order to be safe. Your landlord does have a responsibility to maintain a safe living environment for your family and to repair damages that could be dangerous. The federal Fair Housing Act also says that a landlord must make certain reasonable accommodations at the landlord’s own expense for a tenant who has a disability. Those accommodations don’t include structural changes like installing ramps, widening doorways, etc. If you’d like to make structural accommodations for your husband’s disability, you may do so at your own expense with your landlord’s prior approval. The landlord is also permitted to request that you undo the modifications when you leave.
If you believe the landlord isn’t performing the reasonable fixes to damages, you should contact a landlord-tenant lawyer. You can contact your state or local bar association if you’d like to find legal assistance in your area.
Maria says
My truck was park at its assigned parking space I had gotten home from work around 5:30pm I went out to get milk for my kids at 8:00pm and my truck was stolen . I reported the incident my truck was found by the police but with engine transmission computer I basically just received the shell. I am now scared to even go inside my other car park in my assigned parking spot ! I seen homeless an other vehicle windows being broken in . They need to put a gate for assigned tents to be the only ones going in . I am scared for my safety and I have kids. The truck was stolen between 5:30pm to 7:59 pm still daylight what if I was going out with my kids at that time . What if the person had a gun!
Ian Pisarcik says
Maria,
I’m so sorry this happened to you. Your landlord has a legal duty to take “reasonable steps” to keep tenants safe. I would recommend writing a letter to your landlord explaining the issue (that your truck was stolen, the windows of other vehicles have been broken, and the area is unsafe) and requesting that he implement some security measures, such as motion lights, a gate, or a video camera.
Maria says
I did all he did was laugh and he said I am sorry I hope you have Insurance. Same as what I tell all tenants when this occurs ! Can I do anything else
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Maria. As Ian mentioned, a letter that puts your landlord on notice of what’s happening is a good idea. But if your landlord isn’t responsive, you might wish to seek the advice of a landlord-tenant attorney. You can find an attorney near you here, or you can consult your state or county bar association for additional options.
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Leah. I’m sorry you’re in an uncomfortable situation. There’s likely not much the landlord can do to maintain your safety inside your own apartment with a person you selected as a roommate and who is also on the lease. If you feel that you’re in imminent danger, calling the police is always a good idea. It sounds as though rather than focusing on the landlord’s liability in the event that this person injures you, it might make more sense at this point to look into an alternate living situation and how you might be able to get out of the lease with these people. Your state or local bar association likely has resources available for advice and guidance on how to get out of your lease and find a more suitable place to live.
The other alternative is to call the Domestic Violence Task Force. Although you’re not in a “relationship” with this person, it’s a domestic situation because you live together and the hotline might be able to connect you with help to find a new place to live.
Mr. and Mrs. Pardo says
My husband and I have lived in a large apartment complex for over a year now, we also rent a storage unit from the complex. On 4/19/20 my husband and I went to our storage unit and saw that from the inside of the unit, someone had put paper towels over the small window in the door. My husband cautiously opened the door and we stood in shock, the entire unit had been ransacked and someone else’s items were in there with ours. There were cases of water and random items that did not belong to us. We entered the unit to inspect what we could and try to process what we were seeing. It was late at night and we were nervous being there, we didn’t know if the individual(s) whose items were in our unit would show up any second. We quickly took several pictures and left. I immediately emailed the property manager, called the police and filed a report. The manager emailed me the next day and fully admitted to “inadvertently” renting our storage unit we’ve had for almost a year to a separate tenant. The next day we went to the unit to check the status of our belongings but our key didn’t work, they changed the locks without letting us know. When I asked about this, I was told that we would get our new key in a day or two. We received an email 2 days later that our key was left in a lockbox at the office, the manager also informed us that she opened OUR storage unit and let the other tenant get his stuff out, without letting us know anything or even be there. When we finally were able to get into the unit, we were devastated! ALL of my husbands Sports Memorabilia worth thousands of dollars was gone, he has an eBay store where he sells these items to pay for our IVF we started in March, and we planned on using the rest to buy a house next year. Everything was tossed around, rifled through, and damaged. My wedding gown, personal, private information about us, paystubs, medical records, pictures, journals and priceless mementos given to us, some of them were my late grandmothers. We have tons of photos, emails, and several witnesses that know what we had in the unit, as well as the condition of it before this other person was given access to our storage unit by the apartment complex. We are now terrified of running into this person, he literally knows everything about us, what we look like, what apartment we live in, our SS numbers, everything. We live everyday in fear and anxiety. I’m currently on hormone therapy for IVF, I’m very emotional and am supposed to avoid any undue stress. This ordeal has me in tears everyday, we’ve lost everything and the apartment complex had their attorney send us a letter basically saying they deny any negligence. They are negligent, they are the ones that made the mistake and essentially gave away our belongings. When my sister and brother in law moved in years ago, they also rented a storage unit. They informed the manager that someone else’s belongings were still in the unit, the manager at that time told my sister that the previous tenant must have just left everything behind and told her to just throw it away. I’m pretty confident they told this other individual the same thing.
There is much more to this nightmare along with photos, videos and emails to provide as evidence, I’m just having a difficult time finding an “affordable” attorney, or one that will work on contingency, to take the case.
Tony says
I live in San Leandro California and I am a senior disabled veteran in wheelchair with respiratory issues my landlord which are new they bought the property in January and they’ve been bothering everybody since then to fit new windows to change the two prong Outlets to 3-prong Outlets I actually don’t do anything now they want to come exterior of the building we are in a shelter-in-place we cannot go outside and do anything so we have our Courtyard sit-in conversate at a safe distance during this Coronavirus so now they want you have all these construction people running around close to us and we have a pandemic going on my question is why is this possible for them to do that around seniors and put our lives at risk there’s quite a few seniors here
Jasmine H says
I have lived in my apartment going on the second year . The first whole year I had no downstairs neighbor and I got a downstairs neighbor that moved in in February. Ever since I been smelling very strong marijuana smoke that has been a nuisance and causes me a great deal of anxiety. I’ve called the rental office and they left a notice on her door but the problem continues to occur. I’ve also contacted local police but not sure if they were able to get in contact with her. I’m fed up but don’t know what I can do. Please help!
aron mach says
hello, my car was stolen in my parking lot in my apartment building and there is cameras everywhere in the parking but the management don’t want to give it to me and I think that they aren’t working, what can I do?
Jon snow says
Hello I wanted to know if I am able to request to see the video feed at my apartment complex. Since a package may have been stolen.
Beverly says
A man was in our yard at 8:30 at night on April 10th and he was hiding in the bushes my unarmed husband went out side and told him repeatedly to leave and the man shot him 2 times in his left leg and then as he limped away shot him in the back of his right knee. Then proceeded to shoot at my house. I am a renter and was wondering if homeowners insurance would help out at all if I contacted my landlord?
Mayra says
Okay so I have an interesting case, might be a long read but here we go…
First things first, we have I live on the top 3rd floor, and we share an enclosed staircase with the middle unit ONLY (the first floor condo’s front door leads directly outside). All of the condominiums in this community are privately owned, so while some own, some have independent landlords. I rent from private landlords, and the unit below me has different landlords as well.
So I have been at my condo for 3 years now, first two years were good, no complaints. Until last year when our downstairs move in last year. At first, I seemed like it was an older lady with her two teenage sons, couple months later an older man later identified as the woman’s boyfriend. At first everything was okay with them, louder than previous neighbors we’ve had, they have a large pit pull that barks, and would often hear arguments between the woman and man, and staircase would reek like cigarettes but I am one to mind my business so I let mostly everything slide. At the beginning of the 2020 year, things started to get weird. We noticed that the woman and the man were gone and the two teenage sons were still around, they started to have a RIDICULOUS amount of foot traffic in and out of the staircase, increased amount of noise (mind you we live above them, so the noise level was crazy) leaving trash, food and cigarette butts in the staircase. MULTIPLE times we found sketchy people hanging out on our staircase, sometimes sleeping, they would hang out there because the tenants below me would not answer the door so they would hang around until they either answered or came home, I can’t tell you how many I’ve told people to leave. Also, many drug paraphernalia was being left around the staircase , burnt foil with trail marks of heroin and homemade pipes, I have an 11 year old son so you can imagine how this is incredibly unsafe.
Ever since these incidents started happening, we’ve reported it to our landlord asking them to talk to the owners so they are aware of what’s going on. They always tell us to call the police if there is people on the staircase, and that they will call the owners, but never followed up with us after. I have numerous texts messages and picture pages of me bringing these issues to their attention, which after a while they started to completely disregard our complains and would not answer us. I took matters into my own hands a couple times, as I had to knock on their door to pick up their trash in the staircase, and twice during quarantine when they were having loud parties at 3&4am… which was another thing, here in WA state had a pretty strict stay at home order, which my family was strictly following, but almost seemed like all of our efforts were going to waste as there was so many people in and out of our staircase bringing their germs here. Other neighbors started to notice the activity and told me they think they are seeking drugs due to the drug paraphernalia being left around and the foot traffic coming in and out, not to mention our vehicles were being broke into.
So on April 20th at 1:30am, my son woke us up screaming to get out of the apartment because the building was on fire, I got up in a panic and saw that the fire wasn’t in our apartment and it must be the unit below us, I thought maybe they had a meth lab down there and blew up or something, I walked out of my apartment that night thinking all my belongings were gone. I walked out to the staircase which is where I saw the smoke and all the sprinklers were going off, by the time we got out fire fighters were already there. My poor son was so scared and traumatized crying outside soaking wet at 2am. The hour that we were outside, the neighbors in my downstairs unit had SIX people coming to “visit” them at 2:30??? They all either looked homeless or on drugs, they asked me what happened and left on foot. The fire marshall came out and did an investigation, turns out it was an arson and the arsonist used gasoline to set the building on fire, one of the friends that came to visit told us they knew who did it and they tried to set the place on fire because they were upset with my downstairs neighbors, I couldn’t believe it. On top of that, the fire department evacuated the whole building but the people in the problematic apartment hid in their apartment the whole time the fire was happening and wouldn’t answer the door to the fire Marshall until one of their friends just casually walked into their place and called them out, I was in shock.
My family left that night because we were so incredibly scared, my landlords had recently moved to Chicago so I called them first thing in the morning and told them what happened, the staircase was ruined and there was smoke and water damage everywhere. This is when they told me they have NEVER got in touch with the property manager or owners of the unit below so all of our cries for help did nothing, which ultimately led to putting our lives in significant risk. I was so livid and told my landlord I was going to break my lease because of unsafe living conditions, he agreed and didn’t put up a fight. I told him that I was actively looking for a new place and would let him know as soon as I knew, well with COVID-19 it was incredibly hard to find a place but we finally did. Also, the downstairs tenants were given a 30 day notice instead of being evicted immediately, I just was just astonished in disbelief. The crap didn’t stop after the fire, kept happening,
My question is can I sue them for negligence? They completely failed at proving us with a safe place to live after numerous complaints, which we literally could have died. Now I have to move at an unexpected time and spend lots of money on moving expenses and lost wages. And truthfully all the emotional trauma we had to endure.
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Mayra. I’m so sorry you’re going through this, especially right now. The thing about a personal injury lawsuit is that it needs to be based on what actually happened and not what could have happened. I can imagine how frightening and devastating it was to live through that fire. However, it sounds like the contents of your apartment were not damaged or lost and that the landlord let you out of the lease when you asked. You can only hold the landlord responsible for your expenses that arose from their failure to maintain safe premises. They’re required to maintain a safe living environment for you, but since you were able to find another place to live and they let you out of the lease, there might not be much that you can sue for at this point. It’s not clear to me why you experienced lost wages because of this, but that could be a factor if it’s directly related to the landlord’s negligence. I hope you’re settled in a safer living arrangement and you and your son are doing well.
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Beverly. I’m sorry to hear this and I hope your husband is recovering from his injuries. First, this sounds like an issue that should be reported to the police. Second, are you trying to obtain homeowners’ insurance to cover expenses from his medical treatment related to the shooting? The landlord is responsible for maintaining safety as far as reasonably foreseeable dangers. If there was no way for your landlord to foresee that this could happen, it would be hard to claim their responsibility for your husband’s injury. It also might depend on the specifics of their homeowners’ policy. You might wish to consult an attorney to see what your options are. They might write a letter to your landlord and make a claim against their insurance policy if they feel that the property conditions were somehow favorable to those specific injuries. You can feel free to use the Enjuris law firm directory to find an attorney in your area who can help. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Jon. Yes, you may request security camera video. They might not be obligated to provide it to you, though. If you suspect a theft, you should report it to law enforcement and mention that you believe there might be video footage.
Vanessa Robertson says
My landlord son live next door every night you smell weed coming through my air conditioning. Can i sue my landlord for her smoke weed that come through my center air conditioner .I have text her about but his still doing same thing. It get on my nerves so bad I a 60 year old it cause breathing problems. I PEOPLE. LIKE BEING AROUND PEOPLE WHO SMOKE .CAN I SUE MY LANDLORD.
Pixie Dust says
My apt manager has a very closed mind & she never believes me. She is helping to put me in danger. I’m married to a stalking narcissist & it just got worse. I was broken into six times & she didn’t believe me. The seventh time, my meds were stolen & I finally got my lock changed. I have a problem with high blood pressure & she knows it. I ended up in the hospital several times with blood pressure over 200, because of her. My microwave stopped working, the water got cloudy, then the air quality was bad. My symptoms were like corona, but the hospital believes it’s the poor air quality. My apt. air quality still doesn’t look right & my chest is very irritated & I’m exhausted. She feels all they need to do is clean out the duct work & wash the walls, but the appliances are old, there is a huge sink hole right behind us. Another smaller one has opened up & this makes me nervous. My husband is spying on me, he has quite a few people harassing me & I found a pair of scissors in my bed. There was a fire, on the stove, just the back burner, but the smoke was way to much for a contained fire that I beat out. The police, fire marshal, the management & some others were nasty as all & will do nothing. When, I was broken into, whoever trashed the whole apt. & it looks like a cyclone hit it. All they want to do is harp on the housework & driving me nuts. I have high blood pressure & it goes too high & I land in the hospital again & again. I can’t afford the ambulance bills nor hospital bills anymore. I’m not well & have to go to a neurologist, another neurologist feels it is stress related & will get worse, if all this doesn’t stop. One decent officer said “This is prejudice & I should report & go to the state police where he resides. He is in federal prison & I’m terrified of him. I took too in too much smoke & had a heart attack. It was minor & no damage. I came back home & was treated terrible by the police, fire marshal & the management. When, I am ill & I’m a lot, she doesn’t care & tells me to do my best.” I’m tired of her. I made a complaint to the FTC & it’s going on their data base. He told me to call the attorney general of my state. I told the apt. staff how serious this is & do not talk to any one asking about me. My daughter came to the apt. office to ask about me. She found out about the fire & didn’t give a dang about me, just wanted to be newsy. I do not want my family to be talked to, because my husband hired someone to overdose me. If I would have drank the whole thing I wouldn’t be here. Then a woman with 6 police records was hired. They removed the stove, but I check that stove over with a fine tooth comb & found something I thought was fishy. Everyone was blaming me for the fire & the fire marshal said “The fire was started, because I fell a sleep. This is not true, I fought the fire & got it out & landed in the hospital. The hood was quite damaged & the small fire didn’t go that high. The middle of the inside of the hood had fire damage, the light was hanging & looked black. The fire was on the right & didn’t touch the hood. I feel something is very wrong here. I kept my big pans in the oven, to store them & I almost lost them. They took the stove outside, with my pots & pans inside. They said there was plastic stick to a burner. I feel it’s a set up, because there was no plastic. The plastic thickness & a slight yellow color is nothing like I have. There was a piece of cement on the stove, where did that come from? I was talking about the stove on social media & another staff member. I was going to take a picture of it, but that quick & quietly it was removed. Because the apt. manager opened her mouth, someone, at the time, of all this going on, got into my apt. & did all kinds of things to harass. There were scissors in my bed, things were moved around & where I didn’t put them. This went on all through the apt. I once found a black kinky hair attacked to a paper towel & no one here has that type of hair. Then, someone came in an email, phishing Bucks County protection for the aged as scare tactics, the way he was talking, I knew it was my husband. From all this harassment I landed up in the hospital with 222 blood pressure. My duoditis (fighting an ulcer) is hurting all the time) My husband will not leave me a lone. I do not feel safe here at all & feel like a freak show. My business got out & people I do not know knew. A couple of tenants were very nasty with me & even slander my name & nothing is done about it. I want the air quality checked & the source found & the office manager refuses. I feel like a caged animal, because I’m going through financial abuse on top of everything & can not afford to move. All this is hurting my health, high blood pressure, worse tendonitis & I’m palpitating hard & fast. The spring of 2017, my AC was squealing & grinding, something terrible, I reported it & was told borderline harassment. A year later we had three small floods & the sink hole opened up. Also, after all this, the bathroom sink clogged, which I unclogged & it looked like greenish black anchovies. There was an attempt to take out a full rent on a closed acct & the credit union gave me proof. I’m an abuse victim & also an advocate for anything I agree with, especially fraud & abuse & I have started my own advocacy. I offered them free help & many people feel this is prejudice & harassment & I’m at the end of my rope!
Deborah says
My property manager was told that the next door tenants have a dog they signed a lease stating no pets but obtained one 1 yr later on the down low it was reported manager came out asked about the dog tenants said it’s my service animal.its untrained unruly poops everywhere ripes up the garden .this is not a service dog.as a tenant do I have rights if my property manager just sits on this or can I go over that persons head?
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Deborah. If the lease agreement prohibits pets, the property manager shouldn’t allow a dog that’s not a certified service animal. If you believe this dog isn’t a service animal and the property manager is aware and permitting it, you can contact the rental company or property owner and make a complaint.
Heaven H says
My neighbor was cleaning his gun and didn’t know there was a bullet inside the gun still; he ended up shooting that bullet through my apartment and it went through 3 walls while I was less than 2 feet from where the bullet was shot. This happened a little over a year ago. Would I still be able to file a civil suit against my apartment complex for not doing anything regarding this situation. The man still lives next to me and I was still forced to pay rent on time regardless of my emotional state of mind that caused me to miss work. Now it’s a year later do I still have a case?
Pixie Dust says
My apt manager knows that I’m ill & my BP can go up to 222 from stress. I eventually told her that I’m an abuse victim. She doesn’t believe half of what I have said. I have been broken into several times, in the course, of a year. If I didn’t barricade, God knows what would have happened. Someone was breaking in with me home. I saw my door open, but stopped, because of the barricade. They refused to change the locks & it just kept happening. My medicines were stolen. That is when, they finally changed the lock. No, burglary alarm. I was bitten by a mouse. I had to go to ultra care for antibiotics. She has talked bad about me & told my business to others. People I don’t know, know my business. I told her not to allow my family in this apt. or talk to them, so what does she did talk to them & told my brother-in-law about the small fire I had. He tells my daughter & her husband drives her here. I found a pair of small scissors in my bed. She also talked to an protective investigator who has 6 police records & that woman hassled me some more. When, the AC was grinding & squealing, I told her & she did nothing. The maintenance men just walked in, looked around & said nothing is wrong. A year later 3 floods out side & right behind me off to the right is a huge sink hole appeared. Each break in trashed my whole apt, except the bathroom. Now, even though I’m ill, she has hassled me so bad, she has helped cause a stress related illness & I need to see a neurologist. No, understanding, no compassion, doesn’t believe with that close mind of hers & she lies terrible. I came into my kitchen & found my micro wave not working & it wasn’t the microwave. Then, the water went cloudy, then the air is so hazy, even the hospital said that will do it. I have a migraine headache, my eyes are so dry they hurt. My nose is so stuffy, & I’m slightly congested & exhausted. Eventually, I had a small stove fire that I put out. Due to all that smoke, way too much smoke for a small fire, I took a minor heart attack & landed up in the hospital. I came home & was treated horrible by the police, the fire marshal who lied about me & of course, the management. She harped on cleaning again. I can hardly believe being treated so badly after a heart attack. She won’t even try to find the source. Bad air quality can cause cancer & lung problems & she doesn’t care. The hood to the stove was damaged, but not by the small fire, because the fire wasn’t that high & there was no damage to the right side of the hood. The middle, where it’s open is damage. Looks like fire had come out of that hole, the light was hanging & black & it wasn’t like that, when I beat out the fire. After I came home, a few days later, the bathroom sink drain clogged again & I unclogged it. What came out of it was a greenish blackish slimy anchovy type slime. A lone the hall way, that is an entrance way, right by the walls, the whole length is slightly black & my friends don’t want me to touch it. My head feels like it is going to explode. All she cares about is money & cleaning. I need to get away from her, but going through financial abuse & can’t afford it. If she would leave me a lone & stop lying, maybe I would feel better. She told me the maintance man check the drain & said all cleared. Shouldn’t they pay me for doing maintance chores. Why does it take me so long to put in a report, because I’m tired of what they put me through.
Ian Pisarcik says
Thanks for the comment.
The statute of limitations on personal injury claims is generally 2 or 3 years (depending on the state). So, you still have time to file a lawsuit. With that being said, your landlord probably isn’t liable in this situation because he didn’t act negligently. There is a chance, however, that your neighbor is negligent for cleaning the gun with a bullet still in the chamber. This is probably a difficult case to prove unless there are additional facts that I’m not aware of. Nevertheless, you can always meet with an attorney in your area. Most initial consultations are free and the lawyer will be able to tell you whether you have a legitimate case.
Pixie Dust says
I may have a law suit against the apt management. She has been just awful to me for 3 & a 1/2 years. They went as far as trying to take a whole rent payment out of a close credit union acct. They even charged me their $50 fee return payment. I got that back, but they refuse to admit trying to take out a rent payment from a closed acct. I am an abuse victim, who is also going through financial abuse. The apt management ruined 3 Christmases trying to evict me, because I refused to pay $150 late fee. It was the bank & not me. Just before my husband started paying the rent, she agreed with me & stopped the eviction. I got the letter on the day of court, but she told me a head of time. I have been broken into, on & off, for two years the end of 2018 into 2019, into this year, I was broken into 7 times & robbed once. She refused to believe me & refused to change the lock. I’m also ill & have to go to several doctors & my blood pressure can go up to 222. I do have proof of this. We have a huge sink hole behind us a little off to the right. When, I was broken into, I was also trashed. My whole apt. looked like a cyclone hit it. She is nasty about house work. I have a case, took me a year to almost get it done, because of all the BS that is going on. They charge $150 late fee & if you don’t pay it, they will evict you!! When, my medications were stolen, that is when I got the lock changed. All they do is lie. On May 1st I had a small fire that I contained & got out, but the smoke was unreal for a small fire. It looked like the entire apt went up. I stayed in the apt too long & ended up with a minor heart attack. AS I was putting out that fire, two tenants that were neighbors started harassing me, banging on my door to argue. I had no time for that. When, they made me go outside, I was treated terrible. Having a heart attack & the same thing coming home. She harped on the house keeping & I saw nothing about that in the lease, when I got home from the hospital. They are gossiping about me, people I don’t know, know my business. I feel like a freak show. Neighbors have done things that caused me problems including malicious slander & they do nothing. I have a mouse for months & they give me cheap mice traps. I have a Cockatiel, so no chemicals can be used. The mouse has been here for months & I’m tired of picking up mouse droppings. Some weeks before the minor fire, I had cloudy water, my micro wave stopped working, due to their circuitry, I have haze all through my apt. which is toxic air & not good to breathe in. The fire I had, wasn’t acting right, the stove was burning my pans & my food. There was a slight order. I was working up my courage to talk to the office, but dreading the BS. The fire happened. When I came home, the bathroom sink clogged up again, so I plunged it & blackish greenish slimy anchovies looking substance came out. I freed the sink When I told her that, she told me it was looked at & cleared. Of course, it was cleared, I cleared it. She has been doing nothing but lying. She said the fire marshal had told her “That the fire got its start because I was sleeping. No, one could sleep through that alarm. I was fighting that fire & my broom shows it. When, I came home, I was told my daughter stopped by to ask about the fire. She wasn’t there, because she cared, she was up to no good. My family were robbing me & tried several times more & abandoned me, so I had told the office to talk to no one in my family. If they come ask them to leave. I find out that the manager talked to my brother-n-law & he told my family. My daughter comes here. The management told me the duct works were cleaned & the walls were washed. The walls were not washed. They look no better & they weren’t that dirty. There were a few marks on the walls, that I didn’t get to & still there. The furniture was not moved. Then, she said the restoration company was in here with a maintance man. I told her, unless there is an emergency no one can come in here without my permission. She said “Nothing was touched.” Another lie.” I found a pair of scissors in my bed, I had boxes in front of my double doors as a barricade, from being broken into so many times. They were sloppily removed. Blinds were taken down & thrown on boxes & another blind was taken down & thrown on the box my table is in. Nothing was wrong. They went all over my apartment. My jewelry box was open, but nothing was taken. I was getting a wash ready, I found the laundry on my bed, they had my unmentionables in their hands. I had cleaners, on the floor, they were on the tub. I don’t use sponges, so I found an unopened pack of 4 on my sink & one in the sink. The soap & its dish were on my husband’s bureau. I had somethings, on the floor, someone picked a whole big pile up on put it on the table that I was going to clean & it fell over. Nothing touched REALLY!! I found a box that a new hood came in, so I hunt the old stove down & found it on the back patio. I checked out the hood & it had signs it had a fire. It wasn’t from what happened with the stove. The hood’s damage was in the middle of the hood, the fire was on the right. The cover was off, the light was looking black & hanging & there was fire damage coming from out of the center. I found my broom being thrown out. The broom was proof & the dust pan was being thrown out. I had near $100 in pots in the stove for storage & they almost got thrown out. There was a rock on the stove & a piece of plastic stuck to burner that wasn’t on & it wasn’t sitting right. I checked out the plastic & I have nothing like it. I feel they were trying to frame me for what they caused. I talked about that on line & a few hours later the stove was removed quietly, It has been out there since the May 1. I never heard it. I was bitten by a mouse & I had went to Ultra Care to get checked out. When I came home, I found a long black kinky hair, (Still have it), in my kitchen, stuck to a paper towel. The kind of hair that the manager has. I was pulling my kitchen a part & had to leave in the middle of it. The spring, when I came here, the AC was squealing & grinding & I reported it & was told borderline harassment. A year later, there were 3 small floods behind us & the huge sink hole appeared. She once had a contractor out using my electricity without telling or asking me. I came out of my bedroom & saw my door forced opened & a plug in the socket & panicked. The contractor got upset, that a work order wasn’t placed & no one can take your electricity without your permission. The bank took away their automatic payment, because of their fraud. They said it’s against the law lying to the bank, The manager, the police, the fire marshal were all so nasty, that I went back to the hospital, with 222 blood pressure. She also called up a woman, without my permission. This woman had six police records & caused problems. I had enough of the manager causing me constant problems & endangerment. I would move, but I can’t, because of financial abuse. I asked her the name of the company several times & she avoids answering me. There was no restoration company. So people were in my home, doing what that felt like & the manager won’t tell me who they were either. I want to press charges & want to know who was in my home without my presents. I don’t feel safe at all. The mouse chewed off the prongs of an expensive blood pressure unit. What next!
Gloria jean says
Hello. I’m wondering if I can break my lease of a first 12 month section 8 lease. Mine an my 3 young sons lives are being threatened many times and all my neighbors do drugs and they come into my apartment all day everyday I’ve called n complained way to many times to be told to call a cop they wont take my complaint so I do n the cops say its management who needs to deal with the drugs an threats. I’ve tried contacting my section 8 worker but all she did was yell at me like I’m 12. I have gotten three lesser violations from both my landlord and section 8 worker for my kids being to loud and my kids father coming to much I have contacted Keith Ellison the state of Minnesota General attorney and they advised me that my fair housing rights are being violated because of covid-19 and because the mayor’s thinking about no violations for noisy kids so I’m trying to contact legal aid and I can’t get them to call me back but they trespassed my son’s father who comes for a few hours every day to see his kids he does spend two nights a week he is not violating my lease under guest rights so I don’t know why they trespassed him but then I heard the caretaker Ami say that Lincoln Estates anoka’s and want any witnesses to what’s going on in my home I constantly have management listening outside my door I have management recording my household I have management looking into my home from an empty unit across the parking lot in another building of theirs I’m terrified for my life and I can’t get Section 8 to contact me back I can’t get management to do anything to help me and I’m pretty sure that we would test positive for marijuana and meth that my neighbors constantly use can somebody please help me I want to move before my 12 months lease is up and 5 months left I was advised to get restraining orders against management and the tenants if I did that one that allow me to move any further questions feel free to contact me All this is happening during covid 19 stay at home order too would this be discrimination possible hate crime?
Gloria jean says
Also each and every tenant here signed a drug free crime free environment yet everyone around me is doing meth or smoking weed and it is coming in to my home via outlets, under my front door, through my patio door, an vents I’m in a party building all my neighbors stay up partying all night an into the am but my family sleeps at night we wake about 8am and I’m told my new hours of quiet here is 10pm to 10am so we wake them up some mornings an they complain. We are asleep my 9pm an wake about 8am yet I’m the one in trouble here. Noone is taking me seriously
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Gloria. I’m sorry you’re experiencing an unpleasant living situation. You might wish to review the terms of your lease. See if there are specific “quiet hours” and what the rules are about smoking and other substances. A lease can’t permit anything (like substances) that is prohibited by law, but laws on marijuana vary by state. So, if marijuana is legal in your state and the lease doesn’t prohibit it, it would be more difficult to complain about that. Meth is illegal throughout the U.S., so if you suspect that it’s being used, you’re welcome to call the police and make a complaint that they can investigate.
As far as your waking them before 10am, I think it depends on whether what’s waking them is normal sounds of people being awake and moving around in their own space, or if there’s excessive noise. Usually, a quiet hours policy refers to loud music or other major disruptions and not the normal noises of someone’s being awake and moving throughout their living space.
If you need additional help, or if your complaints aren’t being taken seriously, I’d suggest you consult a landlord/tenant attorney for more assistance. Best of luck!
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Gloria. I’m sorry this is happening. It sounds like there are a lot of issues here, and Section 8 housing works a little differently from a regular lease agreement. There are reasons why a tenant might be able to break a Section 8 lease and still remain eligible for subsidized rent payments, but you’d definitely need to consult the housing authority in your state to get more information and authorization for that.
It’s definitely possible that COVID-19 is changing the rules a little — some authorities have relaxed pursing certain kinds of violations right now because their resources are limited and they have more serious issues to handle. How these issues are being handled really depends on your specific city or local law enforcement and government.
Still, you shouldn’t have to live in an unsafe environment. If you ever believe that your personal safety is being threatened, you should definitely call the police. No one should be coming into your apartment without your permission, and you’re under no obligation to allow anyone in who doesn’t belong there.
You should consider contacting a landlord/tenant attorney, and particularly someone who’s familiar with Section 8 housing requirements. Your state or local bar association might be able to help you to connect with a pro bono lawyer who can work with you at no cost to resolve your housing situation. You can find one here by searching for what’s available in your state: https://www.enjuris.com/personal-injury-law/state-bar-association-directory.html.
Best of luck and stay healthy.
AC says
So my landlord owns private property. Two months into the lease she informs me that she has ran a criminal background on me to find out I am on probation and that I can no longer live at the apartment I rent from her because her son is on parole and paroled to her address. Her home is in the front and I rent an apartment in the rear in a separate building. I have lived here and have never been late on my rent. All I do is work, sleep, and eat. I have never been a problem to her. I’m offended by the fact that she would run an impromptu background on me which I know is her right, and then demand me to leave as a result. Furthermore, I feel that if her son is on parole, that she has a responsibility and obligation to provide that information to me prior to me signing the lease and moving in. I feel I am being discriminated against. What do you think/suggest?
Maria says
Hello I was wondering if someone could give me an advice on a problem that I am facing since two years. The lendlord rent a psace above my space in which the CfO is ‘no profit’ o a ‘profit’ orporation and 2 mens feom this office started to harass me and the business. I have reported to my landlord a year ago and he did not do anything. I stopped to pay the landlord and sent him a letter a year ago advicing him of the matter and he never reached out to me or took precautions on the tenant. I received during pandemic an order of evinction from him and a request to pay the rent not given. I also think he sold tje building to the same guy who did the harassment…how could I defend myslef not only from the emotional nightmare that o faced for 2 years but also from failing my business to recover also from the money lost.
Melissa Gold says
Thank you for sharing your story. I’m so sorry you’re experiencing so much hardship related to your living situation. It sounds like there’s so much going on — my best suggestion would be for you to seek the advice of an attorney who handles landlord/tenant issues. You can find a lawyer near you in our Enjuris law firm directory. There might also be no-cost legal services available to you. You can reach out to your state bar association, which might be able to provide some additional resources. Best of luck to you.
Melissa Gold says
Hello. I’m so sorry to hear all of this, but thank you for sharing so many important details. It sounds like you might need assistance both from a lawyer and from law enforcement. If you’re the victim of a crime (or crimes), you should report it to the police — certainly, if someone is entering your apartment without your knowledge or consent, that’s something that should be addressed right away. Please be sure to always keep your doors or windows closed and locked in order to keep people out who don’t belong there. Also, if your living situation is unsafe and the apartment manager or owner isn’t able to help, you should contact a lawyer who might be able to have you released from your lease or contract so you’re able to find another place to live. There are victims’ advocates who can help, too, and they can provide resources for you to find a safer living environment. Please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233); there are advocates available 24 hours a day to help you. Take care.
Tara says
I rent an apartment in Davis County, Utah. My car was broken into. Does my landlord have to go over surveillance video, with me, of the night it happened, if I request her to?
ScaredinLA says
I have been threatened repeatedly, harassed, and stalked by my neighbor. Not to mention he attached illegally to my electricity and has stolen packages. I am an older lady who has lived here many years with never a complaint. This man moves in next door and tries to take over the entire property, to include my apartment and front yard, and was parking literally 5 inches away from my front window and only 2-3 feet from my front door. I politely asked him to stop. That was my property, he needed to park on his property. I was told a few choice words and that’s how it began. I won’t let him park in my face. The landlord has told him repeatedly to move, not to do that, but he continues. He pretty much does anything he wants and the landlord talks to him but nothing ever happens. I have a video of my neighbor making a threat against me, saying he was going to get a friend of his to teach me a lesson because I keep telling the landlord all the illegal things he does, like dumping his trash at my door. The problem is, the landlord does nothing but talk. The neighbor keeps threatening and keeps on doing what he was told not to. I have videos of this man beating on his pregnant girlfriend, threatening people in the neighborhood, being a menace and the police have been called several times and no one does anything. He is one of those guys who is ‘charming’ so when he tells them I’m just a crazy old cat lady, they don’t take me seriously. I’m a retired nurse who works at home now in Quality Assurance and I can assure you I’m not crazy. But I am terrified. What can I do?
Andrea Flores says
I live in an apartment complex where the landlord is a slummer, i moved in because he presented a pest free dwelling and then put it in the lease. Not only did i have pests i spent multiple attempts to contact him directly. It took me calling the building and health inspectors to get him to even make a change, now when h e comes around he makes comments like oh your dog likes me but u dont. It has nothing to do with like but im holding him accountable for the legal agreement he wrote? If im expected to pay rent on time monthly, there are responsibilities he also agreed to.
Ian Pisarcik says
Andrea,
When a residential apartment is not fit for living (no hot water, no heat, significant bug infestation, etc.), the tenant generally has 4 options AFTER they provide notice to the landlord and the landlord refuses to fix the issue:
1. Move out and end the lease
2. Repair the issue and deduct the cost from your rent payment
3. Withhold your rent (and place it in escrow) until the court resolves the issue
4. Keep paying rent and sue the landlord for money damages
To discuss your options and make sure you go about them properly, I would recommend meeting with a landlord-tenant attorney in your area. You can find one here.
Melissa Gold says
Hello. I’m so sorry to hear that you’re dealing with an unpleasant living situation.
It’s unfortunate that your landlord doesn’t seem to be handling your complaints properly. My suggestion is to contact a landlord/tenant attorney to fully review your options. You’re correct that the landlord has an obligation to maintain a safe and hazard-free living environment for tenants. Without knowing all the facts of the situation, my best advice would be to find an attorney. You can use the Enjuris law firm directory to find one in your area who’s experienced in this area of law and who can help with your situation. Best of luck.
Moniquee says
I just found put that the past two months ive been suffering from exposure to insulation in my basrment. It started w my face. I noticed what appeared to b tiny thin white hairs on my face and witnessed my acne start to fill with pus. And became more worried when i realized that the wounds were not healing. They healed so slow it caused worse scarring on my face. Then one night i thought i was having what i can only guess an allergic reaction would feel like. I itched every where so bad. Even my eyeballs. For two days it was bad then calmed. But i noticed my skin texture was very odd. Very different. And i noticed again that those hair like fibers were now on every inch of my body. When i tried to pull one off it would hurt and feel like it was trying to almost dig deeper. Or like it had barbs. Two of my fingers went numb and i realized there was some kind of buildup under my nails that had fused my nail to my skin and wouldnt come off and hurt. I began panicking thinking tgere was a parasite or fingus on me. I couldnt sleep. I was afraid my kids would contract it. Then my heart started hurting all tge time. I started getting nosebleeds. I think my liver even was inflamed at one point. It became painfull to walk. My legs swelled. I wemt to a walk in appointment and was brushed off as having acne and a rash. Was given antibiotics. Over time my symptoms started lessening but not fully. My skin texture was still wierd and id still find thise fibers. Then today i started spring cleaning my basement. And by nightfall i was in a panic fearing what ever it was was coming back or flaring up. I broke down to my brother and we together realized that what was covering my bosy head to toe was actually fiberglass installation! The past almost 3 months have been devastating to my mental and physical wellbeing and traumatic to say the least! I am so upset. I feel like my landlord has been negligent in keeping up the property and its safety. Can i take him to court for what i wnt thru am going thru again and all the trauma its caused?
Ian Pisarcik says
Tara,
I would file a report with the police and tell the police that your landlord has a surveillance video. That way the police can force your landlord to share the video.
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Moniquee. I am so sorry to hear that you’ve been suffering. The first question would be whether a doctor has documented that the symptoms you’re experiencing are related to exposure to insulation. In order to seek any legal remedy, you need to be able to prove that your illness was caused by the condition (which might mean not just your own doctor saying so, but you might be required to get opinions from additional physicians, too). The next question is whether the reaction is from airborne particles of the insulation or from physical contact — and if you’ve had physical contact, the question would be how and why. In other words, is the insulation exposed in an area of your home that shouldn’t have exposed insulation? Exposed insulation in an unfinished basement might not be negligent on the landlord’s part if it’s not considered part of the home’s living space.
So, there are several factual issues that you’d need answers to before you consider a lawsuit. The main thing is that you would need to show that your landlord was negligent in how the property was maintained and that their negligence caused your illness or injury. If you believe that both of those elements are present, please call an attorney who can advise you how to proceed. You can feel free to use the Enjuris law firm directory to find an attorney in your area who’s ready and able to take your case. Best of luck – I hope you feel better soon!
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Maria. I’m sorry you’re in this situation. The pandemic has affected how evictions are handled in some states. It sounds like there’s a lot happening here, and I’m not quite sure what you’re asking. It sounds like you’d like to stay in the space and fight the eviction, but also be protected from the actions of these other individuals. If your original landlord sold the building, you’d have to make your complaint to the current building owner. However, if you’ve received an eviction notice, that complicates things, too. My best suggestion would be to find an attorney in your area (or if you have one for your business) who can help resolve these issues. Best of luck.
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Vanessa. Much of this depends on whether marijuana is legal in your state, and whether there are any provisions in your lease with respect to smoking. You can find an attorney who can review the lease agreement with you and help you determine what your rights are in this situation.
Amelia says
After nearly a year of warning property management and the landlord of the driveway caving in, it finally collapsed and took nearly the entire foundation on one side of the house with it. All ten tenants in the house were sleeping (it was 1:30 am), and were evacuated by the fire department and the house was immediately condemned. It has been almost a month later and we have no timeline for when we will be able to retrieve our belongings. Social Services stopped paying for our hotel costs (renters insurance said it was the homeowner’s responsibility, and he won’t pay for the hotel costs), so we were forced to find permanent housing and re-buy furniture and other possessions. Several of us, including myself, have begun mental health services for trauma and panic disorders. What is the landlord’s liability? Are they responsible for only possessions, or should pain and suffering charges be pursued due to the cost of mental health services and interruption to regular life?
Marleny says
Tonight around 9 pm while I was on my bed watching tv In my room with my 3 year old son I suddenly hear a gunshot really close to my apartment i then quickly get my son and we lay on the floor incase anything else happened. At this moment I’m in complete shock and I’m thinking it was somewhere else around my apartment, and not mine. Because I barely moved like a month ago to this apartment complex and I don’t have problems with anybody. So while I’m in shock I grab my phone and immediately call the apartment security phone number that the apartment complex manager gave everybody when they move in and I dial it but it’s the person that answered says they’re not the security from the aparent complex now mind you it’s a sunday so I’m thinking maybe security was off because it was sunday? Even though I see security every night it was so weird that this one night security was not working. Anyways, right away I call 911 and report what happened and after the call I check to see if I see any bullet holes where my bedroom window is at and that’s when I see glass on my bed…. and I turn to look at the closet door and there was the bullet hole it went straight through the bedroom window then through the closet door. I’m in more shock, I suffer from anxiety so my anxiety levels are really high at this moment and I’m still in shock thinking what the heck is going on…so when police arrive they ask if I’m okay and start checking outside for anything suspicious im outside with them explaining what happened and that’s when I see there was a second bullet hole but on my upstairs on my neighbors window too and this upstairs neighbor just moved in like a week ago and I’m always hearing arguments upstairs where she lives and like fights so i’m.more shocl for me I’m thinking is my neighbor okay..?? So the police go knock on her door and she opens the door while holding her 7 to 8 month old baby she kinda looks like she’s been crying…the police ask here if she okay and if she saw that they has shot her window and she says yes …but she hadn’t called the police or anything… police only make me a report and tell.me they don’t recommend me staying there anymore because it’s not a safe neighborhood because they always get calls for stuff and they couldn’t tell.mw for what. What happens after this? I don’t have anywhere to go?
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Marleny. I am so sorry this happened — I’m sure it was very scary, and I hope you and your child are safe. If you believe there’s a serious safety issue happening, you can and should always call the police directly. If there are ongoing issues with violence, the landlord should be providing ways to keep you safe. They can’t control other people’s behavior, but they might be able to do something like installing additional protections on windows that will help to prevent bullets or other objects from entering.
Unfortunately, only you can figure out if there’s somewhere safer for you to live. A landlord/tenant attorney can help you to be let out of a lease if you feel that the conditions are unsafe and you’re not comfortable living there. You can also call your state bar association to see if there’s a way for them to refer you to additional help. Often, there are no-cost legal services for people who need assistance and the bar association might be able to help you find those resources. Again, I hope that you and your child are safe and that this issue is resolved quickly. Be well.
Brian says
Hi,
You seem really great at replying to all these comments and really don’t know who to ask but I have landlord (it’s a long story and I’ll skip most the details of how this occured but I need to appeal because I didn’t get a lawyer anyway) in the meantime we’ve now been evicted and in our state CA you have 15 days to remove your belongings. All of our belongings are inside of this 3,500 square foot 4 bedroom single family home. The landlord told us we will have 1 day to remove the belongings and he said he is giving us 2 hours and no more to do it. Is there a law of how much time a landlord needs to give you to be able to remove your belongings from your home after eviction? I feel like this might be common as landlords would be upset at a tenant they need to evict but I’m not sure any help would be greatly appreciated! And I will be looking through your attorney directory shortly thank you!
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Brian. It sounds like you’ve done your research!
The state of California has a few regulations with respect to eviction notices. You can see more detail specific to California here: https://www.courts.ca.gov/27810.htm. Under some circumstances, the renter has 3 days to correct the condition that’s the subject of the eviction. If you’re on a month-to-month lease, your landlord can give you a 30-day notice. Tenants do have rights! You’re correct that if you’ve already moved out of the property but left belongings behind, the landlord would need to notify you that there are belongings and give you 15 days to remove them.
I would definitely suggest consulting a lawyer if your landlord is pushing you to move your belongings in a shorter time frame than that 15-day window, or if they’re only allowing you 2 hours, that doesn’t seem to be in keeping with the law. Please do use the directory, as you mentioned, to find a California lawyer who will help protect your rights. Best of luck.
Tami says
I have lived in the same apt for 6 years. I live in the middle of a 4 plex so neighbors on both sides. I have been threw 4 really really bad neighbors in my 6 years. I’m talking drug dealers and major drug users as well. This means everything that goes with these activities. All have been evicted!!! The owner/manager always seems to rent to these certain people. When or if I complain he tells them who and what I’ve said and has talked with these people about me. This evening my new neighbor went crazy and told me the owner/manager told her I was racist and she was going to do something to me for asking them to keep it down at 4 am while they were outside fixing their car via the owner/manager. What can I do about this guy?
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Tami. Unfortunately, confidentiality of complaints isn’t really a requirement for landlords. I’m sorry you’re dealing with this situation. Certainly, if you believe you’re being threatened and your safety is in immediate danger, you should call the police. Likewise, if your neighbors are violating a law or any municipal noise ordinance, for example, you can also call law enforcement (but be aware that there’s definitely the possibility of retribution). Yes, your landlord is responsible for your safety to a certain extent. They’re responsible for the actions of their employees. When it comes to other residents, they can be sued based on failure to protect a tenant from the actions of other tenants if there weren’t precautions taken or if there’s a criminal history.
However, in order for you to have a claim, you’d need to have evidence of specific crimes committed or if you suffered injuries. You can’t really prohibit your landlord from renting to anyone unless there’s actual evidence of criminal activity. It’s definitely not always easy to find a new, better place to live. But if you haven’t been injured and if you don’t have actual evidence of crimes being committed on the property, there might not be much you can do to change the landlord’s choices of tenants. Again, if you do witness criminal activity or if you’re being threatened, please do call the police to handle the situation. Best of luck.
Jerry says
I built a 12 ft rock climbing wall on the property I rent. Can my landlord make me remove it due to fear of liability in the case I get hurt. If I get hurt I know it would be my own doing but I took all the proper steps to ensure I’m safe and minimize risk. So basically what I’m asking is would my landlord be liable if I hurt myself with my rock climbing wall?
Jake says
Hello,
I live in Texas in an Apartment Complex. I told the staff at the apartment complex over a month ago that i fall into the At Risk category for COVID-19 (i have Chronic Bronchitis). This last week they had 3 to 4 people come into apartments come into peoples apartments ALL week long (they came into my apartment on 3 or 4 separate days) to basically change light bulbs (i have no issue with this). They are doing this again the upcoming week. NONE of these people have been wearing face masks or even doing social distances and this is my problem. If any of them have COVID 19 then that is putting me at more risk than the average person. What can i do about this? Doesn’t this violate some law against endangering the life of a tenant or something?
I am using an alias for privacy sake.
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Jake. This is a scary time for everyone, and unfortunately we’re all dealing with so many unknowns when it comes to COVID-19 exposure. Some Texas counties have laws requiring masks for employees, but not all. Certainly, I think it would be reasonable for you to ask your landlord to require any maintenance people or others who need to enter your apartment to wear a mask. According to this article, Governor Abbott said, “Government cannot require individuals to wear masks… local governments can require stores and business to require masks. That’s what was authorized in my plan.”
Again, if your landlord won’t ask employees to comply with your request to wear masks when entering your apartment, you might wish to call your municipal officials to learn more about the mask requirements in your county. Stay healthy.
Pixie says
Thank you, Melissa, for the info. After being home for a while, I realized someone threw more things around. They removed the boxes that I have barricading the back double doors. The man who should not have been in my apt. removed the stove & put it on the back patio. He left the boxes a mess, From the last 1/3 of the double doors all the way around to my sofa. I’m getting the blame for most. I had quite a few bags & things, in the entrance hallway, to be put out on trash day & two boxes & small bags also that are my soon to be ex’s. I’m getting heat for that, too. Here while I was in the hospital, there were people in & out of here & some theft. Someone took a picture of the mess being trashed & blames it on my house work. I put in a counter claim & the insurance tells me they closed it, because I already had that claim in. That is not true. I tried to leave them a message, but they wouldn’t accept my policy number. Something smells rotten in Denmark, if you ask me. Fire in my home & I’m not even home. I do not feel safe at all. Last night, Tues. 6/22 I walked into the bathroom & stepped into a deep puddle, my pants were wet. It seems to be coming from under the toilet. I hope it stops, because I do not want to see people right now. I reported her here & on a site could Yelp & to a higher up management. I had a heart attack & she will not stop riding me. Making me dread waking up to another day of possible Hell. Some one told me to report this to the attorney general. I’m going to start looking for a lawyer. Trying to ruin my integrity &. the organization I am barely starting to help people free of cost. About a week or so ago, there was a knock, on the door, at 1:45 A.M. twice. It was a child around 10 to 12 playing a prank. The list goes on for the past 3 & a half years. It has been a nightmare!
M says
I’m in an apartment in Beverly Hills, CA. There have been a series of break-ins of my vehicles, and a neighbor’s. I’ve brought this up to the landlord and property manager. But, the most they’ve done is install non-functional cameras. However, break-ins continue to happen. What are my options? Does their liability extend to the reasonable expectation that my vehicle – which is parked on premise in an assigned parking space off the main street – should be reasonably safe?
Melissa Gold says
I’m so sorry you’re dealing with so much. Yes, it’s probably time for you to call a lawyer. There are also resources available if you need temporary shelter while you look for another place to live, if that’s an option. It definitely sounds like there are a lot of issues here. Please do look for legal help, and take care of yourself. If you need a place to begin, you can use the Enjuris law firm directory. Best wishes.
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Mrs. Pardo. I’m so sorry for your losses. I know that losing material things that are important to you and unable to be replaced can be devastating. There are definitely personal injury lawyers who work on a contingency basis, but I wonder if perhaps they need some costs paid up front in order to cover expenses associated with investigating your claim. You might also check with your local law enforcement if you believe that a theft has occurred; that won’t do anything to compensate for your losses, but it might prevent someone else from being in this situation if the landlord or manager is held responsible.
Please consider checking with the Enjuris law firm directory to find a lawyer in your area. I hope you’ll find someone who’s affordable, and my very best wishes for success with your IVF treatments.
Melissa Gold says
Hello. Yes, you should be able to expect that your vehicle that’s parked in a lot owned by the property should be reasonably safe. A landlord is responsible for taking reasonable measures to keep the property, its tenants, and your belongings safe from harm or criminal activity. “Reasonable measures” might include (working) cameras, a fence, security guards, or other accommodations as necessary. Also, if your car has been burglarized or vandalized, you should make a police report each time (and encourage your neighbors to do the same). If your vehicle has been damaged or you’ve lost items, you might be able to make a claim against your landlord for those costs. Depending on the amount of your losses, this might be a small claims action. If you need a lawyer to help you make a claim, please feel free to use the Enjuris law firm directory to find someone near you. Good luck!
Elizabeth says
My family and I have been living in this residence for a little over an year now. Since December of last year we have been getting into it with our neighbors who are directly across from us (they’re about 10ft from our door) we cannot leave out and see them because something is constantly being said. We’ve been called racial slurs, have surveillance of them flicking off our cameras a few different times, sweeping trash on our side, and even just recently allowing their dog to pee on our car. We’ve reported all these incidents to our landlord who has done absolutely nothing. Do we have any options here? We’re in California.
Ian Pisarcik says
In most cases, the landlord is only liable for injuries sustained on property the landlord is legally obligated to maintain (such as the steps leading up to your apartment). However, whether or not the landlord can force you to remove the rock wall (i.e., whether or not you’re allowed to construct the rock wall in the first place), depends on the state you’re in and the terms of your rental agreement.
Ian Pisarcik says
Whether or not you can receive pain and suffering damages depends on your state. However, most states allow pain and suffering damages in this situation. If the landlord was warned about the driveway and failed to take reasonable steps to remedy the problem, he is liable for any damages stemming from the dangerous condition. I would recommend meeting with an attorney in your area. You can find one here. Initial consultations are free.
Ian Pisarcik says
There is a legal process for forcing your landlord to show you the security footage. However, your quickest bet is to file a police report and inform the police that your landlord has security footage.
Ian Pisarcik says
Jasmine,
If marijuana is legal where you live and smoking is permitted in the apartment complex, a court is unlikely to provide you any relief. Your best bet is to try to work out an agreement with your neighbor or to convince your landlord to implement a no smoking clause in the rental agreement.
Ian Pisarcik says
Generally speaking, you can get out of a lease if you have a valid safety concern that your landlord is not addressing. However, before you attempt to do so, you must send your landlord a written statement informing the landlord that you do not feel safe and explaining what measures you want the landlord to take to make you feel safe. You then need to give your landlord time to make those changes. Whether or not your safety concern is “valid,” depends on the specifics of your case and the laws in your state. I would meet with a landlord-tenant attorney in your area if you want to explore your options.
Ian Pisarcik says
Generally speaking, court’s are reluctant to step in due to odor complaints. However, if those odors are harmful (such as carbon monoxide), you can likely file an injunction against the landlord, which will prevent the landlord from creating the toxic odors. I would recommend meeting with a landlord-tenant attorney in your area to help you through this process.
Ellen says
Hello,
I recently moved to NJ into a 2 level apt. in a brownstone. During my first day there, I put a chicken in the oven in the kitchen on the top floor. There was an electrical fire in the kitchen wiring to the stove. Turns out that there was no carbon monoxide or smoke alarm on the top floor where the kitchen was. I went to the restroom. Our dog started making noise, which is how I learned of the fire. I called 911 and it was another 5 min. before the basement level smoke detector went off. Our belongings were destroyed in the fire. Moreover, my son and I inhaled a lot of smoke. What is the landlord’s responsibility and liability when he doesn’t install a smoke or carbon monoxide detector? Do I have any legal recourse for compensation? *Note our renter’s insurance wasn’t in effect yet. I’m upset that my son and I were in an apt. without the smoke alarms and fire inspection required.
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Ellen. I’m glad you and your son are okay! You’re correct that any apartment building is required to have detectors, both for smoke and for carbon monoxide. New Jersey state law says that a landlord or building owner is required to obtain a Certificate of Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector Alarm Compliance from the local fire department before an apartment is occupied or when any new tenant moves in. A CO2 (carbon monoxide) detector might not be required if there’s no attached garage or fuel-burning appliances, though. In addition, the landlord does have the responsibility to take reasonable precautions to keep tenants safe. It sounds like the landlord should be responsible for replacement costs for your belongings, along with the expenses associated with any medical care you and your son received, if you can show that your things would have been saved if the fire alarms had been working properly. You might also wish to verify with your landlord that the correct alarms and detectors are now in place in order to prevent another situation from happening that could put your or your son’s safety in jeopardy. If you need a New Jersey landlord/tenant lawyer, please feel free to use the Enjuris law firm directory. Be well!
Ian Pisarcik says
Thank you for the question. Whether or not you can sue likely depends on the frequency of the shooting. Your landlord is responsible to take reasonable measures to keep you safe. For example, if shooting are common at your complex, it would be reasonable for the landlord to install motion lights and a security camera to deter shootings. However, if shootings are uncommon and random, there’s little your landlord can do to protect them and therefore he or she is likely not liable.
Robbie says
Hey. I’m a student living in Liverpool in a student home. Yesterday I was moving house and there is a gate with a key safe through the bars that’s contains a fob to open the gate so you can get your car in. Much like the walk in gate, you put your arm through the gate to use. One of the workers put their arm in and put in the code and opened the gate, after this we left and came back. I then put my hand through the gate and did the same and the gate crushed my arm to the point it could have potentially have been broken. The employees got my arm out after two minutes, however during this he was having a go at me saying it was my fault and I was an idiot? I don’t know how it could be my fault, there’s no signs saying not to do it and the other employee did it as well! My friend has a video of the incident and landlord has cctv (he could easily delete it though I imagine if he knows it will affect him) – what would your advice be to do? My arms very swollen and weak now as well. Thankyou!
Changing Space says
It is really great and nice article.
Ian Pisarcik says
Thanks for the comment!
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Robbie. It sounds like you’re writing from the UK. I’m not familiar with the laws outside the U.S., so I can’t offer much with respect to the legal process where you are. However, I would definitely seek medical treatment for your injuries and seek a lawyer near you who can advise on your legal options. I hope you feel better soon.
Mhurt says
Hello….I am being evicted because a guest of mine was leaving and outside in the parking lot he was stabbed. Due to one of the attackers yelled where is m,y money, they say it must be drug related. There has been a lot of traffic in and out of building and due to the stabbing I am being blamed and told that I am dealing drugs. All there allgations are wrong. there are cameras in each of entryway. The traffic is going to another unit and I am being accused. What can i do?
Ian Pisarcik says
Depending on your state, you may be able to file a lawsuit against your landlord for wrongful eviction in small claims court or superior court. Keep in mind that landlords can generally evict tenants for any reason (though the terms of your lease may state otherwise). However, even if the reason is lawful, the landlord still needs to follow certain procedures set by law.
I would recommend meeting with a landlord-tenant attorney in your area to discuss the strength of your claim.
Johnson says
Hi, I live in Louisiana. New neighbors moved in upstairs apartment in June. They have dome sort of device/machine/printer that goes on and off all day and night . It makes a grinding sound that I hear very clearly in my apartment. The problem is eveytime in log in on my drvices( phone, tablet ) they machine upstairs comes on. I feel I am being Cyber Stalked. The machine is over my bed at night causing me to not get any sleep . I told the director of the complex about the noise and she called them. Their response was the only hVe a fan and A/C no machine/device/printer . They LIED. If they are Cyber Stalking me, what is the responsibility of the complex to keep me safe?
Pixie Dust says
I found out that while I was in the hospital about 5 people were in & out of my apt. My apt has been trashed so many times I’m just about given up & tired of cleaning an entire apt over & over again. The apt. manager knowing that I have been trashed several times, had someone come in unannounced & took pictures of the apt being trashed. They also made a mess & my daughter got in & also added to the mess. I got blamed for everything & she put a claim into my insurance. I called the insurance & told them everything & all the lying. They are waiting for pictures of the damage which there was not much. In over two months the insurance is still waiting. What really worries me was the maintenance man was in the apt. & there was a second fire. Why on earth was there a second fire, when I wasn’t home? After the fall of 2018 when the break ins started, it took them until this year to change the law. The maintenance man, of course, tried to say the fire happened when I was home, but I reminded him the first fire I put out. All they do is lie about their tenants & blame them. There is black all over the place. My closet floor, both sides of the long entrance hallway, around doors, under furniture, before furniture. I have just about all the symptoms of mold. Of course, maintenance said “It;s not mold.” I asked him ‘What is it?” He said, “I don’t know” All this black, in the one spot has grown. I’m asking the insurance for the pictures & complaint to add to my report. I reported the manager to a higher up & she hasn’t bother me for about one month. I am still thinking about talking to a lawyer, because they went as far as trying to frame me to cover up their lies. Why was there a fire, in my apt., when I was in the hospital. What was 5 people doing in my apt without my knowledge & no emergency. I saw the damage to the hood grate & they threw away a few things of mine, because they had soot on it. They never bother to clean the rug & there is soot all through it.
Melissa Gold says
I’m sorry you’re going through this experience. It really sounds as though you need someone to advocate for your rights as a tenant. I would strongly advise you to find someone who is able to help you deal with the management and perhaps help you find another place to live, if possible. I’d encourage you to reach out to your local bar association or a legal referral service that can help you find low-cost legal help. I hope you feel better soon and that you’re able to feel safe in your home.
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Johnson. I don’t think that cyberstalking normally happens through noise-making machines. But, if you want to be extra careful, be sure that your personal wifi network is password-secured (and change your password frequently). You can also call your wifi provider and verify that your settings are secure and see if they can offer you any additional protections.
As far as the noise is concerned, you can check your lease agreement to see if there are any references to “quiet hours” or rules regarding noise. I hope you’re able to work this out and get a good night of sleep!
kim says
i live in NY. four months ago i moved into an apt that supposedly redone (from mold and poor condition). I noticed that the windows were dirty the Manager told me he would clean them. I moved in and complained again he said they cleaned it. So i got tired of waiting and tried to clean them myself upon realizing the windows don’t open (mind you I am in a so called basement dwelling). I informed the landlord who informed me it would be done in 1 month. since then they replaced windows in a vacant apt on the property but not mine. Again I was given a bunch of stories just to string me along so the rent got paid. My first concern is if there is a fire by my only exit (the front door) we are dead “I am in a fire trap”, I also don’t understand how they could get a CO from the building inspector. I’m being told I cannot sue landlord and I am in a 1 year lease. I finally sent a letter to landlord (enough of texting and phone calls) and explained that I am concerned for my safety. Her response was the window people will come (oh and I have to wear a mask and respond back to her) in two weeks and then then are booking the job out for two months. This is not fixing situation within 30 days. Are you kidding your concern is a mask not a tenants safety.
My other issue is humidity it is always about 75% humidity in this place. The landlord has a a/c heat wall unit which I was told has a dehumidifier control WRONG! I called the manufacture and they told me the control is to eliminate moisture only if I am experiencing high humidity I need a dehumidifier (which i explained to the landlord) they want to wait to replace the windows and see if that helps, with high humidity comes MOLD.
here is a clause in my lease does this keep them from any responsibility, does it mean I cant sue. Can I break my lease?
20. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION. Landlord shall not be liable for any
damage or injury of or to the Tenant or Tenant’s family, guests, invitees, agents or employees or to any
person entering the Premises or the building of which the Premises are a part or to goods or equipment,
or in the structure or equipment of the structure of which the Premises are a part, and Tenant hereby
agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Landlord harmless from any and all claims or assertions of every
kind and nature.
thank you for any advice
Jim says
In New York state does a landlord need to have homeowners insurance or landlord insurance? My landlord is telling me he has no insurance on his home that I rent. His home is worth about 300k and my rent is $1700 a month. I find it really hard to believe he doesn’t have insurance or that he doesn’t need it like he is telling me. I do carry renters insurance for my safety.
Ian Pisarcik says
Neither homeowners insurance nor landlord insurance is required under the law in New York (though many banks require one or both types of insurance before providing financing).
Alex says
My apartment supposedly fixed my AC leakage one day after Months of complaining. I removed the bucket that was catching the droplets and the net day it started to leak again. I notice it as I was walking to the bathroom and my foot step in a puddle of water. I then pulled the bucket out and called it in again, they said someone will come out. No one showed up and the next day it was leaking from another location and I did not know I was walking towards the living room with my flip flops on and almost fell but I reacted quickly enough to stop my fall but my back has been hurting none stop til then and my Ac is still not fixed and so I constantly have to mop and walk tensely around my apartment because of fear of falling.
my kids though? says
I had a confrontation with a maintainence worker at my complex today. I was taking the garbage out with my children and we were walking down the sidewalk when I realized after we had walked through it that a section of sidewalk was partially dried and we had unfortunately left footprints in it. When we walked back my 6 year old daughter being a child put her handprint in the cement. The worker saw and asked what the [blank] she was doing. Then started yelling at me. When I pointed out that it wasn’t my fault the area was unmarked and had no barrier to deter foot traffic he proceeded to insult my children (calling them out of control animals) as well as threaten me when I told him to do his job. This is the most recent in a series of issues I have had since moving into the apartment. Is being threatened by an employee of the development grounds to break my lease? Because I draw the line at being threatened and having my children insulted. I am breaking lease either way after today. I would just like to know if ill be on the hook for the rest of my lease or if I have legal grounds to vacate. Thanks in advance.
Dave says
I told the landlord of the mobile home I am renting almost a year ago that in the back yard on the home and deck, that termites have ate away and is in bad shape. Now, tonight I go outside to let my cats out and decided to go down the steps to the yard when the wood step broke and I fell forward. It has scraped my left knee pretty good as I landed on it and my shoulder and neck. I have cuts on my shoulder and my neck hurts so bad where my index finger is tingling and numb. My hip hurts pretty bad and hard to bear any weight on it. I guess I laid in the yard for over 20 minutes before I was able to get up. All of this was caught on security cameras as well. What should I do?
Howard A says
I need a lawyer. On May 1st I rented a room in Forest Lawn and I fell down the stairs. I went to Dr that day and got Xrays taken that shows I have a bone spur in my left achilles tenden. I do Construction flagging for work and its hard enough at 51 to stand on your feet for 10 to q2 hours. I feel the pain after an hour on my left foot but have no chouce but to take the pain as I need to make a living. To too it off the owner installed a bannister that night I fell
Ian Pisarcik says
Howard,
I’m so sorry this happened to you. If the stairway was dangerous, you might be able to sue the landlord based on premises liability laws. You can locate a personal injury attorney in your state using our free online directory.
Sandy says
The landlord sold the building and the new one has been coming into my apartment doing repairs bringing people not wearing a mask in spite I have told them that I have an underlying disease and we are in the pandemic , and I should not have people coming into my apartment . He has been bringing all type of excuses saying that there are “urgent water leaks “and texting me that he would be into my apartment even in my absence. I requested him a 24 hours notice , but he just came to tell me that “for him” that was an emergency and his contract protect him even from the tenant rights and laws in Massachusetts. He even didn’t shut the water off early today, as everybody would do in “an emergency”. This is an old building there are stains and old leaks that could’ve been repaired in the basement as the old landlord did in the past. I am the only one in the apartment, he told me today that he will be here even If I am not here.
Nova everly says
I have housing and I live in the projects for the past 4 years. I have to say that for the past 2 years it’s been hell living here. I live here with my 3 children and although I am thankful n blessed to have a roof over my kids heads I can’t take living here anymore. I see it as I am a single mother with 3 children and my job as a mother is to keep my babies safe and never put them in a dangerous situation but living her I feel like a failure. I feel less then a mother and as I failed my babies because it’s not safe here and it is completely dangerous. I have housing and I live in a housing apartment complex where all there is are crimes happening every minute of the day or night. There is drug dealing and drug users everyday all day/light. I lost count of how many times we will walk in the building and the sec you open the door it’s either a drug action going on or people doing drugs and I have to tell my kids look down cover your nose and mouth and co to ur walking. There is people overdosing in the stairways as well as urine, feces, drug baggies, crack pipes, needles, you name it it’s there. The hallways have use pampers cigarettes buds drug wrappers and more. The elevator is is terrible terrible terrible shape where my kids and I got stuck in it a lot of times and it is breaking down every other day and I have to walk up The nasty steps feeling like I can’t breath and I live in the top floor. My apartment has a ton of mold that I’m continually putting bleach. We can not change locks or add locks to the door and my door is jacked up. There is a lot of robberies, shooting, murders, and stabbings going on ALL the time. I was walking into the building n was in the middle of a shoot out I had duck behind a car. Ooh and let me not forget to say it happened more then once and my kids was with me a couple times when it happened. The last time we was from the car to the building and shots rang out and the male that was walking away but pasted me ended up getting shot and died right there and then and I always say omg that could of been one of us. I have been robbed 2 times but never reported it because I have to live here at the end of the day and if reporting it brings a target to both me and my kids I will NOT do it even though we aren’t safe anyways. I don’t sleep I don’t eat I’m stressed out my kids are scared and has nightmares and even wet the bed a few times. I was hurt when the 4th of July came because every single fireworks they heard they was ducking and covering their heads and ears in a fetal position and that’s no way to live. I have tried to get transferred and I complained but they said if we move you from being in far of living here and you not feeling safe then that will open doors for me to move anyone else who feels the same way. Ooh and let me not forget to let you know that we DO NOT have working camera’s for any building any hallways any stairs or any elevators and last but not least we have no security. I want out so bad. I tried calling 211 for some kind of help, I have tried to calling and emailing places to try and see what can be done and how to go about getting this fixed but I’m still sitting her with NO ANSWERS. I want a normal life for my kids. I want to be able to be a mother keeping them safe and out of danger I want them to live a happy life smiling and enjoy life the way a kid should but I’m out of options and I need help! I hope I get good out of this. I will be distraught if not.
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Nova. I’m sorry to hear that you’re going through this, and I know you’re doing your best to give your children the best possible living environment. Most cities and counties have low-cost legal services available. You can call the state or local bar association in your county and ask for a referral to a pro bono lawyer or organization that can offer you guidance for finding housing that will be safer and healthier. Best wishes.
Brooke says
Hey!
So I moved into a one bedroom apartment as a night shift nurse and when I was touring the apartment complex, the neighbors door beside mine had a gun range target with bullet marks in it taped to his door. When I incurred with the leasing office the day I got my keys, they stated multiple residents complained and he was asked to take it down. The day after I moved, my neighbor was screaming profanity probably playing video games stating, “kill him MF” etc. I emailed management and they said he would be vacated in 14-21 days and to hang in there. I have emailed them weekly with updates of the continuing problem with recordings and calling the courtesy officer. It is now been 8 weeks since they told me he would be gone in 14-21 days. It was so bad two days ago, the manager called the police. They told me they could not evict him and were waiting until his lease ran out but that wouldn’t be for 6 more weeks. I am scared for my safety and can not stay at my apartment knowing he is violent. They have offered to move me into another apartment for the same price I’m paying on my lease. But my question is, I haven’t been able to stay there and I hired movers to move me in here, can I push to have my expenses for moving deducted from my August rent? Such as movers, changing electricity over, and compensation for not being able to stay in my apartment. Thanks!
EM says
Hi, someone from the apartment complex where I live threw their trash bag in front on my garage door. The property staff refuses to pick it up, it smells horrible and it represents a hazard to us and our neighbors plus it makes the apartments look ugly. Is there anything I can do to make them pick the trash up? Thank you.
Alex says
I slipped and fell in my bathtub in my apartment building because the tub would continuously fill with water. There is no stopper in the tub the apartment uses an outdated trap filter known as a drum trap. Leading up to and even after the fall I continuously filed maintenance requests to have the trap either replaced or updated. It never happened. My fall was so severe that I was unable to stand and any attempt to stand was met with severe pain. At one point it took approximately seven hours to crawl from my bedroom to my living room so that I could unlatch my deadbolt should I need to call for emergency assistance (the time was observed by the several digital alarm clocks I keep throughout my apartment with 5 minute differences between them). I eventually had to call for emergency assistance and had to be taken to the emergency room. I now cannot sleep laying down and if I do my body is racked with so much pain that I am effectively rendered immobile besides small movements from my extremities. I can only get sleep now by sitting upright in a chair which is heavily interrupted maybe 2-3 hours at a time before even that becomes painful. This has also caused my feet and legs to swell and if I’m using basic equipment like a vacuum cleaner the capillaries and blood vessels in my legs burst which I recently found out can permanently affect the coloration of my skin in those areas. In the doctors own words it would be like a tattoo. Even standing for long periods of time such as an 1 to 2 hours can be painful. Now my main question about all of this is the property makes all tenants get renters insurance up to 100k. Mine lapsed in the middle of July but the accident occurred at the end of June. I am going this Friday to get it back when I get paid. Do you think it’s too late or that I even have a chance to file a claim with a lawyer?
April may says
I was just involved in an incident where my landlord used his key to enter my apartment unannounced and very aggressively-he proceeded to quickly advance towards me, cursing me and yelling, when he got within reach he punched me in the mouth making my lip bleed and swell and knocked a tooth loose. I’m in a state of shock, trying to figure out what is going on, he is pushing me backwards still yelling and cursing me, until I reach the corner and I feel one of his hands on my neck…..my fiance was finally able to get him off of me and helped the landlord find the door as I was calling 911. He went out on our porch area and continued to yell and cuss and started to kick my potted plants and throwing my hanging plants off of our second story apartment porch-causing several dents in the roof of another tenants car. He finally left after we went inside the apartment and locked the door waiting for law enforcement as instructed by the 911 operator. I still do not know what triggered him to enter the apartment in the manner in which he did or to act in the way he did. I have a protective order in place which I just found out he is appealing from our general district court to the circuit court. We are definitely moving but unfortunately nothing lime that happens any where near as fast as I would like for it to unless we wanna be homeless until we get another place……the landlord has mis. Assault and battery charges and felony destruction of property charges pending with the commonwealth attorney……
WHAT CAN I DO TO MAKE SURE THIS MAN NEVER DOES THIS TO ANYONE EVER AGAIN???? He caused me physical pain and injury but more than anything, he scared me and I am on edge all the time, jumping at each tiny noise. My doctor has had to adjust and add medication for my depression now anxiety-severe anxiety. I’m starting counseling next week and am currently seeing a physical therapist for a diagnosed rotator cuff sprain. ……..
ARon says
so I rent from a landlord that has been a very hard things to deal with.
there are a few issues where i had there other clients harrass me an threaten to commit physical harm.
then the clients kept calling the landlords office to have the office lady then wrote me up at total of 4 times for things that never happened. as lease violations.
this goes deeper they force me to move with a threat of eviction if i don’t i get force from a one bed room to a studio which is way smaller. they then take my secruity depost from the other place. in between this there are issues at the new property the other tenats keep proping secruity doors open to the building a duplex which aloud some one i removed from my life a week prior to get in an come threw my back door and steal my car and total it. this is the second vheical loss in 2 months on there property the first was a moped an the other tenats took down there cameras an such just to make it so i didnt know who took it.
Now know im on edge as is for mental health issues but litterally the things i aquired to get back on my feet on a voucher like section 8 in a way.
i left a very clean apartment for one that mental i hate litterally makes me want to do things and feel things i wont post here.
in recent light thou i have a preiviious neighbor that would visit all the time an then turned into a go home. your here to much then flipped to a huge problem where he would play devils advocate i also moved so i didnt have to deal with that issue since it was 3 people vs one. it put a huge mental strain on me only to have the issue follow me over here this tenat is spreading slander saying i commit three feleonys against here took what i thought was a friend turned him on me has this indavudial harrass an threaten to kill me on a daily basis i have block them all on social media as a smart move to cut contact down how ever im so close to down town where this person is that im stuck dealing with him still there about 3 miles away.
I have asked the landlord to please deal with his other client he is relentlously harrassing me only to be told to call the police it isnt his problem.
Which in my oppion is neglagenice all the way around there effecting me to a point where im begging to be depressed an have a lack of interest in life i can game i can clean up thou i do force my self.
because if the theft of my property cause by his clients and harrassment. i litterally am at a wits end i want to shoot my self at times an thou i have a prexsisting illness massive depressive disorder. this is a situational thing that could be fixed if the landlord wasnt a slum lords
he moved me from one clean appartment to a dirty apartment there are stick an disgusting carpets that where not changed there is no hot water even leaving on as suggested its luke warm.
im on a top floor i hate it i have bad leg from a accident in 2014 i broke my pelivs an leg.
but sorry to run on an i know this a lot of information but i contact a laywer already and i believe this to be a huge lawsuit of neglagence
AH says
My downstairs neighbor harassed us emotionally for a year. I have a long paper trail of emails, videos, concerns regarding the issue and management has remained quite. Eventually the downstairs neighbor moved but they harassed us to the point where I wouldn’t feel safe leaving my apartment. I have PTSD from facing racism which was not even acknowledged by landlord. Now when someone new has Moved in, I am having a flashback and anxiety recalling the loud banging they would do on their ceiling our floor and from when they came knocking on my door. Not only am I mentally stressed, my elderly parents, currently pregnant wife and 15 month old child all have gone through tremendous emotional trauma. Management did nothing. I wish they had prevented our victimization and prevented my daughter of color being cursed at from Privileged white folks at different times of the day including the day they moved out. I still have videos from the encounter, the police reports are there, and so is my chain of emails asking, no begging for intervention and assistance to no avail.
freshy says
my friend moved into an apartment which is a split house. the house was used to cook bath tub meth. the landlord didnt renovated the apartment. can you take the landlord to court over meth contamination. Asking for a friend.
Ian Pisarcik says
The process of cooking methamphetamine can leave behind a highly toxic residue. In such cases, the landlord is responsible for having the apartment cleaned by a hazardous material company. What’s more, most states require that landlords inform tenants that the home was used as a “meth lab.”
I would recommend talking to an attorney in your area to find out what your state’s laws are and what actions you might want to take.
Melissa Gold says
Hello. I am very sorry for what you and your family have endured, and thank you for sharing your story. I’m not exactly sure what your question is, except perhaps how to move forward from this experience. It sounds like perhaps you would benefit from some mental health assistance from a counselor or therapist. Your landlord should have protected your family and prohibited another tenant from bothering you, but there’s likely not much you can do at this point if the bothersome tenant has moved out. I would definitely look into some counseling or assistance to ease your PTSD and the emotional issues of your family members. I hope that the situation is better and you’re able to live peacefully now that the problem neighbors have moved out. Best wishes.
Ian Pisarcik says
Landlord’s generally have a duty to maintain the common areas. This would include cleaning up a bag of trash, particularly if the trash is hazardous. I would write your landlord a letter explaining the situation and requesting that it be fixed. If the landlord refuses, you can most likely pay to have the trash removed and deduct the cost from your rent. However, you should check with a landlord-tenant attorney in your area before doing so to see if there are any specific laws in your jurisdiction or complex that might prevent you from taking this action.
JOHN says
I rent an apartment, the security lighting here Is not good at all. Its extremely dark when the tenants come in at night. We have one main security light that only works half the time. What is the landlord’s responsibility for providing a safe and secure well lit area.
Tim says
There is a maintenance man who lives in the apartment complex who continuously gets drunk and threatens other tenants. We have talked to the landlord and he shifts blame back to the tenants being threatened. The landlord refuses to address the issue and now it is progressing and someone is going to get hurt. Also the necessary repairs are not getting done and tenants are suffering in this Arizona heat without proper cooling. We are scared to speak out as repercussions might occurs.
Ian Pisarcik says
John,
Landlords have a legal responsibility to protect their tenants. State and local laws determine what specifically landlords must do, but in many cases this includes providing adequate security lighting or security cameras. I would recommend writing a letter to your landlord explaining that the security lights are inadequate and requesting that the issue be fixed. This, at the very least, will put the landlord on notice should something happen.
Genevieve Damron says
I fell at my apartment complex on slippery concrete at the base of the staircase I was coming down. There is a different type of concrete at this specific area that’s not like the rest of the complex. When it’s wet, it’s extremely slippery and I’ve had a couple of close calls but one day I finally fell, close to midnight. The lighting obviously wasn’t great so being able to see where to step safely is harder, if even possible. I stopped working out and took care of the massive gash in my right knee before going to a primary care doctor, then physical therapy, and now an orthopedist. I have a possible meniscus tear and grade 3 MCL sprain. Is my apartment complex responsible, even if I’ve never personally reached out about this concrete situaiton.
Ian Pisarcik says
Arizona has an anti-retaliation law (A.R.S. § 33-1324) that prohibits landlords from taking retaliatory actions after a tenant complains about safety issues.
I would recommend sending the landlord a certified letter explaining the situation and asking the landlord to fix the problem. If the landlord refuses to do so, consider meeting with a landlord-tenant attorney in your area to discuss your options.
Victoria says
I lived in this rental unit for 9 years in Maine, a year ago the place was sold to the new landlords. My life has been hell since then, the new tenant’s moved in downstairs. Those neighbors are inconsiderate, they have a revolving door of people coming and going at all hours, they do not take care of their garbage and above all they continue to violate their lease agreement by smoking daily. The pungent odor of pot and tobacco smoke continues to come through the air gaps to my apartment. The residual odor of smoke lingers in the air for hours and makes the air unbearable to inhale. The smell is making me sick, I am asthmatic, and in order to breath I have to open the all the windows. I want desperately for all this nonsense to stop!
I personally approached them 4 times about the smoke and they denied everything and anything. I’ve complained to my landlord multiple times-twice on the phone and twice through e-mails (the landlord took 6 weeks to get back to me) and they tell me they have addressed the Issue with the neighbors. The biggest problem is the young couple denies any wrong doings. And, the landlords really are not working too hard to make the neighbors follow their lease agreements. What can I do now? We are in the middle of the Coronavirus Pandemic, I can not find a nice first floor apartment. Moving is costly and difficult due to my physical limitation and my age. I would appreciate some advice? What are my alternatives?
The problem is that I make too much for free legal help and too little to hire a lawyer
I would appreciate your help
Victoria – The Distraught
Ian Pisarcik says
Your landlord may be responsible even if you never specifically reached out about the slippery concrete.
In general, your landlord is liable for a slipper floor if (1) the landlord caused the dangerous condition, or (2) the landlord knew or should have known about the dangerous condition.
In this case, it appears that one or both may be true. I would recommend taking some photographs of the concrete (before your landlord remedies the problem) and then meeting with an attorney in your area. Most initial consultations are free and the attorney will be able to tell you whether you have a good case or not. If the attorney takes on your case, they’ll be able to have a slip and fall expert look at the concrete to determine whether it’s unreasonably dangerous when wet. In addition, the attorney will likely talk to other people in your complex to see if anyone has fallen or had issues with the concrete.
Michelle says
My landlord knows my floors are uneven and that the beams and nails are starting to come they the floor and get worse and worse but they won’t fix it and say I have to move and pay a higher rent if I don’t want to deal with the floors like this can they do that? What can I do for me and my kids ?
Ian Pisarcik says
Generally speaking, a landlord has to repair dangerous conditions in an apartment complex. If, after receiving notice, the landlord refuses to fix the problem, the tenant has a few options. For example, the tenant can have the dangerous condition repaired and deduct the cost from their rent payment. I would recommend sending a letter to your landlord (certified with return receipt requested) explaining the issue and demanding that it be fixed. If the landlord refuses, you might consider meeting with a landlord-tenant attorney in your area to discuss your specific options.
CR says
I live on the second floor, the maintenance man left a dolly and five other piece of tools in front of my door and the stairs. 10pm, I went to take my dog out and almost fell down the stairs. I am injured. I left message with property management they have not called me back. I need medical attention. I did take a picture. Are they responsible because the maintenance left his stuff on Friday it’s still there. Someone moved it out of the way.
Melissa Gold says
Hi, CR. I am so sorry this happened. Please go get the medical attention you need. Yes, the management should be responsible for the costs of your medical treatment and other costs associated with your injury, provided you can prove that the maintenance staff was negligent in leaving the items by the stairs and that their having done so was the cause of your injury. It was a good move to take pictures, but you might want to gather other evidence, too (like if any of your neighbors were witnesses that the items were left there, if anyone saw you fall, or other things that might be important). If you need a personal injury lawyer, you can find one here: https://www.enjuris.com/directory/. Best of luck and I hope you recover quickly!
Ian Pisarcik says
Alex,
Tenant insurance usually covers things like fire damage and theft. This sort of insurance doesn’t impact the potential negligence claim against your landlord.
As for the merits of the claim, your landlord has a duty to fix any problems that affect your apartment’s habitability, and to maintain the premises to be safe and livable. Assuming you have provided notice about the tub issue to your landlord, your landlord has failed to maintain the premises and you can file a negligence lawsuit against the landlord to recover damages for your injuries.
I would recommend meeting with a personal injury or landlord-tenant attorney in your area. Most initial consultations are free and the attorney will be able to review your case more closely and tell you how to proceed.
Melissa Gold says
Hi, ARon.
I’m so sorry to hear you’re in a difficult living situation. It sounds like there’s a lot going on here. It sounds like you’re doing the right thing by contacting a lawyer. I hope that your lawyer is working with you and with your landlord to keep you safer in your home. If you ever feel that you’re in immediate danger from any other person in your apartment building (or anywhere), please don’t hesitate to call law enforcement if you need to. Stay well and I hope the condition will improve quickly.
Melissa Gold says
Hi April,
Thank you for sharing your story. I’m so sorry this happened to you and I hope you’re doing okay. It’s good that you have a protective order, that your doctor is on top of your condition, and that you have plans to move. Never hesitate to call 911 if you’re being threatened or in an emergency. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to prevent this from happening to someone else, but reporting him to law enforcement is a good first step because they can. Thank you for being so kind as to be concerned for the well-being of others. Please do continue to communicate with your doctor about your mental health and with law enforcement if you face any more danger from this person. Best of luck finding a new home quickly. Stay well!
Jameelah says
Hello
I stay on the second floor of my building. I was on the balcony repointing my plants and I get up to walk in the house and my whole left leg go straight through my wooden balcony causing me to fall and hurt my back and hip and get 8 stitches on my arm. It turns out that my balcony have a weak spot. The apartment complex agreed to pay for my doctor bill but that’s it. I no longer feel safe on my balcony. Do you think I should see a lawyer about the incident?
JW says
I live in an apt community that touts itself as “luxury living”. HA. This place is so horrible. From day two of moving in I had my next door neighbor “treat me” to live concerts at least 6 days a week. It could be 7am, it could be 530pm, it could be 8pm, sometimes it was all three. There were nights where it went well past midnight, and there were occasions where it was 2am and then the worst – 5am. I reported this repeatedly. The horrible neighbor actually had their sound equipment against the shared paper thin wall instead of the wall where the cable comes in, the opposite wall which is not a shared wall. Sometimes you could even hear the music from across the parking lot even with her windows fully closed. It was horrendous. I complained about it repeatedly. They told me they “sent a note” and did NOTHING else. They told me to call the police if it was after office hours, and they told me the community “quiet hours” were from 10pm-7am and anything not in those hours couldn’t have anything done about it. However, I pointed out repeatedly that the lease referenced “quiet hours” nowhere, not at all, not once. I referenced repeatedly the clause of the lease addressing noise, obnoxious noise, and not violating the peace and quiet and reasonable use of our own homes. Nothing. I even did what they said a couple times about calling the police, who told me it’s the office staff’s JOB to take care of these matters.
After 7 weeks a new girl replaced one of the existing (horrible) employees, and as a new employee, she was actually eager to help. She finally sent an official “lease violation” but sadly that’s where that ended. The neighbor did quiet down some, but started purposefully doing what she could to bother me more and more. Start the music low and slowly but surely raise it and raise it and raise it. Oh my gosh, she is so horrible. So this taught me that A-you have to constantly be on the staff for several weeks on end before they’ll do anything about your issue, B-that they lie to get the job off their lap and put it in someone else’s, and C-that you’re completely on your own. My stress level of having to deal with this horrendous neighbor and babysit the office staff was truly the most stress I can remember having. But of course, it didn’t stop there, because as I’ve learned, this place is absolute garbage through and through.
I only had a 6 month lease, but Covid hit in like my second month there. So every amenity was closed. And they used covid as an excuse for them to rarely be in the office (their offices are all well over 6ft apart mind you. They used covid as the reason that maintenance couldn’t perform darn near any job, including replacing the sweep at the bottom of my door. Hilariously, they said they wouldn’t fix it because it wasn’t an emergency and they won’t do any other repairs, even if they barely have to be in my apartment, but then a few weeks later they force us to allow some random painters into our home to paint our doors. They had to enter my apartment the same distance any of the maintenance workers would’ve had to enter to quickly change out the door sweep. So I guess they care about the well-being of the maintenance workers, but not the painters, and not the tenants, based on their own logic.
Then it’s the first few days of May. Most tenants are spending more time at home, which (hooray) means more concert music from my neighbor. So I’m already on edge on a daily basis and stressed to high heaven. Then my upstairs neighbor begins throwing weekly parties. I tolerate them because although they’re insanely loud and chaotic and have constant running, jumping, screaming, hollering, and body-slamming children, at LEAST they usually stop by 9pm. I still bring it up to office staff, knowing full well they’ll just ignore me anyway, which they did. Then after several of these parties, they have one where the body-slamming noise, which scares the hell out of you anytime you start relaxing, goes on and on. 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm, 10pm. At a little after 10, I hear some people leaving and everyone yelling goodbye. But the noise doesn’t stop because there’s at least one child left slamming the crap out of that place and either throwing themselves onto the floor repeatedly or being thrown on the floor repeatedly. It sounded so loud and jolting, you thought they’d fall through the ceiling. This went on past 11pm, and then I’d FINALLY had enough. I’d tolerated 7 hours of this garbage, and I KNEW if I said something to office staff they wouldn’t do anything, and I also KNEW this weekly partying was a regular habit. Did I mention this was a Tuesday evening? Yeah, ’cause they are that kind of neighbor.
So knowing I’m completely on my own to handle everything now, I get my plastic swiffer sweeper and bump the ceiling 5-6 times to alert them, HEY it’s loud down here, HEY it’s after 11pm, etc. So the girl that lives there comes stomping down the stairs, bashing on my door, and yelling. She’s got another girl with her AND a 2 year old child. She proceeds to demand that I open the door, to which I simply respond, “no.” And like anyone that hates the word no, she then starts screaming, and the second girl joins in, both at the top of their lungs, screaming at me. They’re screaming that I better open the door, they scream “what’re you worried about, I have a 2 year old kid with me, it’s not dangerous!” Then since I’m clearly not opening the door to these lunatics for both obvious reasons of their behavior but also, HELLO, covid, the girl that actually lives upstairs starts screaming repeatedly, “Get your ass out here, I’m gonna beat your ass!” “You better watch out, I’m gonna beat your ass!” And so it went for several minutes. over and over and over. I remained silent during this time, and they eventually wore themselves out and stomped back upstairs, and then proceeded, like the adults they clearly aren’t, to literally stomp and jump and pound on the floor. They continued this behavior until the police showed up, whom I had promptly called as soon as they went back upstairs. The officer was very nice, of course they lied to him about threatening me with physical violence, but they admitted to having had a party with lots of people, and then they tried to downplay the noise issue. Needless to say the officer left and they were quiet the rest of the night.
After I spoke with the officer, I also called the office and left them a message, as well as reporting what happened on the online tenant portal. So the next morning, a Wednesday and a work day for the office, I hadn’t heard anything from them by around 11am so I called to follow up. Mind you I couldn’t sleep that whole night, and I barricaded my door, because the officer agreed that I needed to take the threats seriously. I call the office and get the typical, “Aww gee whiz I haven’t heard the messages yet. Aww gee whiz I haven’t looked at the tenant portal yet.” Mind you this is hours into the workday, but this is completely typical of the horrible office staff. At this point I’ve dealt with this girl so many times and been blatantly lied to so many times, that I just tell her I want to speak to the manager, have him call me ASAP. He calls, and from the start he acts like he doesn’t believe what I tell him happened. No joke, he first says maybe they were “just” drunk, maybe they were “just” having a bad day, and so on. Then he says that they CANNOT do absolutely anything without a police report, but that he will talk to his manager to see what they want to do about it. I call the officer, who goes out of his way to stop by the office and speak directly with the manager, who confirms he will do NOTHING without a police report, and then the officer kindly writes up the report and sends it to me, and I forward it to the manager. The manager calls me back with what he believes are three “great options” for me. 1-I can, at my own complete expense, move out. At the beginning of covid, when I’m not working and he knows this. I’d have to come up with enough money after 3 months into my 6 month lease to pay movers, to put a deposit on a new place, and pay all the fees I’d just 3 months prior had to pay at this place. Oh and – I WASN”T WORKING. Option 2- I can, again at my own complete expense, move to another apartment. Option 3- I can sit down for an in-person meeting with the psycho tenant and the police officer. This was laughable… I had not opened my door to her and we’d never been face to face, so I wasn’t about to put a target on my back letting her know what I look like. He says, and I quote, “If things were normal then we’d just use the police report and start eviction processes with her, but because the courts are closed from Covid and we don’t know if and when they’ll reopen, we can’t do that.” He told me this three separate times in fact.
For the record – the police report said she “downplayed the noise issue”, AND it said that when he told her she’s not allowed to make threats to people her “immediate response” according to him was, “Well then she shouldn’t have banged her ceiling.” That’s funny, I thought she hadn’t threatened me, yet here she was clearly admitting she did AND excusing it completely away.
I asked the manager to tell me what potential apartments were open and what buildings they were in, he promises to do so, and then I hear NOTHING from him for a week. This clearly shows how much he cares about tenants, about safety, and about doing his job. Even at that point, I had to call and follow up with him. He then emails instead of calling, about a paragraph… I can see why that took him a whole week to do. While I’m stressed to the hilt, suffering severe anxiety, am terrified to leave my apartment, and am waiting on pins and needles for answers. During this waiting period I find out that POOF the courts ARE open, and they ARE open for non-covid related evictions. He gets ripping pissed when I tell him this, yelling, “I don’t need to be schooled!!!” Wow.
He also refuses repeatedly to let me be in touch with his manager.
When he finally tells me the apartments available, he doesn’t bother telling me the building numbers, but he does mention that they will expect me to PAY MORE RENT as well.
When I’m not thrilled and happy-go-lucky with his options, I demand to speak with his supervisor, and I say he needs to follow the lease, he tells me that I DESERVED what happened to me. I was incredulous and shocked at this and said, “Excuse me, what did you just say?” At which point I figure he’ll realize what a stupid idea that was to say and back away, but no. He actually starts berating me: “You obviously deserved it, you had to deserve it, what did you do to deserve it? Come on, be honest, what did you do to deserve what they did??” And so it went.
At one point I did finally get in touch with the district manager and she was like, “well gee, I had NO idea you wanted to speak with me.” But she blatantly flat out refused to evict the other tenant despite what she did, and subsequently I demanded to know then what were they actually doing to her, and what was she doing to her employee, the horrible man who berated me and told me over and again how I “DESERVED it”. She never responded, which I know means they did absolutely NOTHING to anyone. Here it is months later and that jerk is still running this place. I’m also steeling myself because I have no doubt they’ll try to make me pay fees or whatever despite both he and the district manager saying I could “feel free” to leave without any penalties due to the situation.
Since that time I’ve had an extreme amount of anxiety and stress, I’ve had so many anxiety attacks, I’ve had to be on anxiety medication just to sleep. I barricade my door every day when I get home, and I literally sneak in and out of my apartment because I don’t want anyone to know I’m gone and potentially make good on their threat or do something to my apartment or my pets. I’m scared every single day, hanging on by a thread. I’ve had no moments of actual peace, obviously never any quiet, and have been treated so truly horribly that I hesitate to call these people human beings. Their treatment has been reprehensible, they’ve over and over broken the lease by flat out refusing to enforce it with other neighbors, and that’s beyond being berated and accused and treated like garbage.
This place I live in could have been decent, but thanks to these people, it’s a pit, and I’m under 24/7 anxiety and stress thanks to them. I can’t believe there is no oversight, no accountability, and these horrible people can treat tenants like trash. The district manager even told me in two separate emails that she MIGHT think about doing something to that neighbor who broke the law and threatened me IF I had MORE police reports to give her. WTH?!?!?! So they’ll be perfectly fine if she DOES beat my ass or do worse. I hate this place and these people, they don’t deserve their jobs, they don’t deserve their salaries, and should be forced to live the situations that tenants like me have to live.
Chadwick martinez says
I live at a house that has 2 apartment in the back and the stairs are old flimsy and just literally falling apart ,if i was to take a fridge down to move i fear ima bust mybass and my k other n law already fell, what can I do and he also kicking us out making freestyle eviction letters and contracts what can I do?
Ian Pisarcik says
Your landlord has a legal duty to maintain common areas, such as apartment stairs. I would recommend sending your landlord a written letter (certified with return receipt requested) explaining the issue and demanding that the repairs be made. If your landlord doesn’t make the repairs in a reasonable amount of time, you have the right to have the stairs repaired and deduct the cost from your rent.
You have certain rights with respect to eviction, but they depend on the terms of your lease. I would recommend meeting with a landlord-tenant attorney to discuss your rights. If you can’t afford an attorney, I would consider reaching out to your local legal aid office or calling your state bar association and asking for a referral to a free or reduced-cost attorney.
Ian Pisarcik says
Jameelah,
Most initial consultations with attorneys are free. For that reason, it’s never a bad idea to meet with an attorney to see if you should pursue additional damages. In a case like this, you want to be careful about signing any sort of settlement agreement or release if there may be future damages as a result of the accident.
Neil Armstrong says
Hi. I live in San Diego., California. I have told my landlords about a light out over the parking lot. I believe it’s a Mercury light. It’s been out for 3 months. I left a message and emailed them. Still not fixed.. I have been here for 6 years. I don’t know what more to do.
Ian Pisarcik says
Thank you for the question.
In California, if a landlord doesn’t fix the problem in a reasonable amount of time (generally within 30 days) you can “repair and deduct.” In other words, you can pay someone to fix the light and then deduct the cost of the repairs from your next rent payment.
Edward R says
Question; my down stairs neighbor always has parties and her guest are always leaning on my car leaving dents and scratches on my car. What can I do? Cause I constantly smell weed coming from her apartment, I call the cops constantly I even have video from them leaning on my car. I have had outdoor cameras for this reason
Starr J. says
Hi,
I live in a quadruplex on a main thoroufare in Philadelphia, PA. We moved in July 2019 on a two-year lease, which we signed to avoid a rent hike in the second year. However, since we’ve lived here, there has been countless incidents right outside our bedroom window: people arguing/screaming/cursing at all hours of the night, dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles frequently circling the blocks, fireworks all times of the year, gunshots followed by sirens and then police lights that flash for hours afterwards. We do not feel safe here AT ALL, nor have we consistently been able to experience anything resembling “quiet enjoyment.” It’s literally ALWAYS something. As I’m typing this, police lights are flashing outside my window due to what seems to have been a shooting in the park across the street. We really want to leave. Even though the disturbances aren’t being caused by our landlord or other tenants, is it possible that we could legally get out of our lease?
Tim says
Within 2 months after moving into an apartment, we started being sick (dizziness, sneezing, not feeling good), our pets started coughing, gasping for breath. We had a black fungus growing under the vinyl flooring. We called & emailed office more than we should have & received no response at all (prior to coronavirus). One elderly pet had to be put to sleep! We hired an outside party to do an inspection. We were right the entire time. There’s been for a long time broken plumbing underneath flooring which caused very, very high humidity & black fungus we all were breathing. Should we contact the actual owners (it’s a large company) or the company that runs this apartment complex? We want a party to know what’s happened to us & to our beloved pet.
Ian Pisarcik says
Tim,
Landlords have a duty to maintain the premises and keep tenants reasonably safe. If your landlord was told that toxic mold was present in your apartment and failed to do anything about it, your landlord may be liable for any resulting injuries (including the cost of putting your dog to sleep).
As a practical matter, any lawsuit filed would generally include both the owner of the complex and the landlord. In most cases, the owner of the complex will be vicariously liable for the actions (or omissions) of the landlord.
I would recommend meeting with a personal injury attorney in your area to discuss your options. Most initial consultations are free. Be sure to bring any correspondence with the landlord and any medical bills when you meet with the attorney.
Ian Pisarcik says
Edward,
Landlords have a legal duty to take reasonable measures to keep tenants (and their property safe). I would recommend writing your landlord a letter (send it certified mail with return receipt requested so you have proof of receipt) explaining that people who do not live in the apartment are hanging around outside and damaging your vehicle. In the letter, I would ask the landlord to take some reasonable steps to prevent this from happening (such as installing lights or security cameras). Additionally, I would continue to call the police when warranted.
Betty Boop says
I am being stalked, harrassed & threatened by my landlord. He purchased this house to flip and make money but ran into problems. House was empty for almost 3 year with unfinished renovations. We made an agreement that I would finish the work & live on premises as security in exchange for free rent, utilities & a small salary. He had me work on multiple projects, fell behind in payments on all then told me to get out during the no travel & quarantine at home orders. which was not possible. He owes me close to $6k. Now he’s doing crazy stuff like tampering with my mail, stopping delivery, making false police reports, serving me with several 5 day notice forcible detainer actions, now he has filed a restraining order claiming I assaulted him (never happened). My security cameras keep catching him on premises when I’m not home taking pictures of my property in the front & back yard, taking pictures thru the windows and taking pictures of my license plates. He tries to open my car doors and the doors to the house ect. What can I do?
Christopher S. says
I live in HUD apartments and I have sole custody of my two children 3 and 6. My 3yo is special needs and sometimes cries a lot or hits himself or things. He also doesn’t listen when i tell him to stop running. He tries, but its like someone else is at the wheel. This causes noise (only during the day..never during quiet time, which is 10pm-7am) my upstairs neighbor has been verbally abusing them, cussing at them, yelling through the floor to lock him in the closet. I have a camera and captured unprovoked clips of me being outside and him on camera cussing me out and stomping while im not in there. Now because he is at warning 2 of 3, and im at technically 0, the manager (landlord for hud) said “I know whats going to happen now, he will retaliate again and then you both will be kicked out.” I asked why me? She said that its his word over mine and he said im basically doing everything to him that he is doing to me. Its 100% lie and he has no proof. I provided video already… my friend told me that my landlord is oustering me and its illegal. Its just im low income and have had multiple brain surgeries and sometimes in the heat of the moment cannot articulate my defense for anything and have been known to get walked over.
Any advice?
Maybe this is relative information, but I dont drink or anything but my upstairs neighbor does every night until he is crawling up the steps. Every night. He gets mad because my kids are awake during the day (his bedtime..but we all signed a lease agreement saying we acknowledge that as the livable loud time) as a punishment he stomps and cusses to get back at us as a whole. I even have him on video saying stuff like “wait until tonight” over and over like a mantra..pumping himself up. All we are trying to do is live life. I literally tiptoe..but my kids don’t and they can get loud, ill admit. But are they not entitled to live life according to the guidelines of the lease?
Any advice on this would be very appreciated!
Thanks,
Chris S.
dan says
My car was totaled when someone cut open the convertible top.
Last night a bullet struck my new car and another came through the front door.
My couch is on the other side of that front door and now im afraid to be in that room at night.
I have requested security cameras on multiple occasions and the police recommend a bullet resistant front door.
They have also recommended that i use rent escrow if they do not address my safety concerns.
Am i within my rights to do so? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Jessica wilson says
Yes I am contacting you on behalf of my cousin and the rental property he is currently renting from my Aunt. Karen Coffey of Pulaski County, Va …she is refusing to allow tenants to obtain running water she has refused to fix the problems with the house and as tried illegally kicking them out …my cousin has recients of payment of rent and know mrs coffey is refusing to accept rent payments haa turned water source off to the house when it is still being lived in…The house originally belonged to my grandfather Richard L. Davis of Pulaski who has passed on. The house was deeded to my mother Teresa Lynn Fagg of Pulaski Ricky Davis(uncle) brother of my mother and my aunt. Karen Coffey of Pulaski. I have offered to help to fixing the house but she has refused the help. I need to know if there is anyway I could obtain emergency owner ship of the property so I may fix the house up and help my cousin keep a roof over his head.
Ian Pisarcik says
If your aunt is serving as landlord by renting the property to your cousin, your aunt has certain legal obligations. Namely, your aunt must provide a safe and habitable rental unit. Failing to turn on the water (or fix the water issue) is a breach of your aunt’s legal obligations. Your cousin’s options are to (1) end their lease, (2) sue your aunt, or (3) pay to have the water turned on and deduct the cost from their rent.
Ian Pisarcik says
In most states, if your landlord refuses to address a dangerous condition after you provided written notice and a reasonable amount of time to do so, you can fix the issue yourself and deduct the amount from your rent. In these situations, it’s a good idea to put the rent money is escrow while the amount is under dispute.
Taj says
If she is a protected class meaning receiving disability etc. she may be able to keep her screen door please check into it for her. Hope this helps
Mia says
I lived in a town house in Arkansas that had the 2 flight split style stairs. They never put hand rails on them. I fell twice. Once knocked me out and the other time broke a bone in my foot. I moved out a year ago. Is it too late to do anything. Oh all the other units had rails. Mia
Ian Pisarcik says
In Arkansas, you have 3 years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Negligence lawsuits based on faulty or missing handrails are pretty common. I would recommend discussing your case with a local personal injury attorney. Most initial consultations are free and the attorney will be able to give you a good idea of the strength of your case.
Dashel Williamson says
It is known that my property manager is looking taking cash to rent to felons and drug dealers. I had an incident of a tenant demanding money from me. If I am injuredcan I sue?
Ian Pisarcik says
Landlords are legally required to keep the residence in a habitable condition, complying with all building and housing codes that materially affect health and safety. Just like a landlord may be liable for failing to repair a broken fixture (such as a heater), a landlord may be held liable for failing to evict a tenant who possesses or uses illegal drugs on the premises.
For the duty to kick in, the landlord must know that a tenant is using drugs on the premises. I would recommend sending your landlord a written notice (certified mail with return receipt requested) explaining the situation. That way, if you’re injured, your landlord can’t claim that he didn’t know about the illegal activity.
Suzy says
Manager only knocked once and I was in restroom of my apartment with door half open, she then just let 2 men from fire alarm co. right on in since I did not speed to the door and she was impatient. The men saw me on the toilet trying to get up and they were horrified as well. Manager was like “Well, I knocked”. I told her no reasonable person could respond in the 30 sec she gave me.
I am on record with the complex as being a disabled vet with mobility and hearing issues.
Gilmore says
I own a small 3 bedroom house in Arizona. I have 2 tenants that each have a bedroom. Unfortunately, I do not have written leases with these people. I pay all utilities. In March of 2020 the Governor of Arizona made an executive order that banned evictions due to Covid-19 without any oversight. Of course, both of these tenants claimed the Covid-19 defense and quit paying rent. Now we have the CDC order that bans evictions. I went to court and have eviction orders for these tenants but they cannot be served. My question is can I restrict access/use of the refrigerator, stove, and microwave? Additionally, the state and the CDC state that the renter must provide the landlord with proof of specific information in regards to their Covid-19 situation. These tenants have not provided anything. The situation at home is very tense.
GA Peach says
Hi, I am reaching out for advise. My husband was working for whom we thought was a great person. He ended up buying a house and renting it to us. A year and a half of living in said home my 8 yr old daughter’s bedroom ceiling collapsed on her at 5:30 am. (House had plaster walls and ceilings.) We were all sleeping. There was a loud crashing noise and the blood curdling scream. We brought here to the ER where they did x-rays. Dr said everything looked ok in x-rays. We did a follow up visit with regular pediatrician. Every thing seemed to be ok. Boss/landlord had workers ( including my husband ) start repairs for ceiling same day. Fast forward one year. Boss starts being verbally abusive to my husband and cusses him in front of multiple people. Husband ended up quiting for the way boss talked to him. (Also in this time frame we are back at Dr with daughter whom says back is still hurting from ceiling falling on her.) One week after husband quit ex-boss/ current landlord send termination of lease letter via certified mail that said we had till October 11th to vacate and expected all bills to be current until then. Now receiving harassment emails. Please help us.
Disgusted says
I have been dealing with our apartment unit neighbors smoking marijuana on a regular basis for 11 months now. I have contacted the police on two occasions for nuisance of when they were partying with a number of people smoking, drinking and playing loud music. I have told the landlord via email on several occasions about their smoking marijuana and how it causes headaches and dizziness to me and my 3 children. The landlord says he will contact them about it. Still nothing has stopped. It continues and they continue to smoke marijuana. I have purchased an expensive air purifier, essential oils, air cleaners and opened windows to try to alleviate the marijuana smoke to no avail. I am literally exhausted and disgusted with the neighbors doing this. My older son of 25 years old has gone over and confronted them about not smoking it. The neighbors said sorry and would stop. That was 3 weeks ago now and they continue to smoke. I cannot take this anymore and recently sent an email telling the landlord to move them or pay for us to move. What can we do? Can we get out of our lease? I am at wit’s end. Can we file a lawsuit? Please help!!!!
roscoe coleman says
I started off living with my ex-in-laws. i moved in to their house with them and paying rent for maybe 5 months till my SSi was approved . at that time i was planning on moving the owner of the property kept pushing me to stay and buy a shed from home depot and put in in his back yard and live in as long as want. i am disabled and need a service dog with me at all times, i went ahead and bought one. made owner sign a contract stating what he had told me i could live there as long as i want and he claims no ownership of shed or anything within ir.. 6 months later thing started missing after that parts off my car started missing, then the owners son who lives in front house with his mom and dad kicked my service dog so bad he had to have metal plates put in his leg, once i found out the landlord and his family were doing the stealing. i started getting threatened of what was going to happen to me if i did’t move.,. i need a lawyer
Ian Pisarcik says
Roscoe,
I’m sorry this is happening to you. It sounds like the owner is attempting to intimidate you into dissolving the contract. It also sounds like the owner is engaging in criminal activity.
You can find a California personal injury attorney in our free online directory. If you’re unable to afford an attorney, you can reach out to your local legal aid organization or the California State Bar to inquire about the availability of a free or reduced-cost attorney.
Additionally, you should consider filing a police report with respect to the criminal activity.
Nathan says
Last month 150 rounds were fired on our apartment complex. A bullet went through our unit, but neither myself nor my roommate were harmed. We still have about 6 months left on our lease, but were wondering if anyone is aware of what our rights might be in regards to breaking it early. Would we be responsible for paying the rest of the lease? We live in Portland, OR.
Shaun says
I live in Arkansas. And my apartment complex does not have cameras or any security. My vehicle had been broken into 3 times. As with so many other tenants in the complex. The apartment complex refuses to do anything. The other night I caught them in my vehicle as I walked to it. They knocked the glass out.
Angela says
I am a disabled person with numerous medical conditions including R A, Diabetes and Vertigo, The tenant who lives across the Breezeway from my Apartments has 4 children who keep parking their Bikes and scooters in front of my door, On one occasion I had a dizzy spell and in trying to prevent myself from falling I stumbled on to one of the bikes that was falling backwards. It was parked about 3 feet from my doorway and I got scratched on my right foot. On coming back from running an errand, I took pictures of the bikes where they were blocking my door way and sent it with a complaint to the Manager. To date, nothing has been done! What recourse do I have? As injury a diabetic to my foot could result in amputation.
Shane K. says
Hello,
I live in a 3rd floor apartment (only 2 stories up b/c the 1st floor is sub-ground). Upon moving in I began to notice indications that there had been some previous instance(s) where water damage may have occurred- & in which I addressed management
08-04-2020
Approximately one week ago, I spoke to management about some concerns I had with my apartment in regards to apparent water damage prior to my tenancy.*
* I noticed that my ceiling slanted considerably which brought my attentions to the seams of the sheetrock there that were showing signs of discoloration, along with some areas with warping/wrinkling as well as holes where the heads of the nails used to hang it were no longer flush but actually exposed and protruding downwards out of it. I included this information on my security deposit “checklist” to note any thing that was already there so as not to be held against me whenever I should move out (I should also note that the shower faucet has had a steady drip- and for at least as long as it takes to create a rust ring nearly eaten through around the drain in the tub which, I suspect, could be a significant & continued contributing factor to the structural weakening if any moistenining of the wood below is currently happening).
I inquired about the things I was aware of then, at which point they disclosed to me that a recent roof repair of some sort took place on the apartment I share walls with next to me, but they were not aware of any issues occurring from the leak into mine. I wasn’t concerned as they showed no reason to think that it was severe enough to warrant any further thought into the matter- though it did pique my curiosity so I was more detailed whenever I happened to notice any other things. The following day, I took note of several ‘dips’ and low spots in my floor- (kitchen, hall, first closet and bathroom area). The most prominent one is such that it makes my bathroom slope (which I would come to find out that mgmt was already aware of) but it occupies an area where the apartment ‘opens up (consisting of the latter part of the ‘2nd’ hall- which shares the wall of the bathroom- and then nearly the whole vanity area abutting my ‘bedroom’, in an oval. Here, I started to notice faint ‘water ring’ stains in the carpet- but these were not limited to just that area- I could follow the stain silhouette pattern and it could be found from directly in front of the ac unit, side/front of my bed, the couch, recliner, dining room table and along the entire hallway, beyond the door and out onto the landing- where it can be outlined as two streams in front of the doors of both apartments across from me and the one next to me, into a large puddle where it pooled (I have taken pictures of every area listed). Concerned and now aggravated, I waited for the following day to speak directly with mgmt.- as the office hours are limited to MWF. When I spoke to them on this occasion, I expressed my displeasure and it was ONLY disclosed to me at this point- that the previous tenant had flooded the place b/c he left the toilet running after being ill and falling asleep; but ‘rest assured there’s nothing to worry about and it was taken care of” [(also it should be noted that there was a roof collapse in 1996 which may or may not stil be of some consequence, idk)] Fast-forward one week and the low spot is increasing in size outward in an oval-shape, pops/clicks can be heard in the walls sporadically but w/ an ever increasing frequency, ‘wave-like rolling’ movement can be felt from virtually any place in the apartment, tilting of furniture (bed/nightstands/coffee table/dining table/and entire kitchen) can be seen at various points during this process at first, but consistently so now. Floor had begun a quiet creaking in two spots initially, but has now reached any point near/in the oval. Joists felt firm merely a week ago, now A CLEAR ‘bellying’ can be noticed in my apartment and a ‘strained vibration shimmy-ing’ is present and can be felt in varying degrees of intensity at most any point in time.
It has now gotten to the point that the landing for the stairs of my apartment and the 3 other units up here have begun cracking (they are concrete covered by carpet on top but stucco on the underside). You can hear them cracking more and more everyone you use the stairs and they have begun to noticeably pull ‘away from where they attach to the framing and structural support of the apartments. the weight is saddling the interior walls of the building to where it can now be seen that cracking/warping/bulging and buckling is taking place. When I attempted to bring these concerns to their attention they were incredibly dismissive as if I were mentally unstable. I have photo and video documentation of the deteriorating process underway… what do I do?
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Shane. I’m sorry this is happening to you. It sounds as though you deserve far more attention and consideration from your landlord. You’re right to not want to wait until an accident happens… it seems like those stairs you mention are a serious hazard. I’m glad to hear that you’ve been documenting the conditions with photos and videos. However, it does seem as though the landlord is ignoring your concerns and that it can lead to a dangerous situation. It’s crucial that you express your concerns to your landlord or property manager in writing. This puts them on notice that there’s a situation that needs attention and fixing. They can always deny a conversation, but when you send them notice in writing (and keep a copy for yourself), that proves they were told what’s happening.
You also should seek the help of a landlord/tenant attorney. Often, the state bar association will have listings for lawyers in the area who can help, and there are also lawyers who provide services at low- or no cost under certain circumstances. I encourage you to seek a lawyer who can help before an accident happens and someone becomes injured. Best of luck!
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Gilmore. I don’t need to tell you that Covid-19 has complicated almost every aspect of life for most people, sadly. While this doesn’t help you in the moment, you really should have written leases with your tenants. It protects both their and your interests, and if you ever do get into a situation where you need legal intervention, a written document is often the only way to prove that a contract exists or has been breached. In this situation, the “regular” laws might be a little different because of special orders related to Covid. If restricting access to the appliances would leave the home uninhabitable, I suspect that it’s not permissible under the circumstances. However, I would advise you to consult with a lawyer who’s familiar with both your local landlord/tenant laws and covid special orders in order to know for sure. Your state bar association might be able to refer you to a lawyer with this information.
Nikki ky says
Hi I’m in New York: I live in a house I rent and the roof is literally caving in, there’s like 5 inches of moss, it’s rotting the soffits are falling down. Anyway, I’ve told my landlord for awhile about the roof and he’s had people give him estimates, but nothings been done (he’s legit the cheapest human being alive). My ceilings are starting to buckle and I’m scared for mysel, daughter and companion animals. Is he libel if something happens? I don’t have money right now to move, if I did I would because it’s not safe. I’d love any feedback thanks. Also, the windows are rotting and there’s termites eating through the wood outside, I see the damage and he just raised my rent $100 a month.
Toakase says
I was having parking issues with tenants blocking the driveway I’ve contacted the manager numerous of times they said they were going to put no parking signs up they still haven’t did what they said they was going to do a few weeks ago I was heading out and there was a tenant blocking the driveway so I told my son to ask them to move there car she said ok so my son came back in the car and told me that they were going to move there car i waited for a while so I went knocking at there door and the tenant came to the door and whenever I’m available I’ll move it smh so the tenant niece walk up to me and said yeah you heard her whenever she’s available so the tenant pushed me and ran behind her niece and then i called the manager and told her what happened she didn’t do nothing. Can I sue the landlord? I have emails and text messages with everything that’s been going on
Toakase says
I literally have to argue with this tenant
Chuck Penner says
Hey,
I have been leasing a room in a 6 bedroom town house in an off-campus housing complex at Oswego State University in upstate New York for the past year and a half. I was only at my room once on the first day my lease started since I had decided to stay home to better focus on my work and I had to move my stuff form my other apprtment that day,. I have come to realiuze that being home has not affected my ability to study as I cannot concentrate so well at home either. I decided to return to school but then I started paying attention the snapchat posts from friends of mine who live there. I saw a picture of 20+ people all sitting together on the couch iby a firepit open to all residents in front of the club house. They were shoudler to shoudler without masks.. this was on top of seing other posts of parties with 15-20 people inside houses although this didnt concern me as much becsuase it was not in a public space and I recognized many as residents. In the case of the firepit, many people there were not residents. At the same time, My friend who hosted these parties psoted a picture of an email from the provost of our school saying she may have been exposed due to a classmate falling ill. She deleted the post soon after,prsumably because it would make people want to avoid her., My friends who were there knew that I have a disorder called Chronic Idiopathic Uticaria which is most likely (according to my doctors) caused by an autoimmune disorder. I snapchat messaged my friend who had been hosting these parties asking her if she could tell her friends to wear masks and she said no. We are no longer friends as I felt that she was not caring of myb health.. I called the residence and a student whow orks there answered the phone and when i told him he said they can send an email, I said that wouldn’t be enough and he said he’d leave a noe for his manager. The next day i called and told them thast they could be breaking the law and he texted his manager (so he says) and I still got no call. Today i called and was put through to the manager immediatly whom I told about the situation and sounde dpretty annoyed at me. She said that she would check the cameras and that there would be fines handed out. My issue as that now one of the people who went to that aprty has had a fever and likely has COVID and could be spreading it more. I don’t think that the residence management s doing enough as we are in extremly confined environment where covid cases are on the rise again. The claim to be looking at the cameras but will they keep looking at them? I guess if they don’t my case is stronger. I think that they need to make more threats of fines and look over older footage to see if there are more violations. I forogt to mention that the manager told me if I don’t feel safe then I should stay home. I mean decent advice for me but not something a maager or basically acting landlord should say. What if I didn’t have a second home? I pay $850 a month to live there and it doesn’t seem like it;s fair that they are not doing everything they can. I’m considering of doing a constructive eviction as my lawyer brother has urged me to consider. I’m headed from Long Island to Ithaca on Sunday then Oswego Tuesday where i will only stay fior the day to visit my friends i haven’t seen since February and to bring back some of my things. My brother told me I should find evidence of the staff mishandling Covid regulations or other violations by tenants. I also plan on inspecting the gym to see if the equipment is cleaned. They disallwoed me from bringing my own barbell so they better be doing a good job cleaning theres. If i cant record them cleaning then I will probably use a black light to see how clean the equiopment is compared to a control (I know, grasping at straws). I will also be callin maitnaince to fix my toilet and to see if he will be wearing a mask.. I jsut want to know if this all sounds liek a good idea?
Amy says
My son is having trouble with his landlord’s handyman. He has just moved into a house with four other guys and the handyman broke one guy’s tv and was apparently pretty belligerent when confronted about it and refused to pay for it. Then the handyman put a very deep 4 inch scratch on my son’s car door. My son said he texted the guy about it and he made some rude remarks to my son then called my son and he and his girlfriend proceeded to verbally assault my son and tell him he couldn’t prove it. They informed the landlord and she’s point blank calling them liars and telling them they can’t prove anything which is sad but true. What can they do? All of the guys have agreed that they do not want this man back in their home but the landlord is refusing to listen to them.
Lauren says
My finacé, 4 year old daughter and I live in a duplex. The upper unit is where we reside and the downstairs neighbors just recently moved out because they bought a house. We were informed by our landlord last month that he would be putting the property up to sell. He hired contractors and handy men to fix up the downstairs, in hope of getting things fixed up to sell as fast as possible. He has been absolutely inconsiderate when it comes to the renovations happening. I have been working from home due to Covid-19 and my daughter is home with me as well during the day. They have been heavily renovating the downstairs, sanding and tearing up floors and it has all been quite interruptive and inconvenient to deal with this past week. Last night someone came to stain floors and did not ventilate any windows in the lower unit. We did not know this was occurring as he tends to keep poor communication with us. We were in upper unit for about 4 hours before we could not stay any longer, the fumes were so strong. At this point it was already 11 pm and our landlord had his phone off. We eventually had to evacuate the premises due to fumes because my head and chest began to bother me and I was concerned about my child breathing the fumes as well. My thought is, is it even safe for a landlord to be able to heavily renovate like this when there are still tenants living upstairs? His negligence and lack of empathy or concern for our safety is appalling and I would like to do something about the dangerous situation he’s placed us in. Not only that, but the house was built in the 40s and I have concerns about lead paint with renovators sanding down walls, as children are EXTREMELY susceptible to lead poisoning. What can we do about this situation?
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Lauren. I completely understand your concerns about fumes, lead, air quality, and so on — especially with respect to your child — with renovating an older home. Yes, your landlord needs to be making sure that your living environment is safe and you shouldn’t be subject to fumes, lead dust, or other contaminants or toxins.
I think the big question is, what do you want to do? If you speak with a landlord/tenant attorney, they’ll ask you if the objective is to be permitted to break your lease so you can move out right away, or if it’s that you want to stay but not be bothered by the construction. The landlord is allowed to perform maintenance/repairs/renovation on the property. He should be complying with certain standards for health and safety and should notify you and make accommodations if your living space will be affected.
You can seek the advice of a landlord/tenant lawyer to find out specifically what the local laws are in your area and what your recourse would be. Best of luck!
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Chuck. I’m sorry you’re dealing with an uncomfortable — and potentially unsafe — situation. As you know, the SUNY schools are working closely with their local departments of health and the SUNY Chancellor to keep students safe and following the rules. From your post, it sounds like you live in private housing that’s not owned or controlled by SUNY. While the landlord or manager does have a duty to keep residents safe, that usually refers to living conditions like mold, unsafe stairs, and other physical attributes of the property. There are cases where a landlord has been responsible for making an effort to prevent foreseeable harm in the form of crimes committed or other kinds of behaviors by residents or others in the community.
That said, COVID-19 is new to all of us. A manager can and should request that residents wear masks when gathering, and can request that gatherings be limited to a specific number of people, but how and whether it’s enforced or what they can do if the requirements are violated is likely still murky. One thing you can do for your own health is to stay away from the parties, stay in your own room as much as possible, and avoid close or prolonged contact with your housemates.
If you’re concerned about student behavior, you can report it to campus officials. Even if the students are living off campus, they’re still part of the school community. The campus might also have someone who can help you negotiate with the landlord if you decide to break your lease. Stay healthy and I hope the situation improves for you soon. Best wishes.
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Nikki. I’m sorry to hear this. Yes, your landlord has a duty to make sure that your living conditions are safe, well-maintained, and healthy. If something were to happen (like a ceiling collapse) that caused injury to you or your daughter, your landlord would likely be liable… but let’s hope it doesn’t get to that point.
For now, the best thing you can do is to document all of the issues you see (rotting wood, leaks, etc.) and submit them to the landlord in writing, along with any physical evidence you can provide (like photos of the problems). That puts the landlord on notice that there’s a dangerous condition and will also provide important evidence that might become important if an injury happens.
You can also seek the advice of a landlord/tenant attorney. There are referral services and low- or no cost legal programs that can help you in a landlord/tenant dispute. Your local bar association might be able to help with the process of finding affordable legal assistance. Be well!
Caridad Soriano says
I throw 2 eggs at the car parked outside my apartment window whom was my neighbor Smoking cigarettes and marijuana. These neighbors constantly harass me by doing these things like spitting in my face, calling me derogatory names, threatening me with bodily harm, held a weapon against me, battered me, damaged personal property, and threatened to burn me up and shot me from outside my window, then a spouse came out and pushed me aside, throw power steering fluid on me with intent to light me on fire.. I was in 3 different similar but lesser incidents with these neighbors.. Called resident manager on 3 of the 4 incidents of the issue, but no resolve. I tried asking to please smoke else where due to the smoke is a health concern for me and my family.. what should I do?
Brian Heggemeier says
I am a landlord in Illinois. An elderly tenant is trying to sue me for falling in a grass hole while walking her dog at night. Note she was over on the other side of the property by a building other than hers. We also have lit sidewalks and this hole was about 3 feet away from the building. I was never made aware of this hole. I saw the hole myself and repaired it. Does she have grounds to sue?
Ian Pisarcik says
Generally speaking, landlords in Illinois are not liable for dangerous conditions that exist on the premises unless:
(A) the landlord knew, or should have known, of the defect which the
tenant could not be expected to discover upon reasonable inspection;
and
(B) the landlord failed to disclose his knowledge to the tenant.
Brenda Laing says
I live in an private apt building. The owner has rented a apt to man that has 9 cats and the smell in the lobby because the man lives on the first floor, is horrendous. I mean it makes your eyes burn. You actually cant breathe. What can we do. We keep calling the landlord to be o avail. This has been over a year.
clay pat says
Good Morning
I lease a space for my small electronic business in an industrial park. the facility has no perimeter fencing because the landlord will not permit exterior fence. The facility has been burglarized on three separate weekends over the past 6 months. during the last burglary a fire broke out and damaged my office. there is no sprinkler system in the building. isn’t it the landlord responsibility for a safe and secure environment for the business that are in his building?
David David says
Someone keeps stealing my packages in my building in NJ and my landlord won’t do anything (like install working cameras or security guards) what can I do?
Renee says
I am a senior citizen living on a low fixed income. I lost my housing and ended up in a woman’s shelter for several months until I was able to find something I could afford. I moved here 4 years ago, and was told several things that. We’re not true, first, that I was In ano apartment complex that would take 30% of my incomemail. I asked a rent increases, apart do so told, if, there was apartment crease, it would only be a few dollars. At the end of the first year my rent actually went down one dollar a month, since then, I’ve had increases that have raised my rentrent over $80.00/month in 3 years, and was told, it’s 30% of the prevailing rent for comparable units in the area, which isn’t what I was told when I first leased my unit. They never fix anything, and, because I had a service dog, they didn’t give me new floor coverings like other units in the building. The carpet, I was told, by another tenant, has been here since the place was built, 30 years ago! My dog. Is house broken and has NEVER gone in anywhere we’ve ever lived! The previous renters had dogs that went on the carpet, and the carpet is stained and disgusting! This also use to be a smoking permitted residence, but is now smoke free, so I was told, which is very important because I am an asthmatic. My asthma was stable with only an occasional problem, perhaps once or twice a year. I informed the management when I decided to rent, that a smoke free residence was a necessity! Within a few days after I moved in, I kept smelling cigarette smoke, and mentioned it to the manager. I was then told, that a grandfathered-in smoker was living in the adjacent unit to mine. Smoke comes in through the bathroom plumbing, and through the walls in my bedroom closets, and my bedroom window. I’ve been trying to find some place else that I can afford, as my rent is going up $30.00 more, November 1st, so I will be paying 43% of my monthly income, for rent. My asthma is no longer in control, I’m short of breath, and on routine medication, and cannot afford some of my meds. I’ve tried to get a housing voucher, and am willing to move as far as 100 miles north to get housing that isn’t endangering my health. Can I sue the management company for misrepresenting this as, “smoke free”, and for my 4 years of suffering, and damaging my health? I read that, in Wisconsin, I can get up to $10,000.00 in small claims court, but I don’t feel that comes comes lose weight suffering, and physical deterioration causedan the constant exposure to passive smoke! Whenever I mention the issue to management, I’m told that I will never get a cheaper place to live, but there are people with vouchers, that have are bedroom, (mine is a 1 bedroom) the people with vouchers pay less than $300.00/mo. and get the same amount per month I get. Any help would be appreciated! Thank you.
Phyllis Delaware says
My family was evicted in 2019 due to the rental company’s negligence we made a down payment thought we were buying the house the HVAC unit burned up but they refused to fix it I have CHF they were notified but refused kept our money now we r still homeless n motels they refused to take responsibility for any repairs .thank u Phyllis n okc ok
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Phyllis. I’m sorry for your predicament. If you were renting at the time the HVAC system had problems, it would have been the landlord’s responsibility to have them repaired so that the home would be inhabitable. It sounds like you’re no longer living in that home. If you feel that the landlord owes you money, you might wish to file a small claims court action to recover costs. Best wishes, and I hope you’re able to find a safe and comfortable place to live.
Also, here are some resources for legal and other housing assistance in Oklahoma: https://www.hud.gov/states/oklahoma/homeless.
Jarod says
My neighbors’ dog attacked my dogs in our shared backyard. They had to go to the emergency room which cost over $1,000. Their dogs were roaming immediately outside our only entrance to the house (which is in the backyard). As soon as we opened the door to leave the house, our dogs slipped out the door and got attacked. Could the property owners be liable for allowing a dangerous pitbull to roam inches from our only entrance? It’s very upsetting that we can’t even enter or exit the house without having to worry about attacks. It has jumped on us multiple times as well.
Gwen says
Help!!! I am 45 yo disabled from a drunk driving accident 12 years ago. I moved into some what I assumed were nice low income apartments last May (2019) and have had nothing but problems since I moved in with the management. In fact, the problem started before I even moved in. I turned in an application in the middle of March for an 1 room downstairs apartment that was open. The manager at the time took over six weeks and I had to make 19 visits to get my application approved due to her failure to know how the business worked. I had initially explained to her that I was disabled and was a fall risk for carpet and asked if I could get hard flooring put in. I was told with a doctors note they would replace the carpet for hard flooring at no charge. Three days before I was to move-in I was told that she had made a mistake and that the bottom apartment was no longer available only an upstairs. I had sold my home and I had no place to go and agreed to move in to the upstairs apartment with the agreement that I would be moved to a bottom apartment in 30 to 60 days. New management came two months after I moved in I introduce myself explained what happened and was told that they would keep the same agreement. I never got anything in writing not knowing any better. It took 11 months and a complaint to the HUD department before I got moved to a bottom apartment. When I asked about the flooring they refuse to put in the hard flooring because they were upset with the fact that I had made plans with HUD. From the day I moved in I noticed that the carpet was not normal and realized within 10 days that I had carpet bugs. I immediately complain to the management who told me that the previous tenant didn’t have a problem and that I must’ve brought them in however I moved from an upstairs to her downstairs and have no problem when I’m lived upstairs. I asked that they honor their promise of changing the flooring so we didn’t have to go through the hassle of treating the bags and I wouldn’t have the fall risk and again they refused. I have had nothing but problems trying to get an exterminator in to treat the bugs and was told that they could not treat until the furniture is moved 2 feet away from the wall. I am lowing come have a 10 pound weight lifting limit and no family to help and cannot get the furniture moved away from the wall which cannot get the bugs taken care of. I don’t know what to do or how to get them to fix the problem. In addition I was told I needed to vacuum daily the whole house which is more than I physically can handle while doing so I tripped on the carpet and injured my back. I have already had a previous back injury and that’s just further exacerbated it. I have been unable to get out of a chair for two weeks now and I am at my wits end At what to do to get help. I know being disabled I have certain rights however I am unclear on how my situation and the rights correlate. Any advice you can provide will be grateful
Valerie Jackson says
I live in an apartment complex that the lease does not allow sub-leasing and Airbnb. However, the landlord has allowed the apartment across the hall from me to advertise and solicit Airbnb guests. On one occasion, one of the the drunk Airbnb man tried to forcefully enter my apartment when I was coming home from work late at night. On another occasion, another drunk Airbnb man was banging on my door at 2:00 a.m. totally nude. I had to seek counseling because I was afraid to be in my own home. My doctor prescribed me sleeping pills. I ultimately moved because I feared for my life and my safety living alone and being a senior citizen. The landlord was put on notice of both incidents but took no action. Can I sue the Owners of the building for putting my life in danger and jeapordizing my safety?
John W says
My family stole my lease to my landlord but I cannot ‘prove’ it. Can someone help me please?
Thank you.
Ian Pisarcik says
John,
I’m afraid I’m not sure what you mean by “my family stole my lease to my landlord.” However, you can use our free online directory to locate an attorney in your area. If you can’t afford an attorney, consider contacting your local bar association.
Ian Pisarcik says
Most dog bite statutes apply when dogs bite people, not when dogs bite other dogs. Nevertheless, the owners in this situation could be held liable. Most likely, you would need to prove that the owners knew about the dog’s dangerous tendencies (for example, has the dog attacked before?). If the owners knew the dog was dangerous but failed to leash the dog, they’re probably negligent.
There may also be local ordinances in your town that require dogs to be leashed in multi-unit dwellings.
T.D.F says
I’ve rented my home for 6 years , the property got sold when my landlord died , the new owners have been trying to do self help eviction, they’ve illegally shut my gas off and it was two weeks before I could get it on again , harassed myself and my husband daily, threatened to demolish our home with us in it , and now they came and removed the fence that was at the back of our house , I am worried they’ll be coming to take out the rest of the fencing from around the rest of my yard . I have three daughters and they are 16,13 and 10 and I’m worried about safety now with the fence being removed . Are they allowed to to this ? The police that I called even said he wasn’t sure but that he called some number and they said yes the landlords can remove all of our fencing and come onto our property w out notice anytime , the just can’t come into our home. My oldest has fibromyalgia and over the last three months that they’ve been harassing us the stress has cause her to have awful fibroflair ups and she’s even missed school . Is there anything I can do about the fence ? Are they allowed to remove it all and come on the property at Anytime? Please help .
Ian Pisarcik says
The landlord cannot enter your rental unit without providing reasonable notice. Whether or not your yard is considered part of your unit depends on the language in your lease. If the yard is a common area (which is often the case when more than one rental unit share the yard), then the landlord does not need to provide reasonable notice.
In most cases, your landlord can remove the fence since the landlord owns the property and the fence removal doesn’t make your rental uninhabitable. The exception would be if something in the lease prevents the landlord from doing this.
JHJ says
I live in a building with a controlled access keycode. A few weeks ago I had personal property stolen from our community garage. I informed the police and my landlord. My landlord pointed to non compliance on my part for not having my affects locked. (Which is fine.) But I did notify them that they need to change the pass code for the building due to increasing theft. They did nothing and this morning on my way to my vechicle to go to work at 4am I was confronted by 2 burglars who where rifling through boxes in the back of my truck. They vacated quickly when I confronted them and I wasn’t harmed. This doesn’t seem right that these two made it into my apartment 3 weeks after I notified my landlord to change the access code. I don’t know if I should take legal action against my landlord for failure to provide a safe residence. I certainly don’t feel very safe, considering the burglars could have just as easily made their way through the rest of the building since they got past the controlled access doors.
KayAC says
Hello, I have been staying in my apartment complex for about 2 months now. I live in the state of Texas which requires you to have a deadbolt on the door. I did not realize my apartment did not have one, for this is my first apartment and I am not from Texas. I recently got my apartment broken into while I was in the home so nothing was taken. A friend of mine was visiting and had her dog over, which scared away the intruder. This happened about 3 weeks ago. Just today my apartment was broken into again while I was home. Same outcome, the dog scared them off. I have been feeling very unsafe and wonder if they will come back, just like before. I have told my apartment about it and have asked them to put the deadbolt lock on, I have also made maintenance requests for them to come by. I’ve spoken with both parties that assured me they would come and place the lock on but have yet to come. I don’t know what to do and I don’t want to break my lease. I’m low on options at the moment.
Michael Schuldies says
I live in a 55+ manufactured home community In Arizona. We only have one entrance in our park and the gate is broken down often. I am concerned about access to my home in case of emergencies. Is it state law that there needs to be more than one access?
Renato C says
My landlord hired a team to remodel the floor around the kitchen/livingroom area and that included grinding the concrete. The room doors were not sealed and taped while grinding the concrete, and when I arrived home
my room was filled with concrete dust everywhere. I started feeling very sick (coughing, nauseous, and severe sore throat) I’m still not feeling well and I’m concerned about my health.
I also posses audio equipment in my room and since there’s corrosive materials in concrete dust I’m afraid my equipment may have been damaged.
I believe my landlord did not hire professional workers because before starting a construction project safety should come first. What do you recommend I should do? Should I sue for negligence, pain and suffering?
Pixie Dust says
I’m from Pa. I have been at my apt. since 1/28/17 & it has been nothing, but stress. It’s not the landlord, but the property manager. I know, I can’t tell a judge this, but I will say it here, the PM is a dangerous narcissist & I almost died. For over a year & a half, I was having a lot of break ins. Not too much was stolen, but they destroyed my apt. repeatedly. I spoke to the PM about it. The maintenance man said “There was nothing wrong with the lock.” That was a lie, the lock was flimsy & kept opening up itself. Repeatedly I asked. It took my medicines to be stolen for the lock to be replaced. I’m almost burning out, too much to do, while they ride my butt about the mess the break ins caused, that they didn’t stop. I come out of my bedroom one day & the stove time was off, which was an easy fix. Also, my micro wave’s time was off & it wouldn’t work. I told the PM this & she said the micro wave was not theirs. Then, the water went cloudy. I looked it up & it said “Wait a few days, to see if it clears. It didn’t. Haze started. At first, I didn’t know what it was. It got worse. Shortly after that, I was cooking water for oatmeal & it didn’t take long for the fire alarm to go nuts. Never heard it sound like that before. I ran, the pan went up. Small fire, hard to get out, but I was able to. The fire is suspicious, water doesn’t cause fire or black smoke. It caused a heart attack. The fire marshal, I was told, “Had said, “I fell a sleep & that is why there was a fire.” I took a heart attack, in front of quite a few people. I was being treated terrible by some. The PM called the ambulance, but not to be nice, to get rid of me. The one maintenance man, got me a chair & stayed with me, until the ambulance came. I was taken to the hospital, the hospital quickly knew it was a heart attack. I was told, “I’m lucky, because my heart is strong. The PM called the hospital to try & get my info., but thank God, the hospital refused. The PM was angry that hospital wouldn’t tell her anything. I had to leave, & five walked in. I told the PM not to talk to my family, their is financial abuse going on. So what does she do, she calls my brother-in-law & my brother-in-law called my son-in-law. My son-in-law admitted, he brought my daughter here. The office staff said, “Your daughter was in the office.” She got into my apt. & at the sametime, there was another arson attempt. The same maintenance man told me, “I put the fire out that you caused.” That was projection, I wasn’t even home & it can easily be proven. My home was trashed, new term for destroyed, so the PM had pictures taken to blame my housework. The insurance will not listen to me. One maintenance man admitted he threw a bunch boxes around, I was blamed for that. I was blamed for everything & none of it was my fault. Then, I found out, it took the insurance 5 months to tell me that they awarded them almost $8,OOO. They said, for damages to the cabinets. The cabinets didn’t even have a smudge mark on them. They clamed my micro wave. It isn’t theirs so they can’t claim it. I want those pictures back to give to the police, but the PM & insurance refused. Also, an interested party gives them no rights to make claims on my insurance, but they did. All that gives them the right to is information on the policy. I have been treated poorly, mocked & smeared. They know, I have high blood pressure & they don’t care. I have gone to the hospital, several times, because of their abuse. I can’t afford anymore. When, I came home, it didn’t take long to turn around & go back to the hospital, from their nastiness. My blood pressure was 222. I wanted to call the police, but was laughed at. I was told, “The police weren’t coming out & they didn’t. Harassment started. There was a young man, hiding in the dark, near my apt. behind a small bull dozer. I came out to check the foundation to the apt, because we are now in fall, to make sure all was sound. It happened three times, so I called the police. I had to call the police twice to come out & once, to talk on the phone. The officer wasn’t told everything, I just figured it out. He didn’t like that 5 people were in my apt illegally & made a report. The very next day, the maintenance men retaliated & wouldn’t pick up my trash. Another tenant got it done that week, but it happened the week after. All they do is lie. The PM said the place was restored. No, it wasn’t, you can see the soot in the rug. There is a lot of what looks like mold all through the rugs, haze, some cracks & they admit nothing. I have plenty of proof, thus arson. I found scissors, in my bed, my underwear was touched. About $200 in books were stolen. No, one does a thing. I just finally got a couple of police reports. I’m sensitive to mold or the haze. My nose won’t stop running & I am coughing, headaches & my eyes feel terrible. I was checked out for corona & it was negative. I seen a cariologist & he agees my heart is strong. Now, I have to see an MD who is looking into why my blood pressure will not come down. Might need a neurologist, I just don’t feel at all good. My husband is putting me through financial abuse, so I need a pro bono lawyer. 5 months later & finally got a police report. The regional manager was phished & it just doesn’t stop. My stomach always feels like I haven’t eaten for a day or two & the exhaustion I’m fallen behind in everything. I want to sue the PM for all the health problems she caused.
Melissa Gold says
I am so sorry for what you’re experiencing. Yes, it does sound as though there’s a lot happening here and you’d be best served by consulting with a pro bono lawyer. You might wish to contact the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. at (800) 322-7572 or visit them at http://www.palegalaid.net. You might also wish to contact the PA Housing Law Project, which provides legal services related to landlord/tenant issues.
Finally, you mentioned that you’re a victim of financial abuse. If you need additional assistance, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-SAFE (7233). A counselor there will also be able to assist you in finding help for your situation. Best wishes — I hope you feel better soon and are able to resolve your apartment issues. Take care!
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Renato. Thank you for asking. I’m sorry this happened.
The main issue is that you need to prove that your injury (both your illness and damage to your equipment) was caused by the landlord’s negligence, and that’s not always easy to do. First, visit a doctor. Your doctor would need to be able to rule out other causes for the symptoms you’re experiencing and must believe it’s possible that the symptoms could be caused by the contaminant you describe. You’ll also want to know exactly what chemical(s) were present in the dust inside your home in order to determine whether those particular chemicals could cause the health symptoms you’re experiencing.
With respect to damage to your equipment, it would be a similar approach. You’d need to show that your equipment was working properly before it was exposed to the concrete dust and that after the exposure, it no longer works. You also would need an expert to testify that exposure to this type of dust could cause equipment to malfunction or become unusable. If that’s the case, then you could recover the value of the equipment that you need to replace if it’s no longer working as a result of this incident.
The landlord does have a duty to ensure that any construction or maintenance on the property is done in a way that meets health and safety standards. However, in order to make a successful claim you need to prove that the landlord breached that duty and the breach resulted in actual harm that caused you money. If you are interested in pursuing a claim, you might want to contact a personal injury lawyer for guidance. Best of luck!
Ian Pisarcik says
I am unaware of any state laws that require more than one entrance into a manufactured home community. There may, however, be a local ordinance. I would recommend sending your landlord a letter (certified with return receipt requested) explaining the issue with the gate. If your landlord doesn’t fix the problem in a reasonable amount of time, you might consider meeting with a real estate attorney in your area to discuss your options.
C student says
Hello, I am c an undergrad student and I live in apartment for student living. I have lived here for almost 3 years. Denton,TX. I have many issues with maintenance and the office manager. For not closing the gates, Lack of providing cleaning products at the gym according to the CDC Or their cleaning rounds to. My request of maintenance not being completed and mark as completed. Buckets of maintenance left by the elevator for months, mattress left in hallway for months. To the broken elevator every other week or every other day. Lastly, today I was parked in the first floor there’s a gate in between the parking lot and my car. I ran inside the office to get a drink at the drinking machine with my partners dog. In my way back to my car that was parked right after the gate, the door of entry so I could get to my car was locked. So I couldn’t go through it I had to use the open gate. Well the gate closed on me injuring my dog, my arm my leg and my chest. I panic and I got in my car and drove off to an upper floor ran to my apartment in excruciating pain and told my roommates what happened. They advise to call the paramedics and the police. I did and they accompany me downstairs where we waited. Take in mind I live in upper leves and the elevator is broken. I waited for paramedics, I refuse to go to the hospital because I only have my school insurance and the police officer said he couldn’t take a report because no criminal action took place and the apartment complex is private property that it would be a civil matter. Well when this happened the manager came out and didn’t ask how I was or if I was okay he showed the officer the door I should of come through and told the officer the gate isn’t for pedestrians only vehicles and he even showed the officer the door. Then be simply left and said he needed to attend to the person who got stuck inside the elevator. Now, I am in a lot of pain, my dog isn’t doing too well and I will like to know what I should do? Please advise, Student C.
Micah Figueroa says
My mother is renting a townhome, for 11 years now. There has been a water leak under the floor, leaving the entire tile dining room & carpet living room soaked, for 1 month now.
The owner harldy replies, and when he does, only says he’s trying to contact HOA.
Its been a month, and mold can grow in a day.. and were in the midst of a global lung pandemic. What our my moms rights here? I’m scared for her health.
Thank you
Ian Pisarcik says
In Nevada, if a landlord fails to take care of important maintenance, such as fixing a serious water leak, the tenant has the right to repair the issue and deduct the cost from their rent. Before doing so, the tenant must provide the landlord with written notice.
Accordingly, your mother should consider providing the landlord with written notice of the issue (send it certified mail with return receipt requested). Your mother should then give the landlord a reasonable amount of time to fix the issue before hiring someone to repair it herself and deducting the cost from her next rent check.
Luis says
Hi, my Familiy and I had lived in the same house for five years and we recently discovered that our gas pipe is no routed correctly. The pipe goes throught the bottom of the house and goes trought the AC filter, where the air comes out, and had always been like that since the housed was made and it a violation to the safety code of my city. However we were unaware of this, so whenever we turned the gas on, the was pushed through the AC filter and to the furnance to shoot the gas out, but the AC pipe is also there, so sometimes we could smell gas through the AC ventilations. Also, since the gas pipe is coming to the thorugh the AC, the pipe is getting corrosion all over it and could explode at any moment. The pipe has to be separated from the AC pipe or rerouted to get out of the AC filter. Since we got this information, we informed the house ower, we rent the house we live in, and he send some to put a piece of insulation around the pipe, because he does not want to pay to reroute the pipe. My question is, he could be held liable for that? For refusing to do something to ensure our safety in the house and putting in us danger of a fire?.
PS: We don’t have any gas at home right now because we didn’t pay it, but when the guy who was suposed to reconnect the gas, he notice the pipe and told us about it.
Elizabeth Patmon says
Recently there was an ice storm where I live . Many large branches broke off of the mature tree that sits in the front yard , hit the house, and landed in the front yard. The landlord has sent lawn care guys over to see if I want to pay 1 of them to remove the branches. I don’t believe that this is my responsibility. The weight of the ice broke the tree branches. Over 200,000 people in the state where I live have been without electricity for a week already . This is a natural disaster , not just strong winds that caused a few limbs to drop. I can’t find clear answer as to what Oklahoma law is in this situation. We’ve all missed time off work , I couldn’t afford it. Shouldn’t he have home owners insurance that covers this kind of thing ?
Ashley Addington says
Hi…I my boyfriend and I lost our job due to Covid-19. We have been struggling to survive every since being we receive less than $100 a week. Our rent is $550 a month and thats including water and lawn maintenance. Up until this past month we have managed to keep our rent current. This last month we have been having trouble coming up with the total amount, but making small payments when possible. My landlord served me with a 5 day notice to pay on the 1st of the month, same day rent is due. Since that day she has called & texted my phone, even messaging me on social media( when she cant reach me via her other attempts) almost daily, wanting an update on her money, and even insisting i tell her how im trying to come up with her money, and if i dont respond to her when she tries to make contact she, accuses me of being lazy,sleeping all day, or even makes statements that im not getting her money bc im being treated bad in my relationship, and she even comes to my home, and BEATS on the door until i answer to address how im trying to come up with the money i owe. Well a few nights ago, i was asleep in my room, my boyfriend fell asleep on the couch watching tv, and we were awaken by someone KICKING our front door and screaming, and then BEATING on my bedroom window. As i jumped up i looked at the clock and it was around 1 AM. I went to the door and it was my landlord. She forced her way into my he yelling and cursing at me, putting her fingers in my face, screaming so much she was spiting in my face. She kept taking her cell phone sticking it in my face and acting like she was going to hit me. She told me i was lazy and was calling me names and cursing me out and told me to be out in 3 days. I told her to file eviction if she wanted me to move out but with out legal eviction i wasnt leaving bc i have a right to a fair hearing Infront of a judge. When i said this my landlord proceeded to grab me by my throat and throw me up against the wall . My boyfriend jumped up of the couch and grabbed her from behind restraining her. As he was telling her to calm down and keep her hands off me, she proceeded to attack him, bitting several times and breaking the skin along with numerous scratches. Ahe then tried to claw his face and in self defense he smacked her and told her again to stop. At this point she got up and he went outside on our porch and she proceeded to fallow him aggressively, he had his pistol on him and fired a shit of at the ground over the porch and told her told her to leave. At this point she decided to stop attacking us and the police were called. The police showed up and handcuffed my boyfriend and questioned us separately. After getting all parties statements the police concluded we were in the right t9 protect ourselves in our home. The police then asked if we wanted to press charges, at the same time informed us that if we pressed charges against her, he was taking both my boyfriend and the landlord to jail. Being my boyfriend has a clean record, we decided to keep it that way and not press charges…The pandlord then put him on no trespassing and he ended up having something put on his record anyway. We all agreed to not have any contact with each other. The very next dayshe began to text me, long paragraphs tellimg me i scammed her and she was going to lose everything she had, and i had 3 days to get out. I again requested a legal eviction and for her not to personally contact me again and that i was blocking her number. The following day She then made an account to get a wifi number and text me harassing me . I informed her once again to stop contacting me and if she didnt i would contact the police and press harassment charges on her as the police informed me to do so… What can i do? Do i have a legal case against my landlord?
Sam says
Hello,
I live in California in an apartment, my downstairs neighbor that had newly moved in shot a gun and a bullet went through my floor, a wall, and into the ceiling of the next room. My boyfriend was two feet from the stray bullet and called the police. They deemed as an accident. My management company didn’t reach out for 3 days, I emailed them first inquiring what was being done. I want to end my lease as well, what are the best steps here?
Thank you!
Sam
Kaitlyn says
Hello,
We have lived in our apartment complex for going on 3 years, in the past year we have had a change in Management. When we first signed our lease the entire complex was no smoking, when new management took over they removed that clause and we were not aware / didn’t think to look for this when we resigned.
We have since had new downstairs neighbors move in and our apartment has had a constant smell of both cigarette & marijuana smoke. We have called our leasing office once to express our concern and they said they would send a notice, since then nothing has changed. We have sent another email to them expressing more concern but have a feeling nothing will really be done about it. Marijuana is not legal in our state, and we are mostly concerned with our apartment and close constantly smelling and the effects of second hand smoke, especially in the middle of a global pandemic that attacks the respiratory system.
Please let me know if you think we have any legal grounds in this situation if nothing else can be done to resolve this!
Jesse Sandoval says
Hello, I’m in CALIFORNIA here.
This October 31st 2020 at 0745 (am) we noticed all four tires on our 3 vehicles were slashed. We made a police report and let the landlord know of what happened and asked her (The Landlord) if she planned on putting up the fence. It has been taken off for over a year now due to structural damage caused by palm trees that her late husband planted. Her answer was that “it wasn’t her issue, and that if people in the neighborhood did that, then there must’ve been a reason for it.” Now I have to set up cameras and a DVR, (which cost me over $200) get new tires (over $300), and get renters insurance (another $260 for the whole year) in case someone does have it out for us.
Now my question is:
Is it really not the landlord’s responsibility to put up that fence to provide us with safety and peace of mind? And if it is, can I deduct what I had to pay for our loss on next month’s rent?
Tee Carter says
I visit my elderly mother each day me and my children at tenant at my mothers apartment complex attacked and assaulted my grandson she is charged with assault and my daughter and grandchildren received a restraining order againt the tenant but now I am being evicted by my apartment complex for unauthorized tenants how is this possible and they were attacked i have the police report showing who was the aggressor
Tenant In Danger says
I’ve informed my landlord that the other apartment in my building is a brothel. We constantly have men knocking in our door looking for the prostitutes- we have to wait to enter our building or leave oftentimes because strange men are lingering around the lobby door. Undercover cops have shown up at my door with photos of one of the women from the apartment and questioned me about what I know. I e asked to leave my apartment 3 months early because I do not feel safe. My landlord said that I would be penalized for doing so.
Maria says
I am a PM in CO and work with a Tampa Fl area property that was bought a few weeks ago. One tenant didn’t pay on the 1st, posted a 3 day after the grace period. She said she would pay on the 8th. On the 9th she said she can’t pay rent for another week because she was in the hospital for two weeks and can provide the hospital records. Since the new owners just took possession and we have no positive payment history with this tenant, only negative interactions so far, I would like to verify the info before proceeding. Would I be violating any laws requesting the proof of hospital stay? If I just request proof of admission and release dates- would I be violating any tenant rights? Thanks
Ian Pisarcik says
In New York, a tenant is able to terminate their lease if their are conditions on the premises that are hazardous or detrimental to their life, health, or safety (see New York Real Property Law 235-B). In your case, an illegal brothel is probably sufficient to terminate your lease in the eyes of the law. I would try writing the landlord a letter explaining the situation and citing the appropriate law. If your landlord doesn’t agree to jointly end your lease, I would reach out to an attorney or your local legal aid office.
Kurtis says
Last year a firework broke a hole the roof of the conservatory which is cheap plastic corrugated material, it was replaced like for like , this year the exact same has happend again , and the land lord is blaming us for it , we’re worried a live firework could come through the roof and set the property in fire, and the landlord is blaming us even though we didnt set off any fireworks , what can we do?
Dwoods says
This is a question, I love in a apartment complex one morning I left for work and my son 10yrs of age went outside to my wife’s car and decided that he wanted to drive while she was still asleep. Long story short he wreck into the apt building and we are now facing eviction. My question is the maintenance man seen him driving the car and did nothing to stop this from happening. He took his phone out and started to record it. This is truly my sons fault as I do not blame anybody else but my son. Is there anything that the maintenance man could have our should have done to keep the property safe.
Ian Pisarcik says
Thank you for your question.
The maintenance man is probably not liable in this situation. If the maintenance man repeatedly witnesses your son driving the vehicle and told your landlord, then your landlord MIGHT have a legal obligation to take steps to prevent your son from driving the vehicle.
Ian Pisarcik says
Kurtis,
If you know who is setting off the fireworks, I would recommend sending them a written letter (certified with return receipt requested) explaining the situation and asking them to refrain from setting off any more fireworks. If they ignore your letter and the property is damaged again, you can sue them and introduce your letter as evidence.
Additionally, I would recommend sending your landlord a written letter (certified with return receipt requested) explaining the dangerous condition and asking the landlord to remedy it (by, perhaps, installing a more expensive roof).
Finally, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to reach out to a landlord-tenant attorney in your area who can look at your situation more closely and go over your options.
Chaz says
I live in Alabama, I have rented for now 1.7 years I was told by my landlord it was a quit safe area. Since I have moved here. 1/ One man less than a 1/3 mile was killed in his car. Four doors down from my landlord. He told me again it was safe.
2/ a gun fight between two cars past my house..
3/ my next door neighbor was a target due to a bad drug deal and shots again but this time he was hit 4/ One car cheating a man down the street while my grass was being cut came running across my front lawn with guns shooting at each other. The guy cutting my grass crawled under the house 5/. Gun fight one street over chasing each other. 4 of my truck windows shot out. Now here is the question. My landlord keeps saying he’s on it with the city. Now I have to pay for my windows. Can I sure his home insurance for damage Thanks
Ian Pisarcik says
I’m not sure I understand your question. Are you saying that you are being evicted from the apartment complex where you were attacked and also reside?
Though I don’t have all the information, having “unauthorized tenants” and being assaulted sound like two separate issues.
If you feel you are being wrongfully evicted, I would recommend meeting with a landlord-tenant attorney in your area. If you need help finding a lawyer, you can use our free online directory.
Ian Pisarcik says
Your landlord has a legal obligation to provide you with a reasonably safe and habitable place to live. I would recommend sending your landlord a letter explaining the issues you’re having with the other tenants and further explaining that you fear for your safety. Your landlord should take steps to remedy the issue (either by evicting the tenants or moving you to another apartment). If the landlord doesn’t remedy the issue, you should reach out to a landlord-tenant attorney.
Joseph says
Are you required to sign a landlord liability waiver before any reasonable modification work is done after landlord gave approval? It a health and safety issue.
Ian Pisarcik says
Your landlord is responsible for repairing the damage caused by the downed tree. You must give your landlord written notice (be sure to keep a copy for your records).
You may tell your landlord in the notice that if repairs are not made within 14 days, you will terminate your lease on a date that is not less than 30 days from receipt of the notice, and your lease will be over. If the repair costs less than $100, you may tell the landlord that you will have the repair made yourself and subtract the cost or value from your rent if the landlord does not make the repair within 14 days.
Worried says
My neighbor had a fire in the apartment above me because they are making drugs. The fire department came but they blames it on a grill, but we saw the fire…it was not a grill fire….i feel unsafe here. How can i get them evicted? Is my landlord responsible for safety? Can I get a rent refund?
Chellee says
Our landlord has broken the law a couple times. We live in Vermont. He has come into our home with our permission, has touched our personal property and unplugged our security cameras. Now I am in the home with my 9 month old son and he is using spray insulation in the basement apartment, with us in the home. OSHA states occupants should not be in the build and should not return until 24 hours after they are done spraying.
Colleen says
I live in California and I have the hardest time getting a attourney to help me. I lived in my apartment for 11 years it always smelled musty but I never found any leaks. Well last year I found mold and the whole house smelled like an outhouse and I had made a trip to the emergency room and my dog was fighting for his life now passed . I left my home, I told my landlord I had been gone a while and there were major problems and the house was not safe . Well it tested positive for toxic black mold I had no place to live or to go he left me homeless for 8 months the city got involved but would not come look at the problem the county came and saw that my landlord had started plumbing work but they would not condemn the building. It’s been a major heartache. I ended up paying for the renovations of my bathroom which he will not pay me for . He fired me as the property manager and the new managers harassed me enough to where I signed an agreement cash for keys but I still have not got any reimbursement for my damages . The property management company has taken all of belongings now and will not give them back . It’s been a nightmare
Southeast says
I currently live in South Carolina. My neighbors smoke in their unit and my apartment constantly smells like smoke. Lately they started smoking weed in their apartment too (which is not legal in SC.) I had called and discussed this with the apartment manager many times within 5 months and they have done nothing. Now the new neighbors upstairs are constantly making noise and even more so after filing a complaint about it to the apartment manager. I don’t know what to do and sometimes I find myself not wanting to come home after work.
Allysa says
Hello, I know you get a lot of comments but any help is appreciated. There have been a multitude of incidents at my complex and little is being done. First and foremost my car has been broke into and ransacked 4 times. Homeless people are a constant issue (sleeping at my front door, shitting by front door/ loitering) as well as they seem to just roam around the property rummaging through the dumpsters at all hours. All I get told is call security (which is located off the property) and they do little to nothing except do a couple of patrols directly after the incident but nothing consistent or continuous. Is there anything I can do? I have filed police reports and reached out to my leasing office many times. At this point I am scared to go out to my car after dark. Please can someone help.
Aileen says
Hi! I contracted hot tub folliculitis from the hot tub in my apartment building this weekend. Can I terminate my lease without having to pay the early termination fee? I don’t feel comfortable living here anywhere since they are responsible for additional safety concerns addressed in the past. The first example, when I moved in the apartment was dirty and had not been cleaned per CDC recommendations during COVID. I made a formal compliant with management and was just offered a $50 gift card to remedy the situation. Additionally, I almost cut my foot because the transition between the carpet and tile did not have a strip placed between. I made the request for them to add the strip since I also have a 14 month old and it took them weeks to get it installed with multiple maintanance crews and vendors entering my apartment to resolve the issue during COVID. I’m concerned for our safety and do not feel comfortable anymore since I believe the property management has no regard for my personal wellbeing and my sons as well as the other tenants.
Shelly Ingram says
I was home invaded he broke through the window and wall out side on my fire escape I dont know this man he was crazy I feared for my life I was sleeping and I head a big bang and got up to look in my other room and he attack me beat me wreaked my back and neck and beat me he also had a nife he had also beat and robbed 4 other women in this building before me ,there was no reason for this to happen because the police should have been called way before I called them I can only blame the landlord and would like to sue them any one out there that can help …iam also a senior and disabled in a wheel chair
Ian Pisarcik says
I am so sorry this happened to you.
Under Washington law (RCW 9A.36.160), a person can be held criminally liable if they fail to call the police when a crime is committed against another person. You may also be able to hold your landlord civilly liable if he failed to properly secure the apartment.
I would recommend using our free online directory to contact an attorney near you. If you can’t afford an attorney, you can contact the Washington State Bar free legal help line.
Pixie Dust says
From Pa. There was a suspiscious fire in my apt. causing black smoke. It cause me to have a heart attack & I could have died, if my heart wasn’t strong. While I was in the hospital a office worker told me my daughter was in the office. I found out that the PM had called my brother-in-law, my brother in law called my son-in-law, My son-in-law told me, he brought my daughter to my apt. This was the time when there was another attempt & I was in the hospital. 5 people or more were in my apt illegally. I finally got a police report. Of course, there was retaliation. The edvidence was thrown out, what caused the arson, the stove hood, but I managed to save some of it. There was almost $8.OOO insurance fraud. My microwave caught fire. No, one will do a thing about this, nor did it make the news. The police wouldn’t come out & I was laughed at. The fire marshal was caught gossiping about me to a neighbor & refuse to inspect my apt, on the 30th of Oct. Now, I found out, it appears to be a family member trying to cause medical identity theft. Can I get a break. It is doubtful the landlord did anything, but the maintance men & the PM did. I was vandalized & they refused to changed the lock, until my medicines were stolen. I’m living with mold, haze, & soot that was never cleaned up. The PM was told not to talk to my family, because my family is causing financial abuse. I was almost evicted twice. I had a heart attack & no one gives a dang!!
Michael Smith says
My landlord informed me that his realtor was coming over to take pictures during the current pandemic to place the house on the market. He wrote they will not be coming in the house.
First off my girlfriend was alone when they came she and my newborn son who was born 9 weeks premature. They had no permission to come into the home from myself the landlord nor my girlfriend as they just came into the house and said we’re here to take pictures.
I have pictures proving the didn’t follow social distancing or mask mandate as required by law.
They left after 2 hours, a few minutes later my son awoke with a 101.1 temperature and spent 8 hours in the ICU.
WHAT ARE MY LEGAL OPTIONS?
Claire Mills says
In my state there is a statue of limitation of 3 years on accidents on a landlords property. There was a loose plank on the porch and when I went down the stair with my walker first I fell. I just had a recent hip replacement and everything was ruined. I had surgery to reconstruct the hip and femur. I continued to have 4 more surgeries after the reconstruction over the next two and a half years. Which brings us into 2020. If, due to the fall, my injury caused continued care of the leg, can that statue be extended? After the six total surgeries I can hardly walk anymore and in a wheelchair. Thank you.
Monica says
My daughter lives in an apartment complex in Texas. A couple weeks ago, she attempted to close her kitchen window. The windows are old, single pane, and they stick, Her right arm went through the window while trying to close it, lacerating her muscle, tendon and nerves. She is 6 months pregnant, was rushed to the emergency room where they gave her a couple blood transfusions for the amount of blood she lost. She will be beginning physical therapy to gain use of her hand, and we are hoping that she will regain full feeling again. She is now unable to work as she recovers. What options does she have?
Kristin petroske says
My apartment was shot at three times and all three bullets landed in my apartment.isnt the landlord responsible for my safety? Meaning it was found out I wasn’t the intended apartment to be shot at it was meant for the neighbor next door. Does anyone know if I have a civil case to sue my landlord? My safety was violated due to none of my doings.
Ian Pisarcik says
The statute of limitations generally begins to run at the time the first injury occurred (i.e., when you fell). Nevertheless, there are some rare exceptions that could apply to your case. I would recommend meeting with a personal injury attorney. Most initial consultations are free and the attorney will be able to look at your case in detail and determine whether you still have time to file.
Robert O says
The maintenance staff of my apartment complex broke into my apartment and entered (albeit with a key) without notice and after being made aware that a minor with severe mental illness was living there and knowing that I was at work at the time of the break-in. Can I break the lease due to this crime committed by the very leasing company responsible at least in part for my safety and that of my child?
Natalie Mocini says
Hello –
So I live in Colorado and my vehicle was damaged by patio furniture owned my my property management company on property due to high winds – would the property management company be liable by means of negligence for not securing the patio furniture that was near the resident parking area?
Mike Walker says
I have a tenant complaining that the bathtub in the property I lease is too slanted and they do not feel safe using it. It is the same tub that was in the property when I acquired it one year ago (has been the same tub in place 50+ years). I personally showed here a dozen times and did not find any issues. What would be my legal responsibility to an existing fixture which has been problem free for decades..
Brandon Matheny says
If my apartment had never replaced a heater from when it was built and it started leaking into the apartment and caused my wife get carbon monoxide poisoning and go to the hospital. They said they will not pay for for her medical bills. Is this correct for them not having to pay for it or are they legally liable for them to flag for it?
Ian Pisarcik says
Landlords have a legal obligation to fix dangerous condition. However, they must first be aware of the dangerous condition. If your landlord was aware that the heater was dangerous and didn’t repair or replace it, then he may be liable. Similarly, if your landlord failed to properly maintain or install the heater, then he may be liable. I would recommend meeting with an attorney in your area. Most initial consultations are free and the attorney will be able to review the details of your case and tell you whether you have a legitimate claim worth pursuing.
If you need help locating an attorney, you can use our free directory.
JT says
I have been shot on the premises of my apartment complex. My landlord is trying to evict me for something I had no control over. She’s stating that I broke one of the apartment complex rules. I did not ask to get shot. I feel she is harassing me. What are my rights as a victim?
Ian Pisarcik says
There are a number of reasons a landlord can evict a tenant, including a violation of the rental agreement.
In California, a landlord has to file an eviction lawsuit against the tenant with the court and obtain a court order to legally carry out the eviction process. However, before they can file a lawsuit, they must serve a notice indicating the reason for eviction.
If you believe your landlord is wrongfully evicting you and you need free or low cost legal help, find the legal aid office near you.
CJ says
I’m wondering if you are not on any paperwork, not married, but living with a partner who rents the apartment for a couple years or so now, are you entitled to the same rights as your partner, legally?
The apartment is uninhabitable for many reasons, and there is a lawsuit being set in motion. Am I able to be awarded any of the same benefits if it is won?
Thank you! 🙂
Adrienne says
I was attacked by someone in my building and it is on security footage. I filed a police report and the property manager says that he provided the footage to the officer that requested it. Do I have a right to the footage and to the name of the individuals who attacked me? The property company seems to be withholding this information from me.
Adam Howard says
*Note-(I am hard of hearing so I text my landlord rather than call. It’s an agreement we have because i cant make out what is said on the phone.)The maintenance employee for my landlord was consistently loud between the hours of 12am-4am, noises consistent with remodel work. Power tools and saws, pounding nails, etc…so I complained to my landlord and decided to mention the few other issues that had been bothering me such as my broken stove and ungrounded gfci outlets in the 1/2 bath, the stolen package that took me 3 attempts to get back that the employee and his mother had opened and shoddily taped shut. The day after speaking to my landlord the maintenance employee, whom lives in the apartment below my bedroom, it’s a house converted into 3 apartments with 2 down stairs and 1 apartment upstairs, came stomping and screaming up my stairs, swearing and yelling about my dog playing at 1 o’clock in the afternoon. Yelling that it’s too loud and making his ceiling fall. As he was aggressive and rude as well as disrespectful, I told him to leave and not to return until he can speak to me in a respectful and less aggressive way. His response was to ask me to come out to fight him and when I declined, The maintenance employee called the police and said he heard someone cry for help and sounds of a fight from my apartment. I spoke to the police as did my girlfriend whom confirmed nobody called for help and that it was my 6 month old yellow lab playing. Come the following morning, which I call day 2 of this nightmare, my landlord came knocking on my door inquiring about the issue the day before with the police. He had stated that his employee, the employees girlfriend and the employees mother all heard a cry for help and that it sounded like people fighting, I explained to my landlord that the police were already here about that issue and there was no fighting, just my dog. I proceeded to bring up that I would prefer his employee maintain a reasonable distance from me because he has threatened violence and been very rude and aggressive towards me. I also mentioned how I have to send packages to a friends house because they took mine, opened it, and had no intentions of returning my 3yr old daughters Halloween costume. When I mentioned that part the employee, and his mother and girlfriend came out from underneath the stairs that lead to my door yelling at me and the employee himself charged up the stairs at me yelling about wanting to fight me again. I stepped back into my house and locked the door and called the police. All the while my landlord stands and watches his employee behave this way to a tenant, whom has only lived in the apartment for 3 months on a 6 month lease. Fast forward 3 fairly calm ordinary days and its 935pm, my kids are sleeping, and dog is relaxing chewing on her toy. I hear the loud sound of an impact driver followed but what most definitely sounded like a paslode gas powered roofing nailer. I take video and send it along with a message explaining he woke my kids up and is making my dog bark, to the landlord per the leasing agents request, because I kept them informed as well. No response that evening nor the next morning until 1030am after I texted him asking if he received the message. His only response was “yes”. I waited 3 full hours for any other response before I sent him a text and explained to him how unprofessional his and his employees behaviour was, how his employee has threatened with violence on several occasions and that I feel uncomfortable in my own home because my landlord ignores my complaints and only asks me about October’s, which I have sent pictures of the receipts proving it was paid. How its unacceptable that I have to send packages to a friends for fear that the maintenance employee will steal them if I dont physically receive them. Still no response. I work 2and shift and return home at midnight, when I got got to my driveway my neighbor, the maintenance employee, was waiting in the drive way and again became hostile about my talking to the landlord and threatened me with violence again. I said it was after midnight and I do not want to do this right now and kept trying to move past him to get to my stairs to my apartment. He pushed his chest out and used to to bump into mine to push me back wards when my friend who drove me home intervened. That puts me at today. I have a 3yr old girl and 12month old little boy in my home. I’ve never had something like this happen before and am at a loss for what to do to get it to stop. I cant afford to move till my lease is up in 2 months. What do I do?
Ian Pisarcik says
Lawsuits based on the uninhabitability of an apartment are essentially breach of contract claims. For that reason, you don’t generally have standing to file a lawsuit and recover damages unless you are a party to the contract (i.e., the rental agreement).
MP says
I have an attached garage with a remote-controlled garage door that leads directly into my apartment via an entry door. The entry door into the living portion of the apartment has working locks, deadbolts, etc. My garage door itself broke and a part must be repaired in order to fix. There is no secondary locking mechanism on the garage door so a person could easily walk up and lift and close the door at any time and therefore enter the garage where I park my car as well as have some storage space that I utilize.
To provide some history, there has been a lot of unit break-ins on the property over the last year, including a successful break-in of my apartment through my 2nd story balcony as well as an unsuccessful break-in attempt, also through my 2nd story balcony. I have documented and shared all of this information with the apartment management as well as my concerns of the overall general safety on the property. These have been responded to directly from the property manager with mostly excuses, including the most recent regarding the garage door issue.
I submitted the request to repair and after 5 days, no attempts to contact me or repair took place. The eventual response I received is that because there is a door with locks between the attached garage and the livable portion of my unit, a broken garage door was not considered an emergency or safety issue.
My question: legally, couldn’t this potentially be a significant safety issue?
Michael says
I moved out of an apartment complex, due to concerns about fire safety. The city of Destin has an ordinance of grilling on balconies. There was an individual that had a propane tank, hooked up to a high output burner for boiling seafood in a very large pot. The management team would send out reminders of what’s allowed on balconies, but the propane and tank continued to be on the balcony. I was told that I still have to pay for 2 months of rent after I moved out. My brother had also just lost his home and pets to a fire and I was concerned for my safety and my pet. Do I have a case?
Tiffany says
I live in NH and in workforce housing and one of the tenants above me was given my medical conditions per property manager and my son and i had been living on the first floor after we moved from another one of their units that from November- May was making me very sick and i complained along with pictures of black around pictures and in my cabinets and closets but never said or did anything about it, moved me bc i threaded with A lawyer so now in new unit and this resident above me stomps around not heavy walking it’s heavy boots stomping and lights rattle and i suffer also from PTSD and seizures but i have more serious medical conditions. This resident has been doing this stomping along with her boyfriend laughing for hours every day and I’ve filed complaints non stop and nothing was done even causing me to have A serious seizure which my son called 911 and they were laughing on the porch as i was being taken away unconscious and my son heard her say seriously that caused A seizure. Still property manager did nothing so it continued and they hired A leasing manager who was talking to me outside on my porch and my door was shut. She thought my son was hammering something in the wall and i said no it’s her upstairs she does thus for hours and no one will evict her and finally she called manager and said i heard it outside from her porch and while on the phone with her it’s that loud. She was addressed and suggested that she move to another unit in my building and i flipped. Then i was told that it’s apartment living and if i have these medical conditions Maybe i shouldn’t live in an apartment and move in with my parents. I have lived in many apartments and never had an issue. So after months of recordings still no change til i threatened lawsuits against the girl and owners of complex. They moved her to the building behind me but for A year this went on and now my property manager is texting me stuff u don’t say to tenants like sorry if u have serious memory problems and your delusional along with mental health problems. She continues to tell people my health problems and it’s other residents that she is extremely mean to and harasses and threatens not to renew our leases. We complain to main office and they send it back to her. She then calls us, some are elderly too and screams at us which adds more stress and affects our health. I recently complain because the black stuff that’s on the walls and on the Tupperware in the drawers in the cabinets is happening again and my health is declining and she told the owners I burn candles all the time which I do not and says I’m just doing this all for attention. What are my rights. I am currently on chemo and since I moved here three years ago everything was going great I feel like I was normal for the first time in 10 years but soon as i moved here my health has declined and my son is worried constantly
JR says
My Landlord is currently in the process of selling the house / property.
The property is zoned half residential and half commercial in a downtown core.
On the front of the property is 2 semi-detached houses (3 apartments total), which have been tenanted for more than 10 years by the same residences. In the back of the property there is an industrial garage, where an auto mechanic shop used to operate. The mechanic shop had stopped all operations about 11 years ago. In this shop there is a (now illegal) full paint bay, as well as a few in ground mechanic/service pits that are not properly sealed / drain into gravel sub-flooring.
As part of the sale of the property the landlord has been having the soil tested, water monitoring wells were drilled (now being decommissioned). Underground oil tanks ( I believe) are scheduled to be excavated in the next few weeks.
I have lived on this property renting one of the units for over 10 years now. As such,
A) Do I have a right to demand publication of the results of the soil / water samples ?
B) If the results are contaminated, what grounds do I have to seek damages from the landlord(s) ?
C) What are my legal options at this point (prior to the house being sold and after the soil results are final) ?
D) is there any time-limitations that would stop me from taking any legal action?
Please let me know!
JLM says
I moved to this state into this complex on Sept 15, 2020. The management company that owned it at that time moved a couple in under my son, my 4yr old autistic grandson & myself the 1st week of Oct 2020. I tried being neighborly the 3rd week of Oct & stopped to talk to the woman at which point their dog, which was on an extremly long leash & actually looks like a wolf, attacked my ESA dog, who was harnessed & leashed, this attack was unprovoked. That dog ripped my dogs nose open by the time I got them separated & went back to my apartment. I called the vet he stated to hold pressure on the wound if the bleeding did not stop within 5 mins to bring my dog in, if it stops & swelling starts to try to ice the area. So, I never spoke with them again but I did turn the attack into the apartment management as well as the High Point Police Dept. I also caught the attack on my Ring cams that are attached to my balcony. I have over 120 videos of these people letting this dog out off leash to use the bathroom, as well as this dog visciously barking, growling & hitting the sliding glass door everytime someone tries to walk by our building with their dogs or even other tenants who live in this building coming home getting out of their cars & coming into the breezeway this dog just goes crazy.
In November 2020 a new management company aquired this complex & I have not only made numerous complaints to management but to the police department as well & have sent all video footage. I have documented proof from my cable/internet provider that this man was spliced into the box on the side of the building into my cable/internet, which I had fixed, They now have started jamming the signal to my cameras which I have documented proof of that from Ring. This man has since now started to harass myself as well as other tenants including a 69yr old lady, Dec. 1, 2020, who he cussed out while she was pushing her wheelchair bound husband into their apartment, 3 buildings away which I also have video footage of, because this man’s dog was off the leash and started to run up towards her building. He had his friend on Dec 2, 2020 key the trunk of my car, video footage proof, then run from our building. Then on Dec 3, 2020 himself & his friend were throwing things up at my balcony & cameras. He himself was caught on video picking something up out of the parking lot & throwing it up at my cameras. Everyday this man will stand outside while walking his dog & yell obsenities up at my window calling me names as well as saying other things. This situation has made me physically sick to the point I can not sleep, if I try to eat I can not keep it in me. I report it to management & nothing. I report it to the police they do not even show up any more they tell me this is a civil matter & needs to be handled by apartment management.
I’m at my wits end.
Karen says
I informed my landlord that I broke my knee and am now on crutches. He is responsible for the snow removal at my complex; however, neglected to remove the mound of snow in front of my entrance. I can’t shovel, and this is preventing me from safely leaving my apartment. Is he responsible for this or only parking lots and sidewalks. Also, since I informed him that I am disabled, isn’t it his responsibility to make sure that my rental is safe and accommodate my needs?
judy bug says
Hello, I am 69 and live in an over 55 apartment complex. On Dec 1 my friend and I and my little dog were walking to the mailbox. As we were walking up the sidewalk to turn into the building this lady who has two big dogs who are very mean. One dog she had to get rid of attacked a little puppy and killed it. I had asked the mgr of the apts how is she having two big dogs here he said that cooperate approved them. I looked up the code for vicious animal and it is consider a vicious animal if the animal tries to attack un provoked . Both are . over the height and weight limit . Anyway as we came up to turn into the building her dog started growling and pulling at its leash and was trying to get my little dog. I was struggling to get my dog up and in the confusion I fell over this metal lining that was sticking up out of the ground about 4 inches. in one spot and that is what I tripped over. It was a long metal piece that aligned the sidewalk and the shrubbery. I fell really hard. I am still bruised.. I hit my chest and shoulder. and my head. I am now having headaches my shoulder and back are killing me I did go to the emergency room on Dec 3, I could not cough are even have the hiccups with out severe pain in my chest area. The ER took xrays just said I had just bruised my ribs and not my lungs. Here it is the 19th I still have bruises and still can hardly get around. I went to the ER a second time but I didn’t get very good treatment because they were so packed. I didn’t even get into a room are anything they had a dr going around to every one asking why were they there I told him I was having trouble breathing and I still felt bad. He then said well we are just taking in serous injuries. He said you are gonna be sore after you fell. I was so angry I felt I was profiled. so I just walked out. He didn’t even listen to my chest are my blood pressure wasn’t even taken. I got angry and then he called me over to sit in this chair and I just got up and left the second time. I been in bed wiht my injuries ever since I sent an email to the apt manager. No response at all. I need to have a follow up with my injuries. I took pictures of all my bruises I took a picture of where I fell too. I have two witness’s my friend who was walking with me and another neighbor who seen me fall. See the thing is in 2017 my friend lived in the apts too and she fell and broke her jaw out on the sidewalk. She was to weak to come home so they put her in a rehab hospital and she caught pneumonia and passed away. I never did find out where she fell at .The place where I tripped and fell is right by her old apt. I am gonna see if I can find her son’s phone number to see if that is where she fell. Thank you for letting me tell my story. I am just wondering if I can sue my apt complex which is managed by a management company.
Donald says
I am currently renting an apartment and I was told that I would not have to pay a deposit if I clean the apartment up myself upon moving into the apartments I noticed that there was squatters the apartments and the deal was struck between me and the owner. I was playing security guard in exchange for a deduction in my rent. I had successfully gotten quite a few squatters to stay away from the apartments but they just kept coming my landlord refused to make the deduction in my rent because he had struck a deal with some people who are living in an apartment and they didn’t pay him so he told me that even after putting in the work on the other squatters that he would make the deduction because the people who had moved in who didn’t pay him that I didn’t know about we’re staying there. Then he told me that if they would pay at least half the rent to pay could stay there, then he backtracked and said he never told him that they could stay there. There are people whom he knows is doing illegal activities here and because I was playing security guard the tenants who I engaged in the legal activity have started a rumor about me that could possibly get me harmed. People have technically vandalized my car by smudging things on it. When I paid the rent this December 5th 2020 I informed him that my sink is backing up, there is mushrooms growing out of the walls in my kitchen and there is mold in the cabinets because of a severe water leak when it rains or snows. I just notified my landlord today December 19th 2020 that the sink is still backing up and if he doesn’t fix it what I have to pay him January’s rent? Also there are a number of apartment units that are completely unlivable and Transit drug heads frequent these apartments daily and even through the night which is very clearly unsafe for me and everyone else living here. I am disabled and on social security and because of my limited income it is difficult for me to find a cheap place to live I sleep with a bat and a knife just in case someone decides to invade my apartment.
Annette Creel says
Just bout a week ago my landlord had my mom’s car towed off the property we rent the tow truck driver said it was cause we parked on the grass? He said go ask your landlord he parked on the corner so I did, I asked him why you having the only vehicle I own towed he had a gun in his lap I seen out of the corner of my eye he pulled the gun up at my mom and said pay your rent. so it wasn’t about parking on the grass it was him being mad cause we had gotten a little behind in rent since the covid-19 I lost my job drawed unemployment you can ask the previous landlord who rented us the house who we rented from for 4yrs I was never late or missed rent that whole time this landlord took over the beginning of January 2020 we were totally paid up for the year until March and the covid-19 hit and the struggle was real I didn’t start getting my unemployment for 4 months or so after losing my job! Also are bathroom has black mold in it cause the roof used to leak real bad he put a new one on! But the AC unit went out in May he told us to get window units he was buying a new AC unit well ac units/heating unit are together we have no heater we heat this place with oven and kitchen stove and he is aware of all this! We have no driveway never have! He trying to evict us and I’d like to know what I can do about all this please and thank you!!! And this is a landlord in Kansas City MO!
MS says
One of my neighbor’s is constantly working on his car every day, causing a lot of noise, oil stains on concrete, gas and fumes are released in air which eventually makes its way into residents apartments. I have a brother with special needs who has serious respiratory problems, I myself have asthma, And other residents i know have asthma too. We have told our landlord many times, he tells the individual to stop but he never listens, and landlord does not take further action. We always have to close our doors due to smell, and can never rest during day due to noise. I feel this is a danger to people around us and the environment as well. Is there something that can be done? Thank you.
BebonyJadeG says
Currently I live in Kentucky in an apartment complex whose lease included a drug and crime free addendum, required to be signed by every tenant. New neighbors moved in May 2020 and immediately started violating laws, first by parking in the handicapped spaces without proper license or placard. They have been reported to management and ticketed and warned by both complex management and local police to no avail. They routinely slam their doors as hard as they can, verbal harassment, that include implied threats of harm and have started smoking marijuana that comes through the vents into our apartment. We have health problems and their actions are a direct violation of the lease. Local law will not prosecute 1oz or less. However, the least makes it clear that it is Federal law that controls, regardless of local or state law. They have been repeated reported to the complex management as well as to local police. The local police refuses to do anything and complex management has refused to do more than offer a warning even though the lease specifies that eviction is the remedy. We have resorted to buying body cameras, installing a ring doorbell and having to invest in a medical grade air purifier. We still have 6 months on this lease. Can we withhold part of our future rent payment, if we give proper notice along with proof of purchase, to cover the cost of these steps we have had to take to ensure our safety and health to allow us to continue to live in this space? Our landlord refuses to take action and won’t even respond to our calls and emails. Can we file suit seeking to break the lease, without penalty, and with all prepaid rent returned, since the landlord won’t enforce the lease? What are our options.
Lashell Washington says
Yes I writing in regards too me being assaulted outside my entrance door do to the door is always jam.i went to use my fob to get inside the security bldg I live in but I couldn’t and my attack broke a glass bottle across my face.the door being jam is report to the manger over and over again and they say the fix the problem 39 mins later its back the same way.
Ms. Abused says
Since May 2020 I have been mentally a physically c harmed. There are now detectives involved u have burned lungs I have to have a brain MRI because of this substance in here. Landlord won’t even return calls. Or the main office. Can’t get help everyone is friends or family. I’m on disability with no money to move.
Melissa Gold says
Hello. I am so sorry to hear that you’re in this situation. It sounds like you need someone who can help you navigate negotiations with your landlord or figure out a way to find a safer living situation. The Center for Arkansas Legal Services is a non-profit organization that provides free legal services to low-income residents. Please consider contacting them for assistance. Be well.
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Lashell. I am so sorry to hear about this and I hope you’re doing okay. Yes, the landlord has a duty to keep the premises safe, and that would include making sure doors are able to be opened and closed properly. It could also include things like a security system with lights, alarms, gates, or other things that can prevent intruders from having access to the grounds. A landlord can’t prevent all humans’ behavior, but they can and must ensure that residents are safe from foreseeable harm. If you were attacked, you can make a report to the police. With respect to the landlord ignoring the problem with the door, you could inquire to your state bar association for resources for landlord/tenant law in your area. Best of luck.
Treen says
Hello.. I live in Oregon and have a agreed apon court order to vacate Wich happen while we were in faze 1 in our moritoriem. Going forward and I had 3 months to move I’ve payed up until Jan I am sapost to leave by the first but as soon as it came time for me to make my money to move my last month we were in extreme hi risk everyone shut down.. is there something I can do to postpone my date or can the sherriff still lock me out . I can’t move due to this and not have a place to move.. the reason for my court order was due to an un ruley roomie they knew about but 2as not on the lease and when he did damages and did things that were not alound on my lease I tried to get him out but could not.. so I could not fix the problems in the 14 days giving because he was sqauting in my shop basement any ways I’m at a lose on what to do at this point I’ve been trying to do everything by the order but this is out of my control thank you for your time. Treen in portland oregon
Nikkolai says
I have been being harassed by someone (unsure of who this person is) they will hit on my windows late at night and I’ve had to call the police early in the morning due to this person coming onto my back porch and causing my motion light to go off. I have reported to my landlord twice and he comments maybe I should move out for my safety and that that is not a landlord concern. Please help. These incidents keep getting worse and worse and I’m afraid for my safety.
Amy says
I rent a house that has a concrete platform with 4 steps going out the front door. Prior to moving in it had a wooden deck over the top of this platform/steps but it was removed due to mold from the sitting water that puddles up on the top of the platform (it is not a smooth, flat surface by any means).
My question is…. is it the responsibility of my landlord to put a railing on the platform and going down the stairs. From the top of the platform it’s about 3-4 foot to the ground. I also have a 1 yr old grandson who lives with me and I’m concerned about possible future accidents if one is not put in place.
LaVerne says
I am in Richmond, VA. I have been in this apartment for 4 1/2 years. Back in May 2019 things started happening in my home. First, on Memorial Day I was off from work. That day was the day for the past control people to come. When I left my home I did not have any bugs or ants there but when I got back there was a colony of ants coming from behind my stove. In June my sister was here and I was at another home watching kids. My sister texted me when she got in from work and told me that a rat had run from the patio door and into the utility closet. I live on the second floor, no stairs just a balcony. I reported it to the rent office and also mentioned the ants. And in October, my daughter and fiancee were here. My daughter left out to get her car straight before they got on the road. The fiancee was with the baby in my room. He heard the door open and went out to talk to my daughter only to find some guy in the living room. Ha asked him who he was and he stumbled over his words saying he was maintenance and then the pest guy. He was the maintenance man. I spoke with the office manager and he talked very smart and short with me telling me to call the police. I did and I told her about the ants and she said that that sounded as though they were planted there. I noticed that my underwear were missing. He was stealing my underwear. In February last year my dad changed the lock. 2 weeks later I get home from work and one of drawers was sitting on the floor in my bedroom. It was as though he was saying I may have changed the lock but he can still get in. He’s been coming in doing things and stealing stuff. I reported everything to the office managers and nothing has been done. He has tampered with my daughter’s vehicle and let the air out of one of my tires. He also hacked into my ring, the doorbell camera. I had 3 cameras and he wasn’t on neither one. I was told that he was using a device to block them. When my daughter leaves out in the morning for work, he comes in while me and my grandbaby is sleeping. He always does something to let me know he was there like rearranging things, doing something on my balcony, etc. I have been talking to the police and showed pictures if some things he’s done in my home. Nobody has or is doing nothing about this situation. Not the office manager nor the police. He went in my dirty clothes basket and ripped holes in my underwear. MY DIRTY CLOTHES BASKET!! Really??!! I told one of my brothers and he said that’s maintenance and I told him yes. My daughter’s fiance gave me a description of him and I told the office manager and they said that nobody fit that description works there. Lies! I’ve seen him around. He came and did work in here before he started doing all this crazy stuff. What can I do?
Mitchell says
I’m curious to know if this situation at my apt complex that happened about 4 months was legal or not. My neighbors upstairs have been intentionally making noise to upset me (I won’t get into the details yet). I yelled. They called management and reported hearing people screaming from my unit. Management called my phone twice by I hadn’t checked my phone until after 24 hours from when they called.
The next day they were knocking on my door. I never approached the door if I don’t know who is coming to visit me. Also, this was around the time when systemic racism was heated #BLM, George Floyd’s murder, Asians blamed for COVID (I am Asian). After a few minutes of knocking on the door, I hear a drilling in my door and then the door unlocked. The property manager and 4 police officers came in and interrogated me asking why I didn’t open the door. I explained what happened between me and my neighbor and apologize for yelling. The property manager explained that I did not respond within 24 hours, and that they had to make sure that there wasn’t anyone dead in my apartment.
And that was it. Everyone left, and nothing else ever happened. I’m over it now, but at the time I was shaking like crazy having everyone there surrounding me in a circle. I would like to know if they were within their rights to break into my apartment because of a noise complaint and that I did not respond within 24 hours. I’d appreciate any insights. Thank you.
Jluv says
I’ve been in this apartment for 4 1/2 years. Things started happening back in May 2019. First, ants were planted behind my stove. Before I left out that day I had no bugs or ants in my home. When I got back, three they were like a colony of them. My sister was here while I was away and she texted me telling me that the patio door was cracked open and a rat ran across the floor and into the utility closet. Rat traps were put down but no rat caught. My daughter and her fiance were here for the weekend. On Monday a.m., my daughter went out to get her car serviced before they got on the road to go back to Delaware. The fiance was here with the baby. He heard the door open and went into the living room to talk to my daughter only to find a guy instead. The guy did not knock nor address himself before entering. When he saw the fiance he was surprised to see him. He was stumbling over his words. He was the maintenance guy. The fiance told him that he can do what he needed to do. The guy quickly left. He wasn’t expecting someone to be here. My daughter called me at work telling me everything and gave a description of the guy. When I got home from work I called the rent office after receiving a smart email saying that I refused to let the Pest man in. I told them what the fiance said but they didn’t believe it. They believed the lie that the maintenance man told. I gave the description of the guy and was told that there was no one working there that fit that description. LIE. The office manager got smart and told me to call the police. I did and when she got here I told her everything including about the ants. She said that it seems that they were planted there. I have a report. Then other things started going on. My underwear were stolen, things in my bedroom were rearranged, water was put in my peroxide bottle, my peanut butter was played in, a wire in the refrigerator was taken apart, cooking utensils were stolen, I have a collection of bear figurines and over half of them were stolen, towels and washcloths stolen as well as soap…so much has happened in here by that guy. I called the rent office and they did absolutely nothing about it. I had 3 different cameras and he somehow got in anyway. I was told that he was using a device to know if a camera was present. Back in February 2020 my dad changed the lock. A week later it started up again. I’ve called the police numerous times and nothing was done. He’s still coming in here. No matter what I do he still gets in. When my daughter leaves to go to work he comes in while my granddaughter and I are sleeping. He always do something to let me know that he was in here. He went through my dirty clothes basket and put holes in my underwear. MY DIRTY CLOTHES BASKET! He’s marked my walls with plastered and paint. I have pictures of everything he’s done. He stole the paper with the code to my Ring camera. I told the office manager and the police that I had the address of the individual and neither of them did anything about it. Every time the police came they just looked at me as though I was crazy and didn’t know what I was talking about. My brother came to visit and when I told him what was going on he said that’s maintenance. I told him I thought the same thing. It’s been so much he’s done I can’t write it all. I was afraid to leave my home. My daughter was like I shouldn’t allow this to stop me from going where I need to go. My sister in New York, who was a cop here in VA. told me what to ask the police officers to do but they refused. If I was financially able, I would’ve been gone. I’ve been out of work since the last day of school back in March when Covid 19 started. What can I do?
Angela M. says
I signed a pretty unofficial year long lease in NYC with my roommate (a friend I had trusted at the time) and the landlord (who happens to be the roommate’s friend). Two months into the lease, I discovered the roommate was engaging in illegal activity involving drugs. They were also planning to open up a bar in the basement, during covid-19 lock down, which is when the arguments began. I had verbally objected to the actions of my roommate to both the roommate himself and the landlord. When I notified the landlord about what was going on, thru text, they wound up screen-shotting the conversation and sending to the roommate, which resulted in the roommate threatening my life via text. The landlord proceeded to tell me that this was an issue between the roommate and I and that she would not get involved. I am at a point where I have gotten all of my belongings from the apartment, and am now living with my boyfriend out of fear for my life. In my eyes, and the eyes of some officials I have spoken to, the moment I involved the landlord, with her essentially ignoring the situation and keeping me at risk, the “lease” she had written up was broken. I am in fear of her bringing me to small claims court as a result of me moving out and refusing to pay under these circumstances, and am hoping for some advice on my situation… and some peace of mind that I am doing the right thing.
Iesha says
Hello ,
On August 25th my youngest son of two 5th birthday around 10pm shots begin to fly all through a home I was renting. Over 10 shots into my home with me in my two sons as we hid for cover in fear I called my grandmother and the police. The police arrived later. Took some photos asked some questions. They then called someone from victim services who did nothing they didn’t bring an ambulance they didn’t interview my sons they just dropped us off at the hotel that I had to pay for when I got out the cop told me oh we think we found the guys your neighbors got it on camera and they bragged about it on snap chat. the next day I called victim services to see if they would come pick us back up as they had promised but no nothing instead they told me since it wasn’t a domestic violence situation they couldn’t help. I had only been in the house for 7 days exactly I moved there August 18th 2020, on August 25th 2021 this happened. I stayed in the hotel and then had to find another hotel because the first was to expensive and I didn’t have a car I was traveling by Uber and lyft. The lady from victims services informed me that the car that was used to do the shooting was picked up in the next morning a few houses down from mine they let the person who was driving the car go. So then the police met me at the house to get a few things but said that’s all they could do going forward I called my management they played phone tag with me for a couple of days then finally agreed to move me to an apartment less than 4 minutes down in the same “ Apartment complex that rent these houses “. So I agree because I’m a single mom I don’t have any money and I have my two sons with me. So I move in this house i couldn’t sleep I couldn’t eat i cried and watched over my sons thinking these people we would find out we are only a few minutes away and I was scared literally for me and my kids lives so I called the management and asked if they had somewhere else in another location at least not 4 mins away were people are talking about what happened and can easily harm us. They denied me this the next day I got a uhaul packed a few things we had with us from when we left the first house and drove away and my life is literally still crumbling my kids are behind in school I’m literally afraid of everything I don’t know how to talk to my kids about what happened because I don’t know or what happened I just know these men tried to kill me and my kids for no reason and we were treated like oh well you didn’t die. Today I still don’t know why they did this I had met one person there which was a lyft driver. I was attacked in this renters property we lost literally everything documents clothes shoes our whole life everything I have worked so hard for as a single mom . Till this day me and my kids are still homeless and still trying to figure out everything then this rental property has a nerve to send me a bill for over 20,000 for throwing the things out the apartment, the rent payments for a whole year of my lease after I was only there for 7 days and attacked witch machine guns. This is outrageous I don’t know what to do. I feel stuck I’m literally crushed in the inside I don’t know what to do next. Trying to remain strong. Some advice will help.
LISA V RANSOME says
I have been renting a mobile home for 10 years now, it was a new mobile home when I moved in. Over the past 10 years I have had to deal with water that smells like rotten eggs and it leaves my tubs , toilets , and sinks dark brown. I have to buy expensive cleaner to get them.to where they are at least a light tan color. I can’t drink the water but I have been using it to cook with, I have a very small filter unter the house which my landlord has made me pay for fitler replacements. I went from replacing the fitler twice a month to now once a week, because it clogs up so bad that we have no water coming into the house. And he says he disturbed the well weeks ago when he replaced the pump. I have explained to him many times that is not the case cause I have discussed this with him over the years about how bad its been getting. I also told him it was his responsibility to replace the filters and that having that much iron and settlement in the water was not healthy. He told me it was just fine and that if I wanted water I would replace the fitlters or just remove it and not use it. Can he do this ?????
Crystal says
I live in the back of a huge older home. My landlords live in the main area 4/12 months.
I have complained so many times about my slippery back steps, I’ve fell numerous times and have many guests slip and fall as well.
Recently, the landlords hired a construction crew to add-on to bathroom that is adjacent to me.
The construction crew are using these back slippery steps and I’ve already had two men fall.
I asked the landlords to please have them use a different route to reach their work area, and my landlords went way crazy on me and basically told me that I don’t have a choice. These workers have also set up their work-station on my back porch against my wishes.
Eventually, my landlords put up a half of a railing which helps, but people are still falling. The landlords now say that this is not their property and that I am not allowed to use this area except for an emergency exit. My landlords are very intrusive and have entered my apartment 3 times without giving me any notice. I hate confrontation with these people and have no idea what I should do.
Tom says
My car was involved in a hit and run while parked in the parking lit of my apartment building. The person who hit was not a resident of the apartment complex so they should not have been parked there as they are not authorized. There are signs in the parking lot stating that it is private property and that all unauthorized vehicles will be towed. Previously I notified the landlord that unauthorized cars were parking in the lot and nothing was done. There was not communication sent out to residents to remind them to have their company park on the street. Now my car has been hit while parked in the parking lot causing thousands of dollars in damage. I asked to have anew spot and I also asked what will be done to insure visitors do not park in the lot. I have gotten no response. Is there anything I can do?
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Tom. I’m sorry that happened. There are a few things to consider, here. First, it sounds like you know who hit your car. If that’s the case, then you can file a police report and a claim to your insurance company. That would be the most direct way to recover damages. However, with respect to the security of the parking lot, you’re correct that the landlord has a responsibility to maintain a secure environment. If you’ve provided notice to the landlord that there are unauthorized people using the parking lot, then they should be preventing that from happening. If the landlord is ignoring your concerns or failing to maintain a safe environment, you can contact a landlord/tenant lawyer for assistance and guidance. Best of luck.
marianne lincoln says
i live in a federal senior building. my neighbor, who has bad eyesight, was cleaning his loaded gun in his kitchen and the gun went off and the bullter came thru my kitchen wall and then my living room wall, while i was home. police came and took his four guns out of his apartment. i am tramatized by this experience. i cant sleep , i could have been killed by the nine millimeter bullet if i was standing in the wrong place. the bullet shatter utensils in had in a crock near the stove where the first bullet hole was and shatter a couple of utensil and curled the metal on a metal spatula. and i had to clean up sheet rock and shards of the utensils that got hit by the bullet. the property manager is making a claim with the housing owners. can i also make a clain with the housing owners? the neighbor had given up his drivers license months ago. the management failed to take the guns away from him. which endangered all who live here, plus the gun was loaded. can i file a claim?
Melissa Gold says
Hi Marianne. I’m very sorry that happened to you, but grateful that you’re okay and were not injured. It would seem as though this hinges on whether or not your neighbor legally owned the guns. If he had a license to own the weapons and each was properly registered, then there’s probably not much legal recourse. It sounds as though this is more an issue to be handled by law enforcement than the property management. However, if you still have issues, you can contact a landlord/tenant lawyer for more information.
Morgan says
I moved into a nice part of the city in Houston which is hard enough to believe about 4 months ago and specifically chose the location due to its compliments and security and taking care of residents and given that I’m new to the city I don’t know anyone here at all is I’m from halfway across the country I don’t know anyone outside of work so that was important. I’m a complete introvert but I’ve made every effort to say hi start conversations with people and so on unfortunately after a few hours of conversation with someone they decided that somehow we were something and began with harassing texts then calls then threats I didn’t engage I figured I’d wake up to the I’m sorry I’m your drunk new neighbor as he had just moved in a couple weeks ago but instead of followed escalated exceptionally quickly to not only calling the cops on me but also friends I spoke with my property manager ask them if they had any advice because I wasn’t sure if this was going to escalate or how quickly but that I didn’t feel comfortable taking my dog out anymore I didn’t feel comfortable using common areas anymore particularly because this individual can see into my home from theirs and has made that abundantly clear that he’s looking she said she would look into it she didn’t have an answer I didn’t know if I was going to file any kind of police claim or anything because again this is new to me and I don’t need to poke some crazy bear if it doesn’t do me any good but I wanted her to be aware that something’s not right I don’t know where this is going to go That was about 36 hours ago and my actual property manager who finally replied to me yesterday I told them I would be seeking police involvement but before I spoke with them or did anything I needed to get some information first My property manager did not want to speak on the phone however this is now again escalated into him calling the cops lying about every little thing and so far the law enforcement interactions I’ve been a part of have all acknowledged his intoxication level on different days at different times and that something is not right and it’s been kind of written off and now somehow I find myself not even on the defense but my property manager who didn’t want to talk to me on the phone wanted me to come in before 6:00 p.m. then calls me at 8:15 p.m. and So I gave him a brief run over the last few days and how I don’t know how this complete stranger went from a conversation to calling me babe to harassing me beyond the definition of the word again I understand their limitations but his response was calling me a liar and I have never felt so spoken down to criticized It was horrendous and demeaning and somehow I ended up walking away from this conversation where I’m simply telling you this person has issues I’m going to the police I’ll give you that info expecting a basic company kind of response But instead got the most condescending reply to where I have proof on my phone I’m not worried about what this person saying except for you clearly have no concern about that and now somehow I am being made to feel at fault and bad and he’s asking me to send him the conversations He’s asking me to write out a statement and it took me a bit until after I got off the phone to realize how uncomfortable that made me I knew in the moment and it was weird and then it sink in and I don’t know what’s happened He initially said someone had called and filed a complaint on us when we were barbecuing And now all of a sudden he’s telling me that never happened No one called It was just coincidence that the security officer heard the music there’s no way I’m sorry that was so low It’s not even funny So that doesn’t add up at all But now you’re asking me for information that I don’t think you should be asking for and you’re calling me after hours and you clearly have an opinion in this matter and we haven’t spoken at all and you’re calling me a liar So I have done nothing but be nice I have been nothing but a perfect tenant I pay my bills I don’t create issue The issues I’ve created are asking if one of the managers knew this person because they were the only ones at the pool and my sunglasses were stolen I don’t need to know who they were but if you do and you feel comfortable somehow approaching them about it and I can get them back awesome otherwise enjoy my expensive sunglasses It is what it is to a maintenance worker entering my home illegally I call the property they say they’re going to pass it along to come up and check it out to make sure that it’s a false alarm No one calls me back They then say they never got the call that I said it shows someone’s in my home right now I’m at work I don’t want to call the cops I don’t think someone’s in my home but my cameras are not in my main room right now because my animals need to be kept separate can you please have someone just go up and look Oh yes we can They say they never got the message The woman on the phone said there were no open records there was no any requests nothing and there wasn’t and then all of a sudden about a week later the mail property manager says there was one for the stove being on and that’s what gave them permission to enter however I didn’t call maintenance ever about myself Never not once and the call that he’s saying occurred was 5 days prior to this maintenance worker making his emergency entrance into my home to see if I’ve left my stove on. I explained to him I showed him my alarm I showed him my phone no such call happened No one came in my home that day and regardless you’re saying you’re whoever didn’t pass along the message to the office at all Then you’re saying that this maintenance guy was responding to an emergency call that was filed five days prior to his actual entrance about a stove being on and now you’re telling me too bad so sad what a horrible mix-up for you calling in Well I didn’t call in and I never got a response I never got an apology despite asking for one how are we going to make this right? No reply. I just moved on Okay whatever My alarm is officially set And I’m sure as heck not going to do you any favors and not call the police or not just let my alarm system do it for me. But now I have this person who is an actual threat or at least trying to be and clearly angry with me over I don’t even know what already concerned about how my previous mix-up occurred I’m now being called a liar and being put down I’m being belittled and I don’t know what I’m dealing with I don’t know what’s legal what’s not I don’t know what they’re allowed to ask for and what they’re not and there’s too much information online for me to weed through it but after I got the call from my property manager I feel like I am so far beyond unsafe it’s not even funny I don’t know if he knows this guy personally even though he’s only lived here a couple weeks or if he’s just an angry person himself but my security is not being taken seriously at all and he’s asking me really personal information about my home and my conversations with people that I don’t feel he needs an answer to as a property manager if I’m going to the police because I know I’ve got a harassment claim but I’m also going to file for a protective order at this point because this escalated quickly and aggressively and I don’t know where crazy stops even if crazy doesn’t have all the light bulbs on and you’re clearly on his side you’ve made that abundantly clear so I felt unsafe taking my dog out going to my car parking in the garage before and now I don’t even feel like I have my property managers back nor do I even feel like he’s being honest with me about anything at this point and I don’t know what to do with any of this someone had mentioned that this is horrendously inappropriate and arguably illegal and I’m just trying to find out first and foremost how can I make sure I’m safe I can put all the locks on my doors I can put an alarm in my home I can have cameras in my home but I can only do so much when I take my dog out telling him to leave me alone isn’t working now he’s bothering my friends and somehow my property manager is very much on the side of this two-week resident and not mine at all calling me a liar I don’t know where to go from here because a short conversation has now turned my world upside down and over a few days and I clearly don’t have the backing of my property and I didn’t expect them to back me up I just expect them to be aware and if an official charges place that requires him not to live here anymore well that’s not my problem I’m not the one that went crazy but obviously that’s not what my property manager is going for and I don’t know if it’s just to demean a woman because he can or what but there are too many question marks here and he’s giving me two different stories just on who called security or if someone called security and this is now the third night I’ve stayed up all night because I can’t sleep I don’t know what I’m supposed to do I don’t know what rights I have I am a very quiet person I just want to do what I do and come home and now I don’t even want to do that I don’t even feel comfortable in my own home not even behind the locked door and I don’t know what’s legal and what’s not and I need help I need advice I need something because this is not right And this guy is not going to stop being crazy and I don’t understand how this is all okay and how I’m being blamed when no one has all the information and I’m happily offering my phone to the police I have nothing to hide except for me because this is becoming beyond just concerning or alarming.
Lewis says
We rent. Unfortunately no renters insurance. Will be adding it to my policy.
We had a bad windstorm in January and a tree actually broke in half and went through our upstairs bedroom. Causing a lot of damage to personal items. Most of my clothes and shoes had to be thrown away and my dresser was destroyed. Along with lamps and fans. My question is would my landlord’s insurance be able to help cover my belongings?
Also my landlord didn’t have a license company come out to repair the damage to roof, ceiling, and walls in the room. So now I’m concerned the room isn’t properly fixed. There are actually cracks in the ceiling downstairs now and some upstairs. I was told carpet would be cleaned. Which she did herself. It was raining all night and the hole in roof wasn’t covered for over 6 hours. So couldn’t the carpet be ruined? Also all that got painted in the room was to ceiling and little spots over the holes that were made from impact of dresser and another from part of the tree breaking and hitting the wall. Is this the correct way to fix the room?
We have previously had issues with this tree for the last 9 years. She even had a tree trimmer service come but we still had huge branches fall off. I even mentioned a few years ago that the tree needs to come down and got scolded by her.
Bil says
I live in an apartment building with my son. my ex has previously hurt me many times and falsely called the police on me 6 times and once on our 11 year old son.
She has now applied to the building management to move into the building next door to mine (both buildings under same management) I am very afraid that she will either physically hurt me again or falsely call the police again.
I brought this to the management’s attention BEFORE the lease was signed and made them aware of the potential danger in writing. the management did not care. is there anything I can do to stop the move? If she does end up hurting me and/OR falsely calling the police on me or my son again due to proximity, can I hold the property management liable for damages?
Barb says
When my daughter and her partner returned to their kansas city mo apartment after being out of town for a week the kitchen and dining room had standing water and food particles due to plumbing issues from upstairs neighbor. This included water with food pieces in their pots and pans, casserole, mixing bowls etc in the lower cabinets, all cleaning supplies under kitchen sink were ruined and water had seeped underneath the oven, dishwasher and all lower cabinets and laminate flooring. They requested a mold removal cleaning company to do clean up but property mgmt sent their regular make ready cleaning people who didn’t even pull stove out to remove water under and behind it. The countertops and cabinets are buckling and warped with obvious water damage, none of the cabinets, flooring or sheet rock were removed. It’s now been 5 weeks and the smell of mildew in that area is overwhelming. Both my daughter and her significant other have been dealing with headaches, upper respiratory issues and general not feeling well, their cat had a severe asthma attack and had to be treated with oxygen, meds and overnight vet stay that resulted in $1200 vet bill. They purchased a mold test kit which no surprise indicates mold. When meeting with property manager again asking for professional cleaning services they were told they could either sign off on any further repairs, move to other apartment or break their lease and they have 2 days to decide. None of these options are acceptable to them. Moving would mean coming up with new deposits and moving expenses, not to mention packing an entire 2 bed 2 bath apartment all the while both working full time and temps in kansas city at this time are in single and negative digits with ice and snow. Do they have any recourse getting their apartment cleaned and repaired where it’s safe and healthy living environment?
Pixie Dust says
I almost died of a heart attack, from a burner that went up & caused black smoke. Of course, they tried to blame me, but water does not cause black smoke. While, I was in the hospital, there were, at least, five people, in my apt. 4 were illegal & one was my daughter. She stole a good many book. A disaster was made & I was blamed for that too. The one maintenance had to be in, he put out a fire Arson. I tried to get help, but was laughed out. The fire marshal told me, If the police don’t do there job, report them. The property manager stole my identity & charged fraudulent claims. Now, there is a huge sink hole, in back of our apts & the do nothing. Mold, in my rugs, also soot, & haze, throughout the entire apt. It took six police reports to stop the break ins & I barricade. My health is declining.
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Pixie. I am so sorry that this is happening to you. It sounds like this is a complicated situation and there are several factors involved… dangerous or unsafe conditions, fraud and theft, and other issues. My suggestion is to find a landlord/tenant attorney who can help.
There’s low- or no-cost legal services available through Pennsylvania Legal Aid, or you can contact the state bar association for additional referrals and resources.
Brooksie A Smith says
Son and daughter-in-law’s apartment flooded from 3rd and 2nd floor. San Antonio and surrounding areas are under freeze warnings.
We have contacted management and maintenace came and shut water off. We have no lights in the apartment as well.
They stand in their car for warmth due to traveling restrictions.. Hotels were full and could not secure a room until 17th. On site management are not doing due diligence for our safety with another apartment so not to incure a room. We live thirty miles from one another and with no power to apartment the alarm is not active. The apartment is unsafe from water damage, no heat , no water to bath and flush toilet. Let’s not forget COVID19. PLEASE GIVE THEM ADVICE. I suggested 📞 local news. Thanking you in advance for a response.
Mrs Annoyed says
I moved into a condo owned by a private landlord where I had a 1 year lease. They are slow to respond to maintenance concerns as I have had to deal with several water leaks in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry area. I submit all of my request in writing. But on this particular issue I noticed a water leak and after chasing my landlord via text for 12 days to check it they found mold inside large sections of the walls. He transferred me to another unit because they needed to replace several large sections of the walls as a result and some other items surrounding the area where there were various leaks. He has not given me a lease for the new address. He has threatened to raise the rent on the new unit and has been very aggressive anytime I call him about the transfer of my security deposit to the new unit and the lease. I am no longer happy leasing from him as he is very difficult to communicate with and says he did me a favor by transferring me. I have already suffered through numerous issues in the other unit even prior to the discovery of the mold some two include documented respiratory issues.. My questions are what would be the status of the lease on the old unit and my security deposit since the mold issue occurred mid lease and I had to move to another unit through no fault of my own? What are my options to move out of the new unit that has no lease?
Josh says
There is another tenant living in the home with me that is on a separate lease that has threatened me with physical violence while screaming about am inch away from my face. The police have advised that I can press charges for threats of bodily injury or file a restraining order with the count courthouse. Should I allow my landlord the chance to evict before filing the restraining order as I have C-PTSD from an abusive childhood and do not take threats lightly.
Andy T. says
How abou your neighbor smoking in a smoke free building and the landlord not acting to stop it my doctor put me thru some tests a nd my breathing has been compromised from exposure and also my sleeping ,
Letizia says
Hello from Massachusetts,
I moved to my current apartment a year ago. It’s a community of approximately 18-20 condos that essentially look more like town houses, 2 side by side in each. My landlord owns the vast majority of them, including my unit, and the neighbor that had viciously attacked me this past August. Backing up a bit, So very shortly after myself and 5 children moved in, it was very clear that this one particular neighbor and her boyfriend were not good people to live right next door to. Certainly not out of bias or prejudice. It was obvious due to the cops being dispatched to the property at least 3-4 times a week. Whether it was because other neighbors called them due to fighting inside/outside, (verbal/physical) destroying and vandalizing neighbors vehicles, threatening and physically assaulting other tenants, drug and alcohol use and distribution, dcf showing up for the children, etc. The landlord was well aware of all that was going on with these tenants, as a couple of the condo association board members reside within the community as well, so of course between them, and some of us other tenants, he KNEW just about everything, yet did absolutely nothing to stop any of this from happening. My children and I kept our distance, and tried to stay far under their radar. Unfortunately, that did not work. I’m assuming I was their newest target. And when I say I Never did nor said anything to this woman to deserve what came next, I simply cannot stress that enough! This woman is high and drunk most of the time. Which seems to be when she would just out of the blue, and at the most random of times fly off the rails, and begin verbally or physically attacking people. I myself had to call the police on her and her boyfriend a few times due to them threatening and assaulting my 15 year old son during an argument. Nothing came of it. The officer’s response to this was, “shit, this one again, we’ve been coming here for many years, and honestly are sick and tired of dealing with her” If you can even believe that. Another time, she had tried to lunge at me after I had knocked on her door simply to discuss a matter between our children (parent to parent) in the utmost respectable way. Turns out there is NO “Talking” to this woman. She lunged at me before I could even get a sentence out, and her 16 year old son had to grab her and yank her inside the doorway. Yet again, I call the police and file another report, nothing happens. I communicated ALL of this with our landlord, sent him copies of all police related documents from all incidents. His response to it all was, “she’s crazy” and “she’s impossible to deal with” etc. Literally Nothing to help at all. I expressed my concern of safety for my children and I, and Nothing! One day, after arriving home from a nice weekend in the Cape, I’m pulling into my assigned parking space which happens to be in front of her unit. Before I could fully pull in, there she is walking toward my car yelling some drunken mumbo jumbo “does your daughter have a problem with my boyfriend” is all I heard, I kindly responded, “I’m sorry, I have no idea what your talking about as we are literally just getting home from being gone all weekend” that’s all I could get out before she began to viciously attack me through the drivers side window of my car. I hadn’t even had a chance to put the car in “park” yet. So she is attacking me standing up while I’m sitting in the car (3 youngest kids in the back seat) my foot is still on the brake, and she beat the ever living hell out of me through the window. I was completely defenseless. With a set of keys in her hand, she begins punching me repeatedly in the face, head, and neck. Slamming my head and face against the sill, I mean I can’t even explain in words just how vicious and unexpected this was. Went on for about a minute, until someone had pulled her away. My 3 kids are in the back seat crying, and completely horrified. I’m bleeding all over the place, managed to roll up the window and call 911. I had to refuse to go in the ambulance as I certainly was not leaving my children there near that lunatic! It was determined on scene my nose was broken, amongst a possible eye fracture. Cops came, took my statement, she was not arrested!!!!!!!???? I immediately called the Sergeant at the station, and asked why on earth she was not arrested, and explained all that happened. Turns out the part of her having “keys” in her hands while attacking me was left out of the officers report. Came back, since she wasn’t outside, they couldn’t arrest her. Absolutely absurd!!!! She was arrested later that evening for breaking my living room window. Hit it with something, the entire window shattered right next to where one of. My kids were sitting. Went to the ER later that evening, had X-rays, yes my nose was broken in a couple different places. I had to see an ENT doctor a week later once the swelling went down, and have it corrected in office. This was the absolute most painful and traumatic thing I have ever experienced in all my life. Most people opt to get knocked out to have this done. I’m a single mother of 5, and don’t have the luxury of that choice. So criminal charges are currently in the courts process.I was granted a abuse and harassment prevention order from her in the meantime. Now again, told my landlord what happened, sent copies of police reports, photos of injuries, er visit papers, and ENT doctor documents. NOTHING!!!!!!!!!! Literally, Nothing! Until I reached out to my local housing authority and requested to move, and sent him a request to terminate my lease early due to extreme SAFETY concerns. Of which he by the way would not agree to and sign. I communicated back and forth with him, asking him WHY the hell he wasn’t taking any action on this woman. He then said he needed my “help” to get her out of there, whatever that means? I told him that it is his DUTY as a landlord to provide a certain level of safety and security for his tenants, and that HE certainly had all he needed from me to get her OUYT! This went on for months, of him giving me the runaround. Eventually, a couple months later, he tells me that she is being evicted. A month goes by, she’s still there. He said she was supposed to be out by XXX date, and hadn’t yet left. Eventually, 3-4 months later, she moved out. However, the landlord told me she was being evicted, come to find out, he actually gave her the “Option” to move out on her own, rather than evict her so that she wouldn’t lose her section 8 housing voucher!!!! Bottom line is, that vicious attack that completely traumatized the hell out of my children and I, could and should have been PREVENTED had he done his duties as a landlord the first few times I reached out regarding safety concerns, as well as several other neighbors expressing the SAME concerns to him about the couple. Not to mention, my nose will NEVER look the same cosmetically. I certainly cannot afford a cosmetic surgery. My self esteem went down the toilet that day, and stayed there. I have flashbacks of the attack as well as the in office corrective procedure to internally try and move the bones back in place. I have random head shakes throughout the days, and myself and my poor children live in FEAR! PTSD across the board in my household. This happened in late August of 2020. Ive recently been thinking about how and why this landlord gets to get away with Negligence?? So I guess my question is, do I have grounds and/or a reasonable and fair Case to sue my landlord? If so, what type of case is it? I’m not sure if its personal injury, because this wasn’t some slip and fall accident. Please, if anyone reading this has any information, and who knows the Law in regards to the facts stated above pertaining to the state of Massachusetts, I’m kindly asking you to reach out to this post. Any guidance or information will greatly help. Thank you kindly for taking the time to read this. I appreciate it.
Justine says
Death was on my heels throughout all of 2020 mainly because of a negligent property manager/landlord/company. As if lung disease amid Covid19 wasn’t bad enough, but then that company and their representatives consistently made staying alive damn near impossible for me. I’ve lost years off my life because of them and I need my justice. Death is STILL on my heels. This isn’t some stupid idea to get rich quick or make bank – I’m losing my life, I won’t even be around much longer for my kids much less extra money but I do need to reimburse ppl I borrowed money from as a direct result of the negligence of that property owner. No amount of money could replace an avoidable loss of a VIPs life. I might be a nobody to the world but I’m somebody to my kids and my own family and other loved ones. I’m devastated and one day my kids will be too.
I’ve been looking for an attorney for months now.. Time is of the essence mainly because of my health.
This isn’t about money for me. This is about making the right choices, not violating another person just because you can, this is about having courtesy for others and when you know someone is dying, try lifting them up instead of putting death on them even more, it’s About a lot of things.
I don’t want this to happen to anyone ever again. My main goal is to ensure this doesn’t happen to anyone else. It’s bad. It’s traumatizing. It’s consuming. It’s taunting. It hurts in more ways than you can imagine. Unfortunately.
I need some legal advice. Actually I need an attorney that can be a voice for me until I’m strong enough to handle it all myself.
If you have any advice, ideas or guidance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Thank you.
Sheila says
We currently have arrears for 1.75 months. I paid full amount this month and a seperate one for arrears. (Covid hardship) were Working on getting caught up. She was working with us on rent nicely, untill one day she just started acuseiing us of something not true with verbal abuse. (This is landlady)Trying to throw us out.(out of retaliation)Even in sub zero Temps. There is NO written lease. We do NOT take advantage, just fix things and try not to bother her. everytime I ask her about anything she is real vague ie:parking. I just informed her that my “assumed” spot in the yard is all thick mud. She told me to “Take a blow truer to it” & “It’s called weather”, direct quote! She has been so rude and unprofessional its causes me direct turmoil.. my kids get coverd in mud as do I when leaving house. Iam worried about premature wear on my suspension componits, rust and other issues moisture like this will cause.
CAN I deduct 2 car washes per month from rent? Or how ever long the conditions are like that.. Normally I’d only get 2 a month. But now I need one every 7 days.
ALSO our front door is real old. Plexi glass one pain window that can be easily taken out. No dead bolt either I’ve informed her about the safety concern. She said when we’re caught up on rent we can talk about it. I said ok because I didn’t think I could ask anything of her since we owe.(or we try not to be a bother) Her other tenant (who dwelling is REALLY close in proximity) is also a convicted theif, domestic abuser, also had lost her own kids, she is also rude and accuses us of all sort unfounded crap.. to landlord, were peaceful ppl and mind owr own business.
We live in a single family home.2 kids mom and dad. With no parking. The above tenant in the tiney house next to us has a driveway, could have 2 to 3 cars and 3 road parking spots, won’t share. 1 person residing.(Unfounded dramatic bs I know I can’t do anything about that)
Can I ask landlord to provide us with a safe door? If we owe arrears? Iam actually concerned about the door and damage to my vehicle? Thanks in invance.
P.s It took all my courage to tell her about the mudd issue. But i dont want the liability of having to fix the mud ruts And my car. I genuinely thought she care about her yard. But nope.
Maddhatter405 says
My inside climate control with gates and a app to get into place storage unit got robbed and they have a sign and promote 24 hr Surveillance and they can’t or won’t provide video can they be sued. Really tired of this place
Paul Winters says
A tenant has been physically attacked and injured by a person residing in the same apartment complex. The attacking resident has many multiple of times over years been reported for unprovoked iviolent incidents against the tenant, incuding vandalism and outrageous annoyance or nuisance. Owner members and their security agent admit they are aware first hand of the violent resident. The owner has not allowed alternative housing or any real safety measures for the victimized tenantvwhile they say they are “addressing” the issue while and the owners refuse to convey what basic measures they’ve been taking for the victim rotection; they say that what they’re doing is “confidential.”
Now, the tenant suffer from an unprovoked physical blow to the body. No return calls result from calls to the owner,
Delilah M Holmes says
My landlord sent me a termination notice on March.4, 2021, stating we had to leave by April.4,2021. Her reason, too much law enforcement involvement. Under her advice, we notified police because our vehicles were being vandalized. There are 5 other units in the building but only our vehicles were being damaged. Police wouldn’t help. Instead, they encouraged the landlord that this was grounds to evict. Our car alarm would go off, that was a nuisance but another tenant doing drugs & drinking alcohol nonstop is allowed to keep residence. This to me is not right. This same tenant was high/drunk & allowed his sister’s dog he was watching escape & bit my 8 year old. Once I informed the landlord, I received notice to vacate. I’ve never been late on my rent. Paid every month. My husband is on disability. They claim he’s a nuisance. He’s bipolar/manic depressant, has asthma & is a Type 2 Diabetic & I’m hearing impaired. We notified the landlord of our disabilities. We had the Sec.8 voucher. She refused to accommodate. This is a HUD building. I’m looking to fight this but I know she’s has the upper hand due to her employment with the town’s deeds office. I seriously need help in this matter. If anyone can help me, I would greatly appreciate it.
ELIZABETH says
I bought and moved into a Florida foreclosed condo and am wondering if the people who lost it was exasperated enough to just let it go.
An upstairs condo owner opens his windows or goes onto his balcony and makes our lives unsafe bc we quite smoking over 20 yrs ago & they smoke the worst Skunk Weed ever! At least once every two three hours he’s blowing his gagging smoke out of his condo into ours. One time his hallway was so filled with smoke you could not see down it! Rumor are there a a couple on the same floor across from each other who leave their doors open when smoking the stuff. Association put in Freebreeze outlet plug ins. I think that was rediculous to cover the problem instead of fixing the problem. I know it’s legal to use but at my cost to enjoyment snd health? Second Gand anything is not good. That’s one reason I quit so no one would be hurt by my actions, that and my own health. Now I have his problem. His coughing wakes me all night. Hacking and coughing like he should be on oxygen. Help? Advice? Can my association be made to do something? Please email my answer? I can not find you all the time.
LMD says
I moved into a new apartment complex a year ago and I selected it from all of the others in the vicinity because of the security features it promised. Since moving in, the security gate has been broken, and left open at least three times a month, often all night long, at times for a few days at a time. The security gate, is left open almost all the time. I live by the pool in the building and people from all over just… walk in. Rowdy, loud, and rude until all hours of the day and night. They party, they scream. There were screaming children in the pool area until 3:00 am two days ago loud enough that it recorded on my phone from my bedroom. I am two stories up, and behind the air conditioning units. There is no security here. There are kids who are always attempting to steal wifi, and my front door is not the most secure. It is loose, rickety, and can be pushed open if it’s not closed carefully. Their way of “fixing” it when I complained was to tighten the bolts. There is an insect issue, which is common, and intrusive, no matter how many times I have treated the apartment for bugs. I pay a lot to live here. I am not in a position to move at this time. How do I hold my landlord responsible for the repairs to the gate, and the constant security issues?
Jane Doe says
Right now, it is so difficult to write this review due to the anxiety and frustration I am dealing in regard to being exposed to a current health risk in my apartment dwelling during the Covid Pandemic. Someone dumped a filthy large carpet of an unknown origin on the patio of my apartment this past weekend. It is very concerning due to the fact it could be a source of potential infectious disease since there are new highly contagious airborne variants of Covid spreading in the community. My son who I share the apartment with is immunocompromised therefore at high risk to contract Covid and develop severe illness. The carpet is also an attraction to vermin such as bugs and rats. It is very troubling that this incident was able to occur on my patio area, I contacted management to investigate how something like this occurred and to have it safely removed.
1) I was informed that it must have accidently blew over a balcony from someone’s unit due to high winds. However, it is a large carpet and why wouldn’t someone in the building claim the carpet if it was an accident? Is there another reason this carpet was disposed of in such a manner? Why was there not a notice to tenants about such behavior? I do know the carpet could be a potential source of exposure to disease.
2) I was informed the only way to remove the filthy carpet was to have staff take it through my apartment or hire contractors that I would have to pay to remove it. I overheard a staff member state if I don’t like looking at it then I need have them take it through inside my unit. What does that mean? Is the property now a garbage dump? The dumping of this filthy carpet is not just an eyesore it is a health issue for the whole community.
3) We do not under our doctor’s medical restrictions expose ourselves to anyone outside of our household coming into our apartment unit during the Pandemic due high risk for Covid. Since we are awaiting to be vaccinated having staff come into our unit to drag a filthy carpet dumped for unknown reasons is a health risk we can not take.
4) There is another way to remove the carpet from through the outside of our patio by lifting the mesh of a fence on the side of our patio and taking the carpet off the patio without entering inside our unit.
However, management refuses to do so without risk to our health or telling me to hire a private contractor to do so. This is not my responsibility as a tenant. We are supposed to feel safe and protected dwelling in our apartment unit. If this behavior is acceptable then why can’t management have their staff use the apartment next door to go through their outdoor patio and remove it through the neighbor’s apartment?
5) Management also informed me that they will have staff come into my unit for preventive measures to change and clean filters for our HVAC unit so at that time the carpet could be removed by taking it through the inside of my apartment. Due to potential airborne Covid risks associated with air circulation and ventilation we do not turn on or use the HVAC system in the summer or winter, therefore there is no essential need to have contractors to change filters and risk potential exposure to the new highly contagious and deadly B117 variant circulating the area we live at least until we are vaccinated.
It is my understanding since there is medical documentation provided by the doctor that one of us is immunocompromised with several underlying medical conditions that makes them high risk of contracting Covid and acquiring severe illness qualifies a disability? The doctor told my son to self isolate, avoid contact outside our household and any possible exposure to Covid. I also qualify as high risk, yet my son has an extreme health risk to Covid. Therefore, I isolated to also prevent Covid exposure for my son and myself. Doesn’t the landlord have to make accommodations to address these safety and health issues? Are any of management’s responses or lack thereof discriminatory?
The disregard to our documented health risks and concerns, insisting to have staff bring the filthy carpet of unknown origin (a potential source of disease) laying in the dirt and bushes through the inside of our unit, not investigating where the dumped carpet came from or how it was thrown on my patio, the fact that management is willing to let this dumped filthy carpet which is now habitat for vermin sit in my patio area for days during a Pandemic is distressing and it seems particularly discriminatory with unnecessary duress to us.
I have had relatives, including my mother die from Covid and I was hospitalized for Covid earlier during the Pandemic last year. I know the impact of this disease and suffer lingering affects.
Right now, I am sincerely hoping the documented medical restrictions of our doctor will be considered and management can resolve this matter our impacting the safety and security of our residence in this apartment community. What would be the legal guidance on this matter?
Kai says
At my old apt complex a tenant attacked me they evicted me and the other girl , But this is the thing ,I had nowhere too go with this virus no apts available never the less I started packing, Maintenance came into my apartment and stole my jewelry & And my dead decease dog that of course I had creament….Call the police boxes where in front of the patio door front door No focus enter at all , I asked for there information from there insurance company if think they give it to me then I’m dying , What a damn shame out of everything my Decease Dog !!!!!
Kitty says
On March 13,2021 I was sitting in my personal garage which is located in my apartment community. I was talking on speakerphone with a friend. I noticed a very tall man coming into my tiny garage – tiptoeing along the driver’s side of my vehicle. I recognized him as someone who lives in my building although I had never spoken to him before. While sitting in the driver’s seat, I turned my head to the left to see what he wanted. He held out and pointed a pocket sized digital camera (not a phone) at my face, through the closed window of my car and took my picture. At first I looked directly at the camera and then up to his face. He’s at least 6’5″ tall. I’m 4’10”. He hurried back out of the garage. I jumped out of the car and followed behind him, shouting “excuse me! can I help you with something!?”, at least 3 times, each time louder and louder. He continued to walk quickly to the apt. building and ignored me until the third time when he turned his head to the left and said something to dismiss me. He then quickened his step and hurried into the building. I reported the incident to the Leasing Office 30mins later. I was told days later that he also verbally abused another woman sitting in her car that evening. That woman’s boyfriend knocked on the “Creepy Camera Guy’s” door and asked what he had said to her. He denied it. The boyfriend submitted a complaint with the Leasing Office the next day. Later that day, the Community Manager called the Creepy Guy and made him aware that 2 complaints had been made. He denied everything. Now, The Company that owns the complex has sent him a “Disruptive Contact” letter and that’s it. It appears unless he commits another assault he will suffer no recourse and the women who he has assaulted will just have to live with knowing this guy lives in close proximity and will not be held accountable. How is this possible? and what else can I do to ensure my safety without having the cost, time and effort of moving to another location? and why should I?
Melissa Gold says
Hello, Kai. I am sorry you’re in this situation. If your belongings were stolen, you can call the police and file a report. If you believe that the landlord is responsible for the theft (they gave access to your apartment to someone who wasn’t authorized to have it, for example), you could file a personal injury lawsuit for your losses (including your dog’s ashes and your jewelry). Depending on the value of what was stolen, this might be more appropriately handled in small claims court. You can read more about filing a small claims court action here: https://www.enjuris.com/personal-injury-law/small-claims-court.html. Good luck – I hope you’re able to recover your belongings.
Silvina B Irimia says
Hi, I’m a landlord. My tenant drove into another apartment one night, she says her breaks went off, I’m pretty sure she was drunk but anyways, her car insurance is expired and the HOA wants to make me responsible for it. This has nothing to do with my apartment or with fact that she is my tenant. She is an individual who crashed against a building. I don’t think this relates to the fact that she rents my place. Should I be held responsible for it? Thank you so much.
Dylan says
In my apartment, we have had 5 bats flying around our apartment and one was dead in our air vents. Our landlord got this fixed by drilling plywood into the holes that were in our ceiling. He then asked us one night to remove a bat that was in another one of his tenant’s apartments. I feel like some legal action could definitely be taken about this. Any thoughts or recommendations for how to handle the situation.
Sara Maucieri says
A few months ago, I had an altercation with a fellow tenant. He told me to “shut the fuck up” when I confronted him about thumping on my wall and playing his music so loud my walls shook. I told him to say it to me directly, rather than hiding in his apartment, and he attempted to kick my door in as well as tried to break my window. I mentioned the incident to the property manager and she declined to address the problem and also implied I was at fault. Can I pursue legal action against her?
Ian Pisarcik says
Sara,
I would recommend calling the police if you feel threatened by your neighbor. You may be able to file a lawsuit against your landlord if your neighbor injures you or your property in the future. Hopefully you can work with the police and your landlord to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Lauren says
Our complex (in Texas) has large gates that can swing back and forth at the entrance/exit to the complex (there is no other way out except through this gate). The gate itself is not automatic, and is typically kept “secured’ by a thin rope to keep it open and allow vehicles to pass through. We were driving through one day when the gate became unsecured and swung into the road suddenly and hitting our vehicle, causing pretty bad damage. We notified the apartment, and they requested quotes on what it costs to fix our vehicle. After sending them multiple quotes (which show thousands of dollars worth of repairs), the apartment has returned and said they will only pay the deductible of what our insurance pays, which we don’t want to do because 1. we don’t want to pay for any of the damage they caused and 2. this will cause our rates to go up in the long run. On top of that, the complex is saying their contract states they are not responsible for damage that happens to tenants property on the complex property. Is this true? I have always interpreted this to mean, if another tenant causes damage to my property, the landlord is not liable, but if the actual complex property is neglected and causes damage to my property, they still need to take responsibility. Am I misinterpreting? Can I pursue legal action against them if they continue to refuse responsibility for their negligence?
Lulu says
I live on the bottom floor of basically a duplex. The tenant who lives upstairs came banging on my door screaming at me that she saw me at 3am creeping around her car and that I busted her windshield ( she had no busted windshield that I saw) I decided to stop arguing with her and went to pull my screen door shut, she ripped it open tackled me to the ground on my living room floor and assaulted me. I pressed charges and we’re going through a court battle. The property manager never once called to see if I was ok or asked if they could do anything after I repeatedly told them that my kids and I are traumatized and terrified. Originally I was told she was going to be out by 4/1/21 then I was told they gave her a 30 day extension and im now being told that she won’t be moving anytime soon. My children and I are constantly in fear and I had to buy security cameras and still don’t feel safe. She tells me to call the police if I feel unsafe. The tenant who assaulted me moved her boyfriend and his 2 kids back into the apartment upstairs and none of them are on the lease ( the property manager herself told me this) which means he hasn’t had a background check done on him. We are both section 8 and section 8 keeps telling me they have to follow the landlords process for evictions. The eviction ban doesn’t apply to breaking your lease or committing FELONIES on the property. The property manager told me that I can move but I must replace the USED carpets that were here when I moved in if I sant my security deposit back. I shouldn’t have to move and I shouldn’t have to live in fear constantly. I feel like I’m being discriminated upon. I literally can’t find anyone to help me figure out what to do or what I can do. I feel as if they’ve been completely negligent, not even calling or coming over to see if anything was damaged or if we are ok. The least they could do is to offer a more secure storm door in more locks or SOMETHING!! Do I have a case against the property management company and owner?
Dr. Kim Yarbrough says
Our apartment management company has decided to install security cameras in common areas because there have been too many problems over the past year, but when I asked our on-site manager who is monitoring our security services she said she could not disclose that information. Don’t tenants have the right to know what company is providing security services around our residences?
Ian Pisarcik says
Generally, landlords have control over the common areas. I’m not aware of any law that would require a landlord to disclose the name of a security company monitoring a common area short of turning over the information in a lawsuit.
Summer Smith says
Over the past few weeks, two neighbors in my townhouse complex have been harassing my special needs son and myself almost on a daily basis. When it isn’t my son being harassed or bullied by their children who are a few years older, I have come under fire when outside on my own property. The problem further escalated when my one neighbor (we will call her A and the other who lives two doors down from me B) came to my door shouting at me, calling me names and threatening my son. I came out onto my front step and attempted to diffuse the situation, and asked her to leave calmly when she would not desist. I turned to go into my home, when she spun me around by grabbing my shoulder and repeatedly punched me in the face 8 times in front of other neighbors, children, and my special needs son, who completely lost control screaming and crying. Furthermore, my landlord watched this happen and did nothing about it. She has actually been watching this all happen over the period of a month and continually escalate. I called police, but they used neighbor B as a witness and she claimed it was a mutual fight. It was by no means a mutual fight. Police did not press charges but told each of us to stay away from each other, not to talk to each other and to keep the peace.. For a month after, neighbor A stayed away and kept the peace but her daughter continued to taunt my son, calling both him and I names. Neighbor B has everyday since the assault glared at my children and I, stared us down, and made life increasingly uncomfortable for us. Her children continue to call my son names and defame me to the rest of our townhouse complex and surrounding neighborhood. I have never felt so alienated in my life. A few days ago, her son was out with my son and my immediate neighbors next door. Next thing I know my son is crying so I rushed to his side and learned the son of neighbor B had pushed him down and kicked him. I brought my son inside and was going to remain inside for the duration of the evening when neighbor B came to my door with neighbor A and a new neighbor. They called me names, alleged drug use in the home by me (they had done this previously as well), called me unfit to be a mother, and threatened the welfare of my son and myself. I called police again, and told the incident that had occurred prior, as well as what had just happened. I added that we had been ordered to stay away from each other. I also showed him a list of events and dates from the time of the first incident until present. He spoke to the neighbor, but again nothing was done. Later that afternoon, neighbor B was back at it…..she accused me of yelling at her daughter, and continued to call me on and defame me with her words. Again, my landlord has done nothing about any of this. I am a tenant with severe mental illness, suffering BPD, anxiety, depression, and complex PTSD. My son is high-functioning autistic, ADHD, ODD, and suffers from separation anxiety and PTSD.
Monty says
My daughter was renting and the apartment complex in TX and the maintenance people entered her apartment without notifying her. She wasn’t home but when she returned she was terrified because there were holes in her walls all furniture moved her carpet placed outside and she was never ever notified. She has been emotionally traumatized and has since moved out. They let her out of her lease and I’m still waiting for the check for the early move out. My question is can I sue for pain and suffering and should I.
Denise says
What if it’s the landlord I rented a room in his house and so many people in and out night and day alot of theft and people doing what ever just walk in or sneek in the basement window cause the broke it never fixed it so many things now condemned and I can’t even get my own property out of the room I rented now homeless
Jenn says
Hi- my family rented a home in Az. About 2-3 weeks ago, fire erupted and we lost everything. Rumor from FD was possible faulty wires behind one of the walls in our extra bedroom where the fire supposedly started.
Rewind eight months ago possibly nine months ago. We found out that we had a Maggitt infestation up in the roof of the ceiling or rafters whatever, in the home. Contacted the landlord or should I say property management company, she reached out to the landlord who had a pest control company come and spray the next day or two. Approximately two months later again we were still seeing maggots. Also during this time the foundation throughout the whole entire home, has cracks in every single corner where your flooring reaches your ceiling in every room. You could literally have some cracks that you could see outside to sunlight which not only causes concern for that, but also screwed us when it came to utilities.
The property manager had to reach out to the landlord again, they had to have the construction crew come and seal the cracks. They’ve had to do that two or three times. I do not think there was an actual “fire department member who came for inspection after that. Since the foundation had been disrupted, from what I understand in order to have a rental the homeowner has to have the home “inspected” from the fire department to sign off at the home is ready to be rented again. That didn’t happen.
All of the repairs let into the year of 2021. Probably finished repairs in late February maybe March actually I think it was March.
So between the Maggot infestation and all the cracks in the repairs multiple contractors have been in and out of the home up into the roof in the ceiling.
When the fire started we were told it started in the roof. Then we were told it started from a spare bedroom from wiring behind the wall. My question is there could be a possibility that because of all these contractors up inside the roof, doing these repairs, they left a wire hanging and it just took its course and started the fire.
The fire started a little after 10 PM and by the time everything was all said and done, it was definitely after midnight. Approximately an hour and a half later we received a termination letter from the landlord that was given to the property manager. The whole home is completely destroyed and within seven hours, not only did we not have a place to stay, we cannot take any of our things, I have two small children, a four-year-old and a five-year-old, we had nowhere to go. Within seven hours they had moved every single thing in that house of ours. Piled it in a room and started doing repairs. They took out all the appliances, we lost all of our food. They didn’t even ask us to come and get the food. They moved everything from one room to another and just piled it in a pile horrible pile, we had no clue this was happening.
We didn’t get notification until about two days later to try to go out and get our things, which we don’t have a place to live so we don’t have a place to put our things. We are missing things now, we cannot find our laptops, we cannot find some jewelry, they have moved all of our stuff again to another room, the repairs are being done and we still have nowhere to live.
Is there any type of negligence or is there any type of assistance that The property manager or the landlord should have accommodated or helped with considering the situation as far as not having a place to go and not telling us about our things, and not to let us know that within hours they were already starting repairs. They were already in the house going through all of our stuff. We had no clue any of this was happening, let alone that we were devastated still and we’re homeless. And unfortunately we had just ended our renters insurance so ya, none. But still-you can even get evicted and be given so many hours or time frame whatever to come and get some things or if the lease is terminated you’re still able to get some things. I mean our stuff was just literally throwing, salvageable things were just completely disregard at four. We can’t find anything, they bag things they stole things obviously because we are missing a ton of things and yet none of this was communicated with us. We got the email that it was terminated, and basically like I said, within seven hours people were there moving things around in that home.
Just wondering if there’s anything that can be done thank you
Ian Pisarcik says
I’m sorry this happened to you.
I would recommend reaching out to LawHelp Minnesota, an organization that provides free legal help. In addition, you might want to consider reaching out to Minnesota Housing, an organization that helps people find temporary or permanent housing.
Maggan says
Our new owner is a slumlord violation against every single rent control law. Tenant law, retaliated and threathening, caused unsafe living area, unsafe living environment etc etc. Now he has allowed giant scam corrupt fraud development next door to destroy our building, caused major health problems, and now allowed life threatening hazard created by construction and approved by involved building and safety inspector and disaster can happen at any time without warming. And no LA city dept want to help us stay safe and enforce any violations or laws. We tried everything they are doing anything to get ride of us before we expose everyone involved. We need protection now?? Where do we turn?
Jenna says
Hello I’m in Oklahoma and looking for an apartment. One management company has informed me there is a $15 liability fee included in rent. This fee is not for renter’s insurance or the personal and property liability I carry with my insurance company.
This fee covers property damage to the unit and building that I’d live in. If I damaged the property the insurance I paid for with their $15 fee would cover the costs instead of the management company making me pay out of pocket. (Even though my liability insurance covers me in a lawsuit for this very scenario). Is that legal or even standard to pass this cost to tenants? Wouldn’t the management company be insured for property damage? Most condos have a master policy paid for by the building owner I thought.
Kk says
My friend came over to visit and was followed by 2 cars of ppl, she got a lil worried when the pulled in to my apts behind her, she pulled into handicap parking which is pretty far from my place and out of her rearview window watched as both cars passed her so then she just figured she was being paranoid, she turned off her car gathering her items phone purse and was getting out of her car when she noticed a man standing there with a gun pointed at her head the guy told her to give him the car keys, phone and wallet she did not know if the gun pointed at her head was real, loaded or what. To hopefully quareente her safety she did all he asked her to, he then got into her car and drove off she ran to my place in hysterical yelling open the door hurry. I open it and she said I was just robbed at gun point they took my car. Money phone, we called the police they came out did a report said they were going to view the cameras and contact the property manager to view the property cameras, but they never did and I get home late from work and never have a place to park unless its up and around back 4 apts before mine, there was some activity going on when I came home and was alil scared to park that far away and walk so I drove to the front of my apt and parked I was going to move it 1st thing in the morning and over slept woke up to a ticket on my car while the other cars had warnings.
Toomie says
My service dog was attacked by another tenant in the complex. She didn’t bark, bite or attack. The other tenant tackled my dog, put her in a headlock and as a result she got scratches from her head & chin being hit. The property manager sided with the other tenant & advised he had a right to protect himself. My dog didn’t touch anyone, however the agressior admitted he was not familiar with dogs & because of the breed, he opted to hurt my dog before he was attacked. My dog did not attack even during the time the neighbor wrestled her. The neighbor has knocked on my door and I’m afraid to open the door or walk my service dog I want to move out and the landlord indicates I need to give notice. Do I have any recourse? I want to mow asap
Al says
I am a young adult living in an apartment building on the fourth floor. Our downstairs neighbor (on the third floor) has been harassing us. It started by her just banging on the door aggressively but now it has progressed. She jams metal pieces into our lock and has speared condiments and sticky goo on our door. Even further sprinkling glass pieces over the mess. We have pictures of every incident involving our door. She comes at night normally. Our building has been in construction and they have finally caught her on camera doing this. We have called the police two times for these incidents. They have done nothing about it so far. The most recent call to the police she was only given a fine.
What more can I do? Am I able to ask to move to different apartment? Any advise please?
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Al. I am sorry you’re experiencing this. Yes, your landlord should be taking responsibility for your ability to live peacefully in your apartment, free from this person’s behavior. I would first contact the landlord (in writing) and make a complaint about what’s happening. If you haven’t already, document each incident with date, time, and what happened. It’s helpful that there’s camera footage showing her tampering with your door. You can absolutely request to move to another unit in your building, and the landlord should provide that to you free of charge if there’s a comparable apartment available. If that doesn’t solve your problem. If you ever feel unsafe or as though she might cause imminent harm or damage, definitely call the police each time; they need to have it on record. If you can’t get assistance from the police or your landlord or apartment management, you should contact a landlord/tenant attorney. You can use the Enjuris law firm directory to find someone near you who can advise you of the options in your area.
Marie says
So I live in an apartment when I signed the lease the move in date was one day and when I came to move in it was not ready. They told me they needed a few more days. I agreed to it. I stayed in a hotel. Came back on the day they said it would be ready. Oh my. It was not clean nothing. At this point I would clean it myself. So I did cause they told me they needed another week. I could not do that. I had already turned the lights on in my name and they were using my electricity. I was told they would compensate me never did. Then one week into the lease yes one week. Things start breaking. Dishwasher ran once and never closed again. Stove worked to cook one meal oven works when it wants to. I have put in multiple work orders. They all said complete but they never did them. Oh the list goes on and on and on. I am sick of it I need advise I am eating out every night I can’t cook in my home I have broken Windows my bathroom ceiling is broken with water damage. For over a week. Nothing gets fixed. Bathroom and kitchen sink both leak causing damage. Man I can keep going for hrs.
Annette says
My previous rental management company (changed 3 months ago) tried to illegally evict me. I had to get Fair Housing involved. After a few weeks of emails between a lady at FH and the owner of the management company, the eviction was dropped.
During the email process with FH, my neighbor (in the connecting duplex) called FH, asked for the lady (by name)
involved with emailing with the owner (of my rental management company) and stated that she wanted to make a complaint about her neighbor, meaning me. She said that her neighbor didn’t deserve disability and was living, with her caregivers, for free on Section 8.
There were ONLY 3 people that knew I had a case with Fair Housing and my neighbor was NOT one of them. My neighbor was on really great terms with my Management Company. They were they only ones who could have told her about FH, my income status (I am on SSDI) and my rental status (how my rent gets paid).
They also had my neighbors install a security camera installed so, they could report back to the management company who comes and goes from my place.
Do I have any legal recourse for my former management company sharing my personal information with my neighbor?
Thank you
Tee says
Im dealing with multiple issues in my apartment building and with the manager including retaliation, harassment by the apt manager. I am also being approached on the street and bullied by the bar owner who owns the bar below my apartment and using her bar for drug purposes during overnight hours when the bar is closed. I am being harassed by the bar owner for making a noise complaint to the same property manager as the manager of my apartment building. Its clear that the property management company is having financial issues and cant afford to hire cleaners. I slipped in the stairwell on mayonnaise and hurt my right hip about 3 weeks ago. I did let the manager know and she stated she was sorry that I fell. The noise complaint I made 4 months ago was regarding very loud slamming from the bar and goes on for more than 12 hours a day on a daily basis. I could deal with it during BUSINESS hours of 3-10pm wed-sun but NOT from 10PM until 9AM every single night from the bar owner and male family members sleeping in the bar to keep watch over their ” product”! The bar owner is harassing me because of the noise complaint and i have videos of her friends approaching me on the street. The initial retaliation by the apt manager has been happening since I moved in 4 months ago and she is upset because I called her boss to ask why I was being charged 714.00 on the day I moved in and was never mentioned during my rental application process or on ANY of my lease agreements. Had I not had 714.00, I would have either been homeless or had to stay living with an abusive partner. The manager is retaliating because I called her boss. She is and has been refusing to fix the maintenance issue in the bar (slamming) as retaliation and when ive begged her to fix it in many emails, she suggests I ” just move”. She is creating situations for me to react to so she can write me up for non compliance, 3 strikes you’re out right? I will have my Dr exam and get a scan of my hip from slipping but am scared at this point to say or do anything that will create more problems with this apt manager. I am also in Portland ore. This entire situation has effected my health, my stress levels, my mental state, my tenant rights, my rights to quiet enjoyment of my apartment and my safety.
Kl. nims says
Someone keeps coming in my apartment. They take things jewelry, $3000, hunting knives out of my collection, SD cards, phones. Every single time I leave. I think it’s my landlord. I also think he’s got a secret gps in my car, I tell him I’m going to visit my daughter and he knows I’m lying and I’m going to Madison. He was up in my apartment doing some work and he wanted a big industrial garbage bag I told him I was out, he went right into my pantry and walked up to the shelf they were on. He takes my keys several days later they show up and next time I leave someone had been in here. When I call the police in so hysterical knowing I’ve been violated he tells the police I’ve got mental problems and they believe it and do nothing to help. I went and got police reports from former tenants for the last 10 years. The girl that lived here had police reports that were nearly verbatim to mine. Charges for molesting his step daughter. In Wisconsin you can sue a landlord for 10k for emotional distress. I do a walk through my every time I know he’s been in here. He just says I don’t know what to tell you I can’t explain it I can’t help with that. What can I do? I told him that every month I know he has come in here I will not pay rent the following month. I’ve paid rent 2 times in 18 months.
Vicki says
I am living in a senior section 8 apt. I have been tormented and harassed since I moved. Housing just told me to put up cameras. There have been people in my apt and they spread feces on my bathroom wall. Neighborhood legal services said they cannot help me. I have made reports everywhere. No one will lift a finger to help me. I just moved in here. They all say just move. I cannot afford to move.
Kenneth Grogan says
I live in a trailer park we had a person in the trailer park put his hands on a person in the trailer park the landlord will not evict him what can we the trailer park do about it legally
Joshua says
Hello,
There has been a lot of criminal activity in my apartment building. Apartment break-ins and theft, vehicle break-ins in the garages, vandalism, and mail theft have all happened at an alarming rate recently. Management is made aware but have chosen to do nothing. No security cameras, no over-night security detail, no lock changes.
The other tenants and I are not sure what our legal options are. We want to write a letter to management and make a rent strike, but not sure how effective it would be.
Rams says
Hi, my dad had a stroke back in November. His landlord put up this barrier preventing cars to enter the yard. I am concerned about his safety because if he called 911, the first responders would have to walk further than necessary and those could be crucial moments to save his life. I’m also concerned about a firetruck not being able to get close enough to the trailer, if it was on fire, due to this barrier. I asked the landlord to remove the barrier for my dad’s safety, but essentially he ignored my suggestion. I want my father safe and not having to worry about first responders not reaching him. Would my dad have to be seriously injured because of the negligence for me to take legal action?
Scared by maintenance man says
I am disabled and use a walker. At times entering a building without automatic doors can be tricky. To get into our apartment Clubhouse, I have to turn around and push against the door with my back. Suddenly our apartment maintenance man became a little too “helpful”. He would hide behind the door and then quickly open it while I’m pushing. This can be quite jarring. The first time I politely thanked him but said I would rather open it myself because it scares me. The second time this happened I was a bit more firm. He doesn’t announce himself and I have no idea it’s him until I turn around. He always has a big grin on his face and it’s very annoying to see someone so delighted by hurting someone… especially a 70 year old disabled person. Just when I thought it was over, there was third time! This time I hurt my back. I got mad and told him he better not ever do it again. The manager watched the whole thing and came out of her office and started yelling at ME; saying that I should be grateful. I told her that the next time it happened I would call the police. I consider this is an assault. Sadly, there was a fourth time, however this time it was a tenant! I guess word got around. Now that the quarantine is ending I’m afraid that it’s going to start again. This is not the only thing that he’s done to me. They are stupid things like putting tiny refrigerator bulbs in my light fixtures. I am unsure how to proceed.
Chloe says
My apartment building has a remote operated gate but no security to watch over it. Management has told us that they expect us as tenants to wait till the gate closes and if someone tries to enter the garage while we are waiting we must confront them and ask if they are residents. If they are not we are told to report them to management. There have been several thefts due to residents not waiting till the gates fully close and they want to fine $1,000 each time. My thought is, why must we as residents put ourselves at risk rather than them hiring a security guard to watch the gate. Is there some legal recourse for this mismanagement?
Dana says
My daughter lives in some apartment complexes and this is now the fifth time that her and her husband’s tires have been slashed. The apartment manager pretty much told me to F off and called my daughter a liar. They no longer feel safe at these apartment complexes because they are young parents and they have a seven-month-old. Is there any legal way of getting them out of their lease?
Tabs says
I have also received a threatening email about not to mess with someone’s money when I’m actuality my funds were being stolen out of my account and is currently under investigation. Also have documents proving I paid for utilities from the start and even if their are no legal documents for me being a tenant it was agreed upon verbally and the lady took my money along with stealing my belongings but even if she is not able to see she should have heard everything I was saying and yet did nothing to help me instead it looks like she was stealing from me and everytime I had a debit card or SIM card shipped to this address it has dissapeared and she has the only access with the mailbox key therefore it has become obvious who is stealing my mail and my belongings. Even if she claims to be blind she certainly can hear what i say and do therefore that begs the question to why she didn’t do anything when I was making these clear obvious claims of harassment and such and how my cards were missing yet returned to me by her. Its fair to say that even if you have a deficit that shouldn’t automatically assume that makes you not liable or not the innocent person you show to others. When behind the scenes or at home you are obviously showing your true colors of wanting to get rid of me to get away from being liable for allowing these things to take place and instead of taking responsibility you fail and continue to speak bad upon others that have no idea who you are while you at all means try to kick me out for calling law enforcement on you. They were fooled by the fake cane that looks more like a fishing rod or a pool table stick to be honest along with I have the right to my own privacy so how you obtained all my information physically and not allowing me to even talk to my friends without the snooping was not right at all.
Tyna says
I live in canada my landlord cut a very large tree down without telling me so i could leave my home while they cut it. the tree was less then 5 ft from my trailer and 100 plus ft tall i was sleeping woke up to chainsaws . can he do that? When i complained he said that the tree cutter man was the best around and noway it would of fell on my trailer
Bug says
My building has balconies with rails and people decorate sometimes with objects balanced on the rails. I look up a lot to see what is balanced over my head to avoid something that could fall while walking underneath. The tenant doesn’t like my looking up at her area but I explained to the manager why I often look up. Am I wrong to be concerned for my safety and I don’t want to be rude to my neighbors. They seem to want to retaliate by complaning about my looking up. What should I do and shouldn’t the apt. manager understand about my concern for my safety?
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Bug. Thanks for reaching out to Enjuris with your question.
I’ll start by saying this: Look where you want. I don’t mean to sound flip, but a neighbor doesn’t have any authority to tell you where you can or cannot direct your eyes. You’re outdoors, in a public space, and you’re welcome to look wherever you please. Including up.
Second, you’re correct to be concerned if there’s an item balanced on a railing that’s above your walkway (or anywhere that you’re permitted to be beneath). If there’s really a risk that an item could fall and injure you or someone else, you should notify the manager. That’s definitely not okay. Even something that wouldn’t normally cause an injury could be very dangerous if it falls from a certain height. Head injuries do happen because of people being knocked on the head by falling objects and your manager or landlord should have a policy of not allowing items to be balanced on the railing if there’s a risk.
If you believe that there’s a danger that items could fall in a place where someone is likely to be injured below, you should put your landlord on notice in writing (which could even be email — just that you should have written proof that you advised the landlord or manager of a hazard) and request that it is removed. Best of luck.
stinger9898 says
Where I live the landlord has blocked all access to internet except for mobile networks and there network and placed massive blocks on there network in some cases even blocking news feeds and stupid stuff like game stop and Firefox can they do this legally and if anyone knows of a good mobile internet provider that would help also these blocks have gotten progressively worse to the point that the internet has almost became completely unusable for anything over a 7 year period to the point you can’t even look up some actors online at all even
Medina says
Hi,
I have a three family house. One of the tenants appears to have stolen a package from another tenant in the building. I realize a police report is needed, but do you know if the police will check with the accused tenant to see if they have the item that is stolen?. I have camera footage of the possible accuser allowed the delivery guy in the hall and who saw the package being delivered..
Katherine says
I rent from my daughter who lives here part time. When she is here she permits access to our home to her schizophrenic daughter who has a history of violent and destructive behavior. While she is here she destroys my plants and is so destructive in the bathroom that I cannot leave any of my things in there. No towels, shampoo, toilet paper, etc. She has threatened me physically. She has recently started trying to get into the refrigerator and take my food (I’m on Food Stamps). She has had extremely violent episodes outside that frighten the neighbors.
This situation developed after I had lived here for six or eight months and was not the case when I moved in. When I complain to my daughter, she threatens to evict me.
Ohio says
I recently rented a home with my husband and 2 kids. I wanted to view the home in person since the only way to view before was on FaceTime. Our agent has been wonderful. However, when we arrived there was still a sewage pipe the size of sink that had not been put in the ground, the driveway still tore up and then the inside. The floor in the breakfast nook slants down towards the ground, the bedroom floors slant as well. In the kitchen their were cigarettes behind the new stove. Baseboards missing and nails hanging out. The basement , a completely horror sight and with mold. The stairs or house? Is being held up with a porch pillar and two poles.
Here’s the kicker, while speaking with the agent my kids were running around, picking things up… my 1&1/2 year old finds a razor blade and sticks it in her mouth. When the agent (who mind you has been very pleasant to work with) was asked if the place was clean, he explained the owners only required a “sweep clean”… just vaccum, wipe counters, and sweep. When asked if he thought the house was clean, he said “absolutely not. “ he said he would hold it if he had to use the basement toilet.
I’ve now had nightmares of my child getting hurt and also the back of the house falling off because of the slant .
We didn’t have a choice in rentals due to financial circumstances, but we should still be allowed to live In A safe home wherever we go. Is there anything else we can do on our end? ( lease was signed prior with deposit). We were only told of the city corrections of the driveway and porch repainted. What legal rights do I have? I didn’t take a picture of the razor I should have but I have SEVERAL witnesses .
Experienced Tenant says
I have the same issues now where I live. I have a relationship with the local police, who do what they can. I speak to them often. I am on the third floor right above the parking lot. The police told me it’s ok to make videos with my phone. Although this can be another inconvenience, I have been video taping when ever I can. I can then zoom the pictures and get license plate numbers. We have really crazy behavior in this parking lot. I was not prepared for the loud lack on inhibitions of some “guests” and residents. Also, there are people there who should not be there.; I have suggested to the management that they put up a sign in the parking lot, asking people to be aware that residents are nearby. There has been improvement, but I had to be consistent and stay on it. Of course, my identity is never revealed. I have an on going case number the police have me.
Experienced Tenant says
If this were me, I’d have taken photos of the car in your spot. My policy, after decades of renting, is to never confront a neighbor or another resident in person.
Ian Pisarcik says
Thanks for the comment!
Ian Pisarcik says
I can’t say with any certainty what the police will do in this situation. I would imagine they would speak to everyone involved (i.e., the accused and the accuser). If you have video footage that might help, I would recommend turning it over to the police.
Michael says
My wife and I moved in with Paula. We lived there for almost 10 months. The first three months were just fine. Until one day our land lord said her son wanted to move back in. He was being released from prison. That he needed a address or they would not release him. She told us all about him what he had done to get put in prison.
Travis was an adopted baby boy who she raised from a baby.
When he moved back in right away his anger showed through. Coming in the house one day he pushed his mother into the wall. I yelled you better not do that again.
He jumps up runs down the hall way full speed and punches me in the face. I grab him slammed him down on the floor. Holding him down while he’s threatening us. Saying what he is going to do to us. So I started choking him until he said he is ok now. His mother is screaming and crying saying please don’t hurt him. I told him I’ll let you go if you just calm down.
Finally he did!
I and Danielle have been been working for Paula about three months before he was released.
Danielle was injured on both knees and needed medical attention. She couldn’t walk for about two weeks and needed
some antibiotics and pain medicine. Two weeks later. He started up again after finding things missing in the garage.
I was outside working on my truck. When he came from behind and sucker punch me in the face. He almost threw me over the edge of the puyallup river.
I tried to stop him because his mother said please don’t hit him.
With help from neighbors I was able to get back ln my feet. I started heading for the house when Travis did a round house I tried to block it with my left hand. Instead he dislocated my finger.. In a bad way. At the hospital I explained that we were in a fight that he did a roundhouse kick dislocating my finger. They said it was the worst dislocation of a finger hes seen in years. Now at present day I can not use this finger at all. I also can not bend it at all. Its given me pain so much and getting even worse from not fixing it properly. Went through physical therapy for 3 months. Wasn’t never seen for my finger after that it’s been over a year and I really need to have it done cuz it really hurts me a lot as time went by still kept on doing his little tricks and trying to attack us and stuff we were out looking for a house to rent too so we could move when we came home one day all of our stuff was sitting in the driveway here broke into our room and kick the door in took everything out and put it in the gravel so now we live at the Rodeway Inn motel for the last almost a year now because of the pandemic
Aud Samons says
My sister lives in a mobile home park she rents. She is an invidled and her care giver was trespassed because the new owner did not like the care giver. So now my sister has no one to be her caregiver due to the covid crisis. Can the land lord legally do this in Arkansas. Desperately in need of advice.
Francine Norris Curtis says
I paid a person to drive me to a house in south dallas tx to move in to share a room with a lady. The house before the lady bought it had a water leak problem on to carpet in a dinning room closet carpet. I saw my doctorr who was treating me for a uti & wanted me to leave a urine sample yo see if the uti.was improving. I returned to see if itt was& he asked why so much mold was showing in my urine & i had just learned about the wet closet carpet. The carpet was moldy the day i moved in & began to have effects on me the 1st day. My rent was paid & i.asked the owner if i could prorate 3 days of rent to wait till my ssi hit my bank. She was unwilling.so i moved on zero money & ended up in emergency to get help wih how the mold was effecting me. I had to leave most of my belongings there. I went to get more of my items , i couldnt take them all. I was on my way to a medical appt .& was not allowed in & noone renting there knew where my things were. I wad told by the owner to be back the next day or they were trash & i was not able to return the next day. But someone that works for the fire rescue that the e.r.put me in touch with broughtthem to me. I had to stay in a motel 2cweeks till i wasctold about a place to move to. When they were.brought to me many.items were missing. I had for months since last summer have tried to get a pro nono lawyer to hell me change the name on my ss card to my birth name but they never stick with me & i was going to have them write the owner of the house i had to move from.write her a letter. I cant even get their help on my ss card name change. That must not be a need a student lawyer needs. So im on my own for that. If i have to takecthe lady to small claims as well as do the name change i”ll need all fees on both waived. For years ive had to deal with health challanges & financial. Can you advise me on how to do all this when i really not up to any of it.
Pk Staunton says
March of 2020 I started renting from my boss. Her business is downstairs, apartments are up stairs. She had just bought the whole building in March of 2020. She had rented the downstairs since 2006 for her massage business. 2007 is when I started working for her, Intermittently. In 2020 we all were dealing with the pandemic. The spa closed suddenly. When the massage business opened, with limitations, I was not ready to go back to work. I felt that my landlord/boss didn’t like my decision.
The apartment above me was occupied by my boss and her family. They also occupied another apartment in the building, on another floor, which they called “their home”. I decided to go back to work at the spa on July 20, 2020. One Saturday, I noticed while in the laundry room and while I was looking for some paper towels, that under the sink, there was a hole in the wall. About a 6″ by 6″ . It looked into a massage room where the massage table stood. I shared my findings with a co-worker that was in the room with me. I also had this feeling that I needed to look up. Most massage therapist, like myself are empathetic. On the ceiling there was a hole. it was about 1/2 inch in size. My boss and her husband live (their home) in that apartment above the laundry room. After that my life was a nightmare. Night after night they would make loud noises, stomp and bang things around In the apartment above me. I couldn’t get a whole night’s sleep. Lights would go off in the bathroom while I was in there. I would have to turn the breaker back on, for the lights to come back on. When I would use my kitchen sink the water would spit out water for a while and then run smooth.
A fire alarm was going off one morning and really scared me. I opened my door and my boss/landlord was standing in the hall way near my apartment and said to me ” I knew that would wake you up”! It was an inspection for the fire alarms and smoke detectors. I only had 15 minutes to use the bathroom before they came in my apartment. I was not given a notice they were coming. The trigger about this fire alarm is that my father died in a fire when I was 10 years old. On September, 29th, 2020 I fell on the next to the last step going outside. My flipflop got stuck in the crack in that stair. I was taken to the emergency room where they told me I had a broken wrist and needed surgery.
Months later, I couldn’t take any more and I decided that I needed to move. Gave my landlord a 30 day notice. We did a walk through of the apartment on the 16th of June, 2020. I did not have a plan A or B of where to live. So I am in my car, homeless. It’s better than living in that apartment. I’ve been in a state of grief about my hand because I’ve not been able to make a fist yet. I’ve been in this profession for 26 years. It was/is my calling.
1 says
If something happens in the parking lot of the apartment does the tenant have access to view cameras?
Rodney Pelham says
They handed the keys to the kingdom, to the enemy. she is laughing her rear end off. the guy she just moved in said they were on sight mgrs, turns out she got a minor responsibility position. he just lies to certain people . police, ect. he has been harassing a lot of tenets including hitting me . knocked me out almost.. I called 911 . they refused to take a report do to covid . D.A. overwhelmed. or some crap. I know nothing of this type of thing. . CAN ANYONE HELP ME ???? OR do I watch all i worked for go by by. buy a van, and move in with the homeless. PLEASE HELP ME AND MY WIFE..
Mike says
I am renting an apartment. A fast-flying rock thrown by the mower broke my window, sent shattered glasses all over the room and landed a deep hole in the wall. I was in a different room and thus was not injured. The landlord sent a maintenance team to fix things and clean glasses, and I was there cleaning with them as well. But, I had to do extra work to clean up the remaining small pieces after they left. In this case, can I ask for some kind of compensation for the safety threat and the extra work I have to do? Thank you!
Ian Pisarcik says
It will be difficult to prove that the maintenance crews’ negligence caused the damage. To do so, you would have to prove that the person who mowed your lawn knew that the mower was likely to kick up rocks and that he failed to take steps to avoid this (such as picking up the rocks or putting a “rock block” on the mower). What’s more, in the eyes of the law, you didn’t suffer any damages (the maintenance crew fixed the window and you weren’t injured). The fact that you had to clean up some extra pieces isn’t compensable unless you can prove that you lost a lot of money as a result (i.e., you were forced to miss an important business meeting).
Ian Pisarcik says
I’m sorry you’re having trouble with your landlord.
I would recommend reaching out to your local California legal aid office. They should be able to help you with a landlord-tenant dispute.
Ian Pisarcik says
You generally don’t have a right to view security camera footage. However, you can file a police report and ask the police to check the footage. Alternatively, you can retain an attorney who can subpoena the security tapes.
Tiffany says
I live in a homeless shelter that’s ran by turning point of California my name is Tiffany I live in Fresno in this supposed housing service program we signed a contract that was Fed up in signing by the fact that there was so many people entering this housing service project now it says they feed us three times a day they don’t it says they will fix anything that’s wrong with our rooms I have been waiting since February 2nd for the water in my bathtub to be fixed so that it will not leak it is now June 3rd and there is yellow at the bottom of my bathtub from the water leaking constantly on a twenty-four hour basis there is no weather stripping between the door frame and my door in the contract it says that they do room searches are they allowed to do room searches every three days and invade my privacy one of the staff members got caught going through my things without previously notifying me of that she was going through my personal drawers no 48 hour notice no 24-hour notice now as far as I was told this is a housing service not jail or a prison we are not allowed to leave before 8 in the morning and after 10 at night they say they also say we are not allowed in each other’s rooms because of covid as far as I knew if the person entering your room or residence was not a tenant there they were not allowed to come in your room or residents due to covid but yet they do when we are not here and they want to do a room search ballroom check they come in as they please leaving my personal things vulnerable to their hands things have came up missing the other day a girl died in the back of an asthma attack or a heart attack one of the two the staff here tried to use that to their advantage but instead of telling the truth they lied and said that she died of an overdose so that they could rummage through our drawers all of our personal belongings now can somebody tell me what a girl dying have an asthma attack or even if it was overdose has to do with me and my drawers in my room and them invading my personal space whenever they feel the need to if they knock on our door and tell us they’re doing a room check and we have just gotten out of the shower they tell us we have two minutes to get dressed and then they’re coming in what’s up with that I don’t understand that they’re firing the security guard I thought they were legally obligated to keep us safe someone may have to look at the turning point website for me because I have a reading comprehension problem I have to have somebody read it to me in order for me to understand everything and when I signed the contract here she did not read it to me she cat told me the basics when I already had told her I have a reading comprehension problem now don’t you think she should have read the whole contract to me or forward how do I get out of this contract so that they may not invade my personal space my privacy go through my things pretty much accused us of being the reason that girl died I don’t even know that girl never even met her in my life I’m in one of the new homeless shelters in a hotel called project roomkey I need help they’re coming to do a room check today and I’m tired of feeling like I have to let them in my personal space the ones that come in our rooms are not even housing officers I’ve looked up a few things online and understand a few things but not everything can somebody please help me anybody out there feel free to look at the website or some legal ways I can get out of this contract please please help me I feel like a prisoner I feel like I’m trapped I’m 34 years old and have a 6 year old child I’m not a 6 year old child what’s a 34 year old mother somebody help all of us here for them to fire the security guards I think should not be allowed that is concerning to me I may not be the smartest person in the world but I’m kind of intelligent and not dense too
Tiffany says
If there’s nothing you can do you can also state that too
Denise says
From Oklahoma:
Our apartment complex has new management and now most of us don’t feel safe. They presently have out-of-State painters staying on property. We are sure they didn’t run a background check on them. The maintenance man gave the painters a bucket full of keys to let themselves open doors to paint front doors
Cars and tool trucks have been stolen. This is/was a “luxury” apartment and now because of their negligence nothing is maintained. Some of us have lived here 15 years. I have 3 years and have never seen broken stairs. … Concrete is still on ground and steps have not been replaced, trash is piling up and cockroaches have begun to invade the property. Our swimming pool is green… We always swim there, but they haven’t opened it. They tell us one thing then another. Washing machines, toilets are stacking up behind the club house and finally after we complained to corporate, they removed 4 sofas that has been left for over 3 months behind the dippy dumpsters, previous management kept everything neat and tidy. The trash areas are full of creatures with everything left all around. Isn’t there right for sanitary environment?
Previous management had video cameras installed, but this staff will not turn them on because of “liability”. We had only one incident at the apartment in the 3 years I’ve lived here and all of the above has happened in 7 months.
What is our community tenants rights?
Can we demand all of our locks changed? What about painters on it property? Free access to our apartments and probably duplicating or keys?
Rm says
Sounds awfully familiar to the same situation I’m dealing with except it has been about 6 months and no one has gotten back to me I am been jumped my house has been broken into and my slider door is still not able to walk I have been asking them to replace it for over a year and a half they come they fix it it doesn’t work they leave they wait weeks and weeks and months to try again I have called housing maintenance and above them this is what I deal with on a day-to-day basis I can’t wait to move out
Emma says
We found out that our upstairs neighbor is a wanted felon and absconded terms in other states. Charges include aggravated assault, battery, terrorizing, and domestic abuse. Our landlord knowingly put that tenant in there and is now harassing us. The local officials cannot expedite this person, and our landlord seems not to care. What are our rights knowing this person living above our apartment is a felon at large? Isn’t it considered harboring a felon?
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Shelby says
I rented a home and had my partner at the time living with me. He was not on the lease. At the move in I completed a walk through list 2 pages front and back of items which were molded and in need of repair. 2 years later nothing was ever fixed. In the meantime, my partner and I split up although he remained in the house in a separate bedroom. He ended up changing the locks, refusing to let me get my belongings. I had to take the police with me multiple times to retrieve my stuff. I notified the property manager that he changed the locks, that he came after me physically and in the end broke down my bedroom door and stole all my remaining belongings. I sent the property manager one text after another asking for help to get him out of the house to no avail. The ex ended up destroying the house and now the property manager wants me to pay for all repairs. Am I liable??
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Shelby.
It sounds like there are 2 issues. First, the landlord isn’t taking care of maintenance on the home. Second, your partner has assumed residency and you’re prevented from retrieving your belongings (and are still responsible for the lease). These are very separate issues.
You are responsible for any damage caused by your ex-partner because you are named on the lease, unfortunately. The home was rented to you, so you need to be responsible for who is living there and what happens to it. If he has locked you out of your own residence or has taken possession of your belongings, you should contact the police.
With respect to the damage that existed before you moved into the home, it was smart that you have it all documented. However, you would still need to prove that the management had the list of damages and did not repair them during the time you lived in the home. For something like that, you might wish to call a lawyer who specializes in landlord/tenant issues. You can use the Enjuris Law Firm Directory to find a lawyer near you who can help. Best of luck!
Ian Pisarcik says
Thanks for the comment!
Emily says
I live in a apt complex the manager post a news update to everyone’s doors but had everyone’s birthday and first names including kids and the apt they live in . This makes me highly uncomfortable and feel like it shouldn’t be legal
Ian Pisarcik says
It’s probably not illegal for your landlord to publish this information. Nevertheless, if you are uncomfortable with the information being public (which is certainly understandable), I would recommend expressing your concern to the landlord. If the landlord refuses to remove your information from these news updates, then you might have a lawsuit.
Ian Pisarcik says
I hope things get better for you. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Esmeralda Ek says
I live in Los Angeles, the landlord is renting the apartments to people who are in a programs which place people with drug problems and other mental issues problems but neglects to let me know. They paid between $25.00 to $100.00 for rent. I paid $900.00 dollars. I am in no program, in fact there is only another neighbor who pays full rent. One tenant is crazy and dangerous, I have complaint to the landlord and all he says is becareful. I have complaint several times. He doesn’t sleep he scream every day in the middle of the night. The landlord doesn’t even know the people who moved in, all he care about is the rent. I have kids who don’t even go outside because the guy is crazy and has mental issues.
Amber says
My family became residents of a luxury apartment complex back in December 2020 and since moving in, we have had a number of issues. The largest issue is our parking situation though. We have a garage for 1 car and a driveway for another. We are on a dead end, the corner apartment, no room to our right, and a large rock to our left. Across the street from our driveway is a piece of grass and signs that say “no parking, tow zone.” For us, when we reverse out of our driveway, we have nowhere else to go, except for back. People park in the no parking zone all the time and even by nicely asking them to move, we get harassed and are told no. I have called management and corporate about this over 2 dozen times with no help. We pay for those parking spots… so are we allowed to refuse to pay for it since we can’t utilize our garage or driveway?
Also, we are a pet community. Dogs are allowed as long as they are leashed at all times. Our downstairs neighbor has a retired military police dog that happens to not like other dogs or humans. Our neighbors across the street from us don’t walk their dog on a leash and allow him to wander. Two days ago, my boyfriend was almost attacked by the dog downstairs because the dog across the street came charging at him and Our downstairs neighbor left his door open, allowing the shepherd to get out.
Is there anything we can do about either of these situations? Its so frustrating to pay $1500 a month for bad service, bad living, and fearing for your life when you walk out of your apartment door.
Chyna says
I live in Brooklyn NY in a State funded building. We have a security guard for 5:00 pm to Midnight. Our packages are dropped off and left in front of the mailbox alcoves by various companies. For the past year packages have been stolen.
Is our Landlord responsible for stolen Packages?
What do you recommend?
Halie says
I moved into my very first apartment with my boyfriend and daughter in July 2020. Not too long after the move in I heard dripping water in the closet where our HVAC unit is located. I sent an email to the office manager about it and I ended up seeing what looked like mold on the wood. When she sent maintenance they fixed a pipe that’s as leaking and told me that it wasn’t mold. As of now, 8/16/2021, it’s leaking again every time we have the air on. And it’s not a pipe it’s the actually unit leaking onto the wood and the mold has grown. I emailed my concerns to management and I even had pictures from last year and this year that can show the difference. Maintenance came and said it was mildew and tried to cover up the leaking which it did not work. Different maintenance man came the next day and said it was dirty water and tried to spray it and cover it up with what looks like plaster. But you can still kind of see it especially on the wall. I have contacted so many times about what needs to be fixed in our apartment and they rarely fix it or don’t come at all unless I put in a service request on my portal. I did that just last week about two different things and when I logged back in on the portal one of them was taken off like I never requested it. So I continue to send emails. I have said to either fix the mold and put us in a nice clean unit or let us out of our lease legally and pay my money back as we speak to the higher up about it. I am highly allergic to mold (I am allergic to penicillin) which I have mentioned multiple times. I have mentioned I have a toddler and a newborn now who are getting sick because of the mold issue. This month was the start of our new lease because of me having my baby so close to the end of our lease I didn’t have much of a choice but to renew to save some money. I really want to get off of those apartments not really have them put me in a another unit where all they do is slap on paint to try to cover damages up. They are all about their money and doing all these renovations. I have to send the same email a few times just to get a response, they don’t answer their phones half the time but everything I’ve asked for and told them about it I have in emails and writing and pictures.
Anni says
I live in a apartment that is non smoking . thevman they have in charge of the building does not fallow rules and smokes in his unit my daughter has asthma and his cigarette smoke comes right into my bathroom vent and my bathroom smells like an ash tray iv continuously told the managers and they do nothing . what can be done?
Scared Sally says
I have a situation where I need to serve the landlord notice about serious safety issues about the rental (Lousiana), i know normally one would serve such notice via registered mail, that way you can provide proof that the issue was being neglected in the event that he is negligent in making the necessary repairs, however this landlord is very secretive and I don’t have anything more than a phone number, do you have any recommendations as far as other ways to provide him both notice and retain proof of receipt of said notice… This same landlord has violated my peaceable possession by walking in unannounced though his contractor left a door open, and he says he knocked, of course we gave him a very direct and stern explanation that he was expected to provide reasonable notice to his visit, and to wait at the door for a response, even if no such door exists except in an emergency situation as called for by the lease and state law, and clearly expressed that barring an emergency that demanded his immediate attention or other prior agreement about the issue that reasonable would be 24 hours notice… Ever since that day he is that much more unavailable to be served with a usual record of service such as registered mail… Just wondering if you might have any suggestions besides registered mail that the court may recognize as proof of being served such notice…. Thanks in advance
Retailitory Eviction Victim says
My landlord was working remotely. So she had some man she knows that lives near our apartment complex. Start watching me and my kids reporting back to her. I had contacted my landlord via email that i have. And let her know that i found out i had serious medical condition. And was gonna be gone for hospital stays extra help and appointments. Just so she was aware. But she still gave him permission to enter my home with out consent prior notice or emergency repairs. In the middle of quartining . The man being a complete stranger. No employee of theres. He said it looked like i abandoned the place. She left a notice requiring contact Within i believe was 7 days or doors would be locked. I contacted her in given time frame. Also asked why my privacy laws from state code voilated. And my children and is safty put at risk because of her actions. Told her i was filing a complaint she laughed screaming the number and saying she dared me go ahead. Then told me i was done get out i was evicted. She was mad because i was asking to know the name of the man who entered my home illegally. i complained did no good. They determined no lease or civial rights was broken. Nor was it retailitory. Her boss and her are best friends. Complaining did no good
The eviction letter come that week. And was left blank. When court come around. She claimed she was evicting me for faliure to turn in recirtfy hud papers. I had and have proof i did . Mind you eviction was filed on march 1st. Yes a notice asking about papers was sent in dec. Like every year but not due until april the 1st i still had a while month to do so . Well i proved i turned in paper work. Now she changed the reason from not turning paper work in. To not completing it. I contacted aep who personally faxed utility usage to her due to me quartining not leaving the house to mail things out. They have proof utility usage was sent. Tried to call and complain to main authority again. And they wouldn’t even hear me out waiting on my appeal hearing. I have no clue what else to do. I have all emails up until lanlord blocked me from emailing her. All evidence to prove she broke several state codes what else is it gonna take to show i was evicted for excersing my rights. And complaing about my family’s safty. Help please
Garage Door Medic says
Great article to read, all the tips are great….
Ian Pisarcik says
Thanks for the comment. I’m glad you found the article helpful.
Lynn Phillips says
Good afternoon.
Im in need of a lawyer that can help. I have called and left messages before noone has called back after I was referred by a local attorney.
I live in a apt complex on the top floor and have been having a issue with my attic as I live on top floor of a 2 floor unit. I have been having a issue if someone in my attic with noises, foot steps, running and things missing now. I have called the local police department on 4 occasions now and I have even went so far as to purchase security cameras and pay for a service for my safety. My neighbor is also having the same issues as well. The apt first told me they have fire walls so noone can get to each other then this morning after I went yesterday again and spoke with property MGMT and said that’s not possible he sent there maintenance guy up there and verified in fact I can get to my neighbors apts and they can get to mine I need help please I have had to be dealing with this since March, spent money on hotel rooms just bc I was too afraid to even be here and pay 1300.00 in rent to live in fear since Jan and now they give me a 3 day notice to put me out bc I again have proven my safety is at risk. I don’t have money to move and putting me on the street is unfair when I have shown my safety is at risk, called the police, brought it to my front office attention. I don’t know what else to do, I move on a daily basis while I am here my king size bed Infront of closet, don’t shower unless someone is here with me, bungee my doors so noone can get in, shut all my air vents bc I am afraid and don’t sleep unless I am away from this apt. It is ridiculously insane for them to think it is ok for my neighbors to get to me thru my closet entry way!!
Please help I don’t know what else to do!!!!
M.J.
Valcore Wood says
I live in a hud building and my neighbor has her grandson illegally living with her because he hasn’t been added to her lease or reported him living there to the social security office or dhhr office either and in our lease we are only aloud to have a guest of any kind stay only a week out of a 30 day period and he has been living here nonstop since January 2021 and he brings and does drugs on the property and in the building and he also has overdosed twice in the past month.. He shoots up herion and meth.. Me and alot of the other tenants have went to the building manager who also in high up on the hud scale and he just keeps telling us there is absolutely nothing he can do if his grandma is sneaking him in but she’s not and the building manager knows that to be a fact because the grandson walks right by the building manager on and off all day long because the building manager also lives in the building and he also knows about the overdoses and the grandmother’s homemaker has complained multiple multiple times as well.. I’m afraid that if I call the main office nothing will be done about it because he is higher up on the rankings for hud employee and I’m so fed up with everything and need to knw wat to do..
Anna says
I live in a 55 and up apartment complex. About 15 of us do not have a lease because the complex manager quit and the parent company has been unable to hire a replacement. We all want to sign leases but were not given that option as they have no one to do the paperwork. All of us received rent increases two months ago as they said we were now month to month renters. This is not through any fault of our own. We would have signed the new leases but weren’t given the option. As of the middle of August they finally hired someone and she has had several tenants sign leases. I am not sure why but they are saying the leases will start in November, even though the leases were signed in August. Today several of the people who signed the leases in August were given letters that the rent has been increased again and the new rental amount will be due with the start of the new lease in November. Are they allowed to raise the rent after the lease has been signed?
Vee says
Hello, I rented an apartment in a building with 11 other apartments. The building is partially collapsing and all the tenants were evacuated and given only 5 minutes to grab clothes. Everyone called the landlord and he is nowhere to be found. It’s been 5 days now still without hearing from him, our stuff still in our apartments, no one giving us any updates on the building whatsoever, and no answers. We are currently staying at a hotel but don’t know for how long, we were told we were all going to get our security deposits back, but no one knows when. The building partially collapsed because of lack of maintenance. This is also not to mention that everyone had something wrong in their apartments. Mine for example, had a heater that didn’t work, windows that didn’t close, my bathroom sink literally comes off the wall and doesn’t work because it just leaks water all over the bathroom floor. We all have bugs, spiders and mice. Contacted the office many many many times and they failed to fix anything. So we don’t know what our future holds or how to find the landlord. What can I do? We are all people of low income and can’t afford lawyers.
Gila says
Hello,
Thank you for this forum. I live in Rutherford County, TN, and my husband and I rent the end of a tri-plex. There are trees that hang over the back of our apartment just over the kitchen and our bedroom. I have asked the landlord (about two years ago) to either trim the trees or if possible have them removed. They refused. Fast forward to a few days ago, tree limbs have fallen and hit the end our apartment. There were no storms or windy weather that would have contributed to this. We are not sure if there’s damage to the roof or the corner of out unit. We have contacted the landlord via text, but no response.
I’ve done a bit of research and it appears in Tennessee the landlord may be liable due to “reasonable duty of care”. Should we get a lawyer to write a letter regarding this?
Jessica says
Today I fell and could possibly have broken my ankle I’m renting in some apartment complex in Lufkin tx this makes the 3rd time me falling but the first time actually getting hurt.
Dante says
Hi! My friend lives in an apartment complex that is gated and “monitored”. His car was stolen from their parking area. Is the landlord/property management liable for anything since they told my friend there are cameras so things like this don’t happen but when we walked around we saw no cameras anywhere on the property.
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Dante. The apartment complex management is responsible for maintaining safe premises. Ultimately, this could come down to whether the complex’s actions toward deterring theft were reasonable or if it was negligent in a way that permitted the car theft to happen. Your friend should report the theft to the police and advise that the apartment complex has said it has security cameras, so that the police may request the camera footage for the time when the theft occurred.
I suggest consulting a lawyer who can review the facts and evidence and advise on the apartment complex’s liability. Best of luck to your friend. You can find a lawyer here: https://www.enjuris.com/directory/.
Madisonsic says
My apartment complex hired a known fugitive from another country that committed murder as their property manager. I am wondering if I have a case against them for negligence
Jenny says
my father lives in subsidized housing due to being low income and a tenant above his apartment caused a small fire which in turned caused major water damage to my father’s apartment. Fire department and Red Cross arrived to find that due to the building being so old black water spilled from the sprinklers and ceiling causing major damage to his apartment, belongings and considered it inhabitable. My father and other tenants were removed and placed in hotels or allowed to stay with family members and be reimbursed for rent. The main issue is that they called a restoration company to go remove and store his personal belongings while they restored his apartment. They also disposed of anything the black water touched such as his bedroom set, living room, food, etc all without his consent. Other tenants did sign and authorized removal and disposal with the exception of my dad who was never contacted about it but told afterwards. Now they refuse to reimburse him for his personal belongings saying they disposed of due to a City ordinance dealing with black water regardless if he authorized it or not. We located the contract through the restoration company and it was their manager that signed the contract with the restoration company for the building but never a specific room. My father now has a room and no furnishings to move into as he cannot afford that. He also does not have renters insurance
Question is did they have the authority to dispose of his belongings without approval or consent? Can they be liable to reimburse him for the items destroyed?
I truly appreciate any assistance given
Crick3t says
Caught maintenance supervisor on my bed going through my clothes, management called me a lier.
They won’t fire him I won’t allow him back in my apartment. So management is trying to find a way to evict me by putting words in my mouth. She refused to change locks from June of 2020 to now October 16 21. Told them I was taking them to civil Court next thing I know there fixing everything I put down on the maintenance request forms. Damage is already set in every time I see him my heart starts to race I start crying and shaking. I can’t even get out of the car when I see him over by my apartment.
I always think he is still going into my place. Someone keeps coming in and leaving things I threw in the dumpster they will put it where I can see it. Management is the only ones besides me who have a key. She stated she’s the only one who has access to the keys, police even stated no one has been breaking in due to no signs of broken window or door.
The officer stated have you thought of your manager or maintenance since they have a key. Now after a 1.5 yrs of going crazy she now will change the lock which will do no good due to he still works here, he will still have access to my apartment.
Kim says
Hi, I moved into a new apartment in May and we have a security door that is supposed to stay closed that automatically locks. My next door neighbors keep it propped open pretty much 24/7 because they cook meals and let others take showers in their home. It’s like a revolving door. I told the property mgr and everyone is closing the door but then they run back out and open it as soon as someone closes it. What can I do about this, I had a bug issue all summer because of it and will cause me to have a higher electric bill. They think they can do whatever they want and are putting my safety at risk.
Thank you,
Kim
Terry boggess says
Hi, I own my mobile home and reside on a rental lot in wv. My drive way is a hill and nothing but red clay mud ( meaning gravel has never been put down at all) the land owner said they would put rock down after the mobile home was brought in and set up. They have failed to fallow threw with that. When it rain I have to park on the neighbors property because my car will not come up the drive way and if it’s parked in the drive way when it comes a heavy rain, the minute you release the emergency brake while still in park my car begins to slide down the driveway along with having to keep a grip on the car to keep from falling/sliding down the drive way when trying to get in it. My concern is when winter sets in I won’t be able to use my drive way at all nor will I be able to continue my holiday dinners at my home due to no one being able to get in my drive way. Now I did ask if I could take the rent money to get some rock in the drive way and I was told no. Is this ok? Who’s responsible for doing it? I feel unsafe for my children and visitors along with my vehicle. Is there anything I can do about it?
bergengaragemedicny says
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Renee says
I live next to a building that is in clear danger of collapse. It has exposed foundation, stacks of tubs on the second (exposed) level that have filled with water resting on a flexible, presumably water-rotted wood, and many more issues. I have seen a raccoon going in and out of one of these exposed areas, causing me to worry that animals have built homes there, eaten through wood, and caused more damage. Apparently, the owner of the building lost rights to construction on the building and is no longer allowed on the premises. As a result, however, this dangerous, unsteady building is left in its wake.
I am a tenant and so I don’t know what rights I have and what I can do about this. I was told that my landlord did contact the city the I live in, but clearly nothing significant has been done. I think that I must bring concerns to my landlord and try to persuade him to contact the city again. My state’s tenant’s rights state that the landlord must “Follow all health and safety laws so that the building, apartments, and common areas are safe. Common areas include the driveway, yard, halls, and laundry rooms.” In this case, the building itself and, in turn, my own personal safety is at stake.
What do you recommend that I do about this situation? What do I do if nothing significant seems to be happening after I contact my landlord?
Juan says
I live in a rent apartment in a two flat building 2nd floor my landlord said that is my responsibility to clean the stairs way is that’s correct?
Ian Pisarcik says
In most cases, it is the landlord’s duty to keep common areas (such as stairwells) clean and safe. However, there are exceptions, such as when the landlord includes language to the contrary in the rental agreement.
Andrea says
Rothman Real Estate LLC of Manchester, CT condoned actions by other tenants even after these tenants glued my front door key hole, placed poop at my front door, and caused me to have a gran mal seizure from sleepless nights due to overnight noise from them. These occurred between November 2019 and July 2020.
Is there any recourse I can take?
West Virginia says
Hi I live in wv, I own my mobile home but rent the lot. I was supposed to be buying the lot off of a friend but they changed there mind on selling it after the move. I pay lot rent monthly. The land we moved on had been vacant for 20+ years so there for we had to run all new utilities we payed for the water line the land owner payed for the supplies for the sewer and electric but we done all the labor not asking to be payed for it. But over the few months of being here the land owner decided to not deal with us but have a family member do it instead because shortly after moving they had informed us that they wasn’t selling due to owing the IRS and that the IRS was coming for there home so they were going to have them take the lot we just moved on instead so yes we got upset not yelling mad upset but (I’m about to loose my home that I own upset, more so a lot of crying) because the cost to move a mobile home is not cheap. So once finding out we wasn’t going to be buying the property we have refused to put anymore of our time and money into the property. We’ll a couple months have passed and no word on anything else about the IRS but still paying rent. So needles to say we’re now in the fall winter months and the driveway was freshly cut in with a excavator and it’s a hill so now it’s a sloppy red clay muddy mess and my car will slide down the hill with out the emergency brake set and you have to hold on to the car in order to get in and around with out falling and on bad rainy day there is no getting in the driveway. I have to park at the neighbors. We’ll I had asked if I could take a months rent money and have some rock put in. And I was told no that if I was that concerned to use my emergency brake. I mean I pay rent and can’t use my own driveway on bad rainy days and when snow starts flying I won’t be able to use it at all also with having young children I’m worried one of them is going to get hurt. And if my car goes sliding out of the driveway it’s going to totel it because once you hit the road there is a drop off on the other side wich will put my car over another hill into the rail road tracks. I don’t know what to do! Also when we first moved they said they need to see my title long enough to put the info on a property tax form to show that they had a dwelling on it but they won’t give me my title back. I have been very nice trying to settle everything without the police and court but I’m starting to think that’s the rout I’m going to have to take. I’m just looking for advice, what my rights are and what there responsibilities are, and what’s the proper way of handling this.
Guy Wonder says
Building management claims not to be able to do anything regarding violent next door neighbor. Violence has spilled out from the next door apartment onto my apartment door, leaving blood on mine and other tenant’s doors and carpets in the building lobby. The neighbor broke into the next door apartment weeks ago smashing through the window and attacked the man living there. Two weeks ago the neighbor was screaming in front of my window and threatened to kick my door in and hurt me. Just a couple nights ago the same neighbor was heard fighting with a guest in the apartment around 3AM and the guest was left screaming in the hallway for help with his wounds, knocking on doors, and leaving a trail of blood in the building lobby until EMS came to pick him up.
Kat Ramone says
I am living in a rental home with other family members. I was making the bed in an upstairs bed room when a 3+ lb glass dome light cover above the bed flew off the ceiling & smashed me in the face. I was wearing my glasses, which flew off, were unbroken & probably saved me from worse injury. I was knocked down from the impact & bled profusely from a small gash on my forehead & the bridge of my nose. My kids tended with first aid & while I didn’t have to go to the ER, I’ve suffered extreme bruising to my nose, forehead & a black eye. It was also extremely painful & I have not been able to wear my glasses, which are necessary for me to see. I am completely traumatized as well—this was such a bizarre & random incident. Is there any liability to the landlord for improper installation of fixtures?
Jessica Thomes says
I’m commenting cause I was wondering if it’s legal for my landlord at my apartments to evict me for being a victim of a carless shooting!!?!! I have 6 children and they want us out before Christmas but I have done nothing wrong was just out walking my dog with my son and stopped to speak to a neighbor!
Ally says
Hello–I am not sure if anyone still checks this article/thread, however I find myself in a situation where I no longer feel safe in my apartment. I live in a downtown city area with high rate of unhoused people. I live above a carport that faces a public alleyway. We have had numerous incidents with unhoused people loitering in the carport, leaving trash, utilizing drugs, etc. I have lived here for 16 months, and I have twice now had to evacuate my apartment in extreme urgency with my cat to the street due to someone starting a fire in the carport. The first incident with a fire was alarming, but no significant damage was done. Fire department came and put out the fire. Going to sleep in the winter is scary because I know unhoused people will seek shelter there and higher risk of starting fire for warmth (they are enclosed carports). Yesterday someone started a fire again and a vehicle caught on fire and the engine combusted; again I had to flee my apartment in the middle of the day with my cat (thank you to my neighbors who alerted me of the fire). It was terrifying, and today I have suffered from minor PTSD symptoms (shaking and crying after smelling the residual smoke from the burnt car and thinking there was another fire). I am scared to go to sleep. Who knows if I would wake up in time if another fire started? The property management has changed since the first incident, however I have told the new property management of the first incident prior to the incident occurring yesterday. I have followed up today with them to ask their plan to keep the property and the tenants safe. What are my options? Thank you so much in advance.
Tbone says
Hi Nancy,
I’ve had a similar issue with a neighbor who constantly threatens me, damages my personal property (vandalized my car), and screams at me from his apartment downstairs. I’ve sent this info to the landlord 4 times and reported it to the police 4 times. The last time I spoke to the cops (yesterday) they told me the landlord is supposed to something about that tenant or I can sue them. When I spoke to my landlord he says that the cops are the ones who have to handle issues like this. This neighbor keeps harassing me and it’s gotten worse in recent times, can I sue my landlord for doing nothing about his behavior?
Melissa Gold says
I am so sorry you’re dealing with this, but I appreciate your sharing your story with Enjuris readers. Your landlord absolutely has a duty to maintain a safe living environment for you, and they are also responsible for the actions of their employees, like this particular maintenance person. You could check this directory to find your state or local bar association, which can direct you to landlord/tenant lawyers in your area who can help. I hope this is resolved soon!
Nicole D. says
The next door neighbor has been harassing me since September 2021 it’s now December 19th of 2021. I have video of the loud music that he turns on just because I walked outside. The back story to that is he was stealing our firewood and when my husband told him to stop that’s when he started playing loud rap or heavy metal at me every time I go outside. He also screamed at me and called me names in front of the landlord both times the landlord thought it would be a great idea to have us all “talk” I was respectful and never yelled at him I calmly stated what was going on and he screed and called me a liar even though I have it on video and smiled at me when I looked him in the eye and told him I knew exactly what he was doing. He has also threatened my husband, myself, and our animals. He makes vocalizations at me when I’m working out front he howled at me like a dog one night after I got home from a women’s conference. After the first “chat” he was told to stay away from me, not to enter into our space and keep his music down he agreed to it all. The same night he walks straight across our yard while looking right at us to my neighbors fire and proceeds to cuss up a storm as we were sitting at our fire pit with our 2 and 4 year old and he was making sure we could hear every bit. He keeps yelling crap at me from his front porch honking his car alarm because where he parks is right by our trailer. I’m sick of it and the landlord isn’t doing anything. I need help but can’t afford a lawyer. I’ve had to receive treatment for my MS because the stress of it all sent me into a flare up and my neurologist also put me on an anti depressant. I have panic attacks when I have to go outside to care for my animals and he is outside which is almost all the time. I can’t move yet we are trying to find property with my parents and I don’t want to get into another lease because I don’t know how long it will take could be a month could be six but I shouldn’t even have to think of trying to move with a family of 5 and my animals it’s hard to find a place big enough. It’s in our lease that if anyone behaves like he is they will be evicted but the landlord isn’t doing anything he thinks we should work it out when it’s been proven this guy can’t be reasonable all I wanted was for him to leave me alone now I want him gone I don’t feel safe and no the police won’t do anything about it.
Yvonne says
I live in a duplex apartment, when I moved in I was asked to provide information about myself and my income. Basic stuff upon filling out an application. I explained to the landlord that I’m on disability for a mental injury PTSD that I suffer from when I was I. The Iraq war. He understood this and said it wouldn’t be an issue and it never was as I was approved and became a tenant. As the years went by rent was paid on time and never missed. However he had never disclosed to me that the next door neighbors (tenants) we’re running a daycare. This would have been a valuable piece of information to have had prior to moving in as noise is a trigger to my PTSD. Living next to a daycare can be challenging. But I make it work and do my best to endure the noises, that really isn’t so bad. What’s worse is when the daycare is over and her own personal life and children are home there is no manners , respect or common curtesy to the level of noise they make. Slamming of doors constantly day and not. Stomping and jumping up and down the stairs. I’ve personally have asked several time if they could be a little quieter only to have them increased the notices and slamming of doors. I have repeatedly brought this to my landlord attention and he has done absolutely nothing about it. Also my home was broken into with my car stolen, when I asked him to replace the sliding glass door that had been Pride opened and lifted off the rail all he did was come over and drill a hole in the aluminum of the sliding door so a metal pin could secure it. I then asked if the locks had ever been changed. He said no. I then asked for both me and my child’s security, since our home had been broken into and reported to the police with my car stolen could he replace the locks for our security and mu mental comfort. He again said no, if I wanted that done I could do it and pay for it myself. Needles to say it took him over a month to replace the dis functional sliding glass door. When the home had been broken into and my car stolen.. it was evident my PTSD was very Heightened . I had to make an emergency call into my therapist to come to my home as my fears and security had been compromised. Well this all happened to happen at the beginning of a new month when rent was due. I had immediately called my landlord gave him a copy of the file number for both the break in and my car stolen. I explained that my purse was in the car with all my identification, credit cards, and bank cards. As I had said previous , I had never missed paying my rent in 3 years. To add insult to injury I said I would try to go to the bank and see if they would let me withdraw funds from my account without any form of identification if I explained my situation. He said he would meet me at the bank. The next day my anxiety and my PTSD was so extreme I was unable to leave my home., I lost track of time and missed the time I was to meet him at the bank so he showed up at my home insisting on the rent, I explained I have no way to access my account. The money is there As he knew I get a direct stipend from the state for my disability injury, and that in 3 years I had never not paid my rent. He then handed me a 2 day notice to pay or quit. That completely pushed me over the edge with all that had been going on. I slammed the door in his face and told him to stop harassing me. He then contacted the police department and Child Welfare Service with lies saying I did not recognize him and that i was unstable. I was frustrated and my PTSD was heightened, my therapist had been at my house 2 days prior and didn’t find me in any way dis functional or my child unsafe . So now today I have reached out to him several time for help regarding the security and noise disruption triggering my disability and he does nothing about it. What do I do? I’m not in a position where I can financially just up and move. But I don’t think or feel that being bullied, harassed and taunted by the disrespectfulness of my neighbors should be ignored. I have recorded noice decibels to show how loud they are, I have videos of threats to my personal property, all recorded and sent to the landlord with nothing, no response no action taken. What does one do. It has affected my sleep, my health, my security, my emotional wellness.
John says
Can I take a legal action against my apartment leasing office due to an illegal Pitbull on property which attacked my dog?
Dan says
They spit on you, threatened you, held a weapon against you, threw power steering fluid on you with the intent to light you on fire, and your concern is about the smoke? I’m not sure what you expect the resident manager to do about these things. You need the police. Had you called the police on all of these occasions (if they did actually happen), then I guarantee you would no longer have a problem with them being parked outside of your apartment window. And stop throwing eggs at people or their property. It’s also illegal, and you are provoking them.
Prim says
Put up cameras.
Godschild says
To each other. I feel lanlords are against everything a evolving world should have. It’s one mans greed over another, simply. I feel like all our lives are to pay to have a place to live. That way times like now, we wouldn’t have to worry. Yet, not so. They are another person demanding $$$ titles should be stripped
Kim lane says
My son was served an eviction notice for 24 hours. He was removed and made to leave their possessions behind. My son did not pay the rent because the landlord cut the air and heat early last summer and the sinks were stopped up the landlord refused to do any maintenance on the unit now. They’re homeless now with nothing.
Brandy says
My mother’s landlord hired a man to cut down a tree in the yard my mother rents. The guy did it wrong, and the tree fell on her rental, destroying 90 percent of her home and all of her belongings. The landlord basically told her to just find another place and have a nice life. She just paid rent, and has lived there for years. She is a senior with limited mobility. This seems wrong to me. Is there anything she can do?
Lola J says
My whole front room ceiling collapsed on my 4 year old while he was on the couch. Pieces hit him in the head & arm but by the Grace of God his injuries are not life threatening but we had to go to the E.R to make sure he doesn’t have internal bleeding. He has bruises on his arm and this was a frightening experience for me and my family watching this unfold and it happened so suddenly. What can I do as a scared mother who is going through this traumatic experience.
scott says
hello, i sub leased a loft from a friend of mine and he rented a back house on the sme property as the owner. which lived in the main house. without much of a notice we were all told that we would have to pack u and go because he was selling the property. this whole process took about two weeks. some of the tenants had been given money to vacate. and my friend and i were reluctant to allow for this to hapen to us in such a unlawful way. all of the utilities were shut off on us prior to there vacate day of choice. aroximately 1 week before feb 1st everything was shut off.. they were trying to get us to move by giving horrendous living conditions. ive done some research and i know that its absolutely not ok to do that to your tenants. my friend has since been given 2000 to vactate and im being ignored as the last tenant. but thats not all,this placed has been demolished so bad that you cant even walk through the yard. the owner hired some peole after i started the major cleanup and sent him a message stating that i would gladly asist him in cleaning up. he has not responded and i keep getting my stuff stolen. the demo crew hired kicked in my door so now i have no security to my belongings and has opened up my home to intruders at all times of the day. my shed was taken down to move to another location and they threw it into the trash. everyone is fully aware that i live there still and we discussed not to touch the back house . i still havenot tqlked with the owner personally and i want to know how bad this guy really messed up or if this is just me feeling entitled to better treatent by a owner of property other people pay for. whart are my options in a court room. id rather not go that route
sdk says
My landlord hasn’t yet fixed the pest problem. I have and bugs I have knats and moths had cockroaches and flies. He was unprofessional and said I need to get rid of my animals. I filed hardship for 6 months of back rent due to losing my job and my ex leaving me with no rent he owes. He said if I cant take care of myself how can I take care of animals, then he revoked my parking. My uncle got his car towed and it cost me. I’m trying to wait and see if I should even pay anything to him as I was making payments to him until he said “Have you found a place to live?” I need help.
Audrey Smalls says
If s tenant was put out of the apt by parent he is an adult and he now harassing other tenants . What is the responsibility of the landlord or management regarding the tenants safety
Nicole Davis says
My landlord and I agreed to between just us 2 that I would pay my rent every month that was until her son got out of prison and started using meth she actually put him in charge to start collecting rent and he would steal our rent money and his mom would believe him and would allow him to shut off our electric and water whenever he did take the money , anyway 3 issues happend 1st was her son sold drugs to my fiancés wife that liked her he got away with that 2nd was he attacked my fiancé and kicked him in the head numerous times and punched him with his mom there and her jumping in 3 strike was when he once again was on his drug binge at 3am banging on our windows and doror while my 7 year old and grandfather were sleeping Turned off the water and electric for 2 days Well grandpa caught on fire lighting a candle and lived for 3 days while we had no choice but to remain in a place where we had to put grandpas room out with milk, juice , whatever we had in our fridge.. .we also got the entire room under control and the fire put out , He had the candle in his hand he dropped it onto his air mattress and had no chance but 3 days now he is gone and we are figuring out where and what to do !! Please help
Leah Gonzales says
If I can ask a question in regards to Shelbys question? If there is domestic violence between tenants and the perpetrator is arrested or not; as long as the tenant informs the landlord of the problems being caused and requests support in changing locks and removing the offender(restraining order etc); isn’t the landlord responsible for doing as asked. It’s part of the Violence against Women’s Act federal legislation, if I remember correctly. Shelby clearly did as she was supposed to. And it sounds lole some of the problems would not have occurred if the landlord had in fact done as the law requires. If I missed something within her post that shows otherwise, please forgive my interjection.
Leah Gonzales says
It sounds like someone was methodically jimmying your door locks. You noticed the problem whether or not you knew the cause. You informed your landlord of a problem. Maintenance clearly noticed the problem existed. Maintenance and landlord failed to repair the problem. Repair could’ve been as simple as a $10 lock replacement kit at the hardware store and 15 minutes of already paid for labor via that same Maintenance man.
This would’ve at least supported your valid concern as a tenant. And definitely would certainly slowed down the future robbers. It also would’ve further solidified any need for insurance claims if they were able to break through your second door lock.
This sounds like a clear case of management failure to provide a safe and habitable living unit.
I don’t know how the eviction process panned out for you but you were clearly neglected and retaliated against. I think my only wrestling would be why did you choose to tell them you were getting an attorney and suing them and not going to pay rent; when they’d already agreed to pay what your insurance didn’t cover? Or at the least require they use their insurance to cover your losses? Their retaliation could’ve been considered business as usual when a tenant threatens them with retaliation first. In essence by you not letting them fail to cover your excess losses or not asking them for a rent reduction, you mightve breached that verbal agreement first.
Denise Johnson says
I left my apartment to visit a sick friend. When I returned home i noticed that a small perfectly round tool was used to puncture my 2-year-old refrigerator. The hole is larger than a cigarette burn. I called my property manager it was Saturday 2/26/2022, and she stated she would call me on Monday.
I am afraid to leave my house. I have two behaved adult male cats. These cats are my emotionally support cats and I don’t want anything to happen to them. Also, I am 70 years old and have health problems and many doctor appointments that are serious, but I will have to cancel because I am afraid to leave my apartment. This is worse than the virus to me. The property manager is new; this is the 4th property manager since I moved in June, 2019. I would like to know what I can do to correct this problem.
INGRID LOUISE LEPHARDT says
My ex landlord was constantly harrassing me, trying to charge me extra and I paid him 4 months in advanced at moving in he would lock me out, change locks he was crazy he hated my ESA service animal told me to get rid off or move out. One early morning i wake up hearing my cat crying and he was bleeding all over he attacked him there was blood everywhere I called police they came he was gone went to Veterinarian my cat had internal and external injuries needed 20 minutes surgery 9 stitches $3000 he was arrested bailout we went to court he was charged with animal cruelty 5 years probation classes etc and to psy me $3000 he only did 2 payments of $350 approx next 2 checks he did a stop payment and never paid me the rest he owed me approx $ 2750 i want my money I am disabled low income and seniir can you help me get my money??? Thanks
Cha Velasquez says
I lived at Brettler family place in Seattle WA from 2011 to 2021 in 2019 they moved me to a townhome on the same property. Within a month unknown black stuff started showing up on my freshly painted yellow walls. My dogs started getting very sick costing me so much in vet bills and the vet had no clue what was wrong? Then after a month my medical companion animal kitty taquito went into multiple seizers then died. A couple weeks later our rabbit bugzB went into seizers and also died! Causing trauma to my kids, and I. We reported this time and time in a span of 2 years fighting to be placed in a safe livable home! A few inspectors from Seattle came out and were blown away not understanding what this black stuff is? But after talking to my landlords they all passed my home inspection saying it was soot because they had seen a candle on my table! My health and my diabetes and graves, and asthma started declining, I then ended up and still have swollen lymph nodes and my throat to this day burns like fire! I then started having seizure! My appartments agreed to just paint over it and tried to say I’d be responsible. I again was disgusted. Daniel Pittman made me sign agreements and it took 3 extra months to not even fully paint all walls! Their maintenance was highly overworked and one came in my home disgruntled and verbally assaulted me and broke my camera that was in my home. He didn’t tell the landlords the truth so that day Daniel Pittman said we are no longer painting and said I assisted him? She refused to give me the maintenance man’s name. Well I had it all on camera but they refused to watch the video. This place IS Everyone’s NIGHTMARE! If people care to research or go talk to any person there they will tell you the evil going on at Brettler family place being ran by Mercy Housing. I paid money to message the CEO and he never even responded or read it! I said I was going to get a lawyer as I’m still injured from that home and they decided to let me move under a emergency voucher to copper gate where we’ve already been robbed and dealing with the same Government landlords doing absolutely. Nothing as they see us as less than zero. To this day they haven’t cared what was growing on my walls but it was all over everything I own and has now appeared in my new home! The photos will shock you on to how these people were allowed to be so careless and treat my family and the death of my two pets like nothing! Mercy housing goes against EVERYTHING the nuns meant when they created it to HELP people. They would be just as disgusted as I still am. I’ve only been free of that place if he’ll for 3 months now, and I’m broken that in Government homes they ALL TREAT THE TENANTS SO POOR. Mercy every tax season would charge most the tenants money saying oh 5 years ago u forgot to pay rent now you owe us 700$ people paid them out of fear! Not me I keep all receipts. But they tried more than once! This housing should not have ever been built on that old military base as I was not the only home there with this unknown black stuff. If only photos were allowed. I still cough up black stuff because it is on everything I own. I messaged Erin Brockovich and Jesse Jones but sadly got no response. I kept everything from that home including when my ceiling fan turned jet black. I pray anyone hears my story. Mercy should have returned my deposit but instead I’ve not heard a word about it? But they are a very evil company that has zero care for people at all.
Aimee says
My land lord is selling the property and the buyer requested a meth test, apparently it was not done before I moved in. I may have to stay in a hotel for 4 days or possibly Evan have to move. Should I have to pay for his negligence?
Anita Richards says
My car was parked in the handicap spot behind my apartment complex I have a placard allowing me to do so A new renter ba keds backed a moving truck into the passenger side of my car. It was captured on the video tape and I informed the manager in writing of the hit and run she refused to tell me who moved into the building or allow me t I view the footage without police involvement. I sent two additional written reminders to back up the tape. By the time the police issued the report number she had not saved the tape .and will not tell me who did this. Is the owner Liable
Sheryl says
I own the mobile home but share the rental of the lot and responsibilities with my family friend whom is in active addiction and an alcoholic .The last time I call the police they removed him because he sliced my boyfriend’s tires .we divided on psychiatric help instead for him .he was home in 3 days and started right back .the office says if I call the law again I’m evicted.is that true.
CrystaL Freeeman says
I rent a room from a lady who is 5150 not sure if she had been diagnosed but decently had some mental problems we were not aware of this when we first moved in. This lady had made our lives hell she had harassed us she flips out on us or of no were all the time she has broken or bedroom window while we were inside she threw mutable thing threw the window after breaking broke all my thing that water impressed took a water hose turned out on and stick it in the window after she broke is and damaged everything in my room I called the police they actually watched her break my bedroom door in and took a hudge picksaw ax and busted my flat screen tv and my dresser the police say there and watched her did nothing about it. She goes out everyday and slanders my y husband and I name too all the brushes around our neighbor good tell them lies about us she goes in our bedroom while we are not home stools or thing and sells them she Detroit’s or belonging she stuffed or cloth in a toilet and pissed and shit on them she has peeded outside my bedroom door s veral times after she has harracated is inside our rooms by putting a dresser and couch and whatever else she could in front of our door to were wet can’t get out at night she will go turn the breaker box and shut it off so we sit in the dark I clean the house and she destroys it she has h8v and aids she passed in my china vase she takes my food and destroys it everyday she takes my hygiene and destroys it pours it out my laundry detergent dumps it she takes a knife and stabs the tires in my cars she takes my car keys she scratches the hell out of my car and so much more I don’t know what to do can’t anyone give me any advice restrainting order don’t work police won’t help thanks
Dawn says
I am renting a government building in a security complex which where I live and also run my business from. In 1019 the building burnt down completely and we lost everything in the fire.. The complex is been overseen by an estate agent who up to date has done nothing but try to find ways to blame us for the fire even though it seemed to have started in the ceiling. What are my rights and am I able to claim third party insurance
J M says
Hi my name is john
We just found out that there was a gas leak for a while in the 2 family home we rent the top the land lord lives down stairs and they said that its also child endangerment Plus our sons 14 & 10 have been home alone at times which makes me scared what are my options
Melissa Gold says
Hi, John. I am sorry that you’re dealing with this. It sounds like there was a gas leak but it has since been resolved. I know it’s scary to think of what could have happened, particularly to your children. However, since it sounds as though there has not been actual injury (thank goodness), your best bet is to make sure that the situation has been fixed and that maintenance is taking steps to prevent it from happening again. You are entitled to live in a safe environment, and the property owner or landlord is responsible for ensuring that your family is safe from these types of hazards. If you believe that there is still a problem, you can contact a landlord tenant attorney. Feel free to use the Enjuris directory to find someone near you (https://www.enjuris.com/personal-injury-law-firms/).
Danny pacheco says
I email my landlord telling her that there’s people st a Ying in laundry room and their making a lot of noised.the laundry is directly on the other side of my living room wall.so landlord sends an employee who didn’t do anything but just converstae with illegal tenant.so that night again I hear banging,so I email landlord again mad talking smack about her employees not doing what their suppose to I been asking for security door,and a window for a year.anyhow they come to the house,we’ll they show my statement to the illegal as l tenant when I told them to please keep me confidential cause I live there .well the guy confronts me and start threatening about how he is going to make me feel uncomfortable every day in my home..after a day he breaks my front window,wh..and starts being loud reluntalymy mother was there so she wouldn’t be worrying I didn’t confront him and I still haven’t told him anything cause I don’t want no problem I want to live peacefully.i done told my landlord that I need a fence the gate is broken I tell her all the time that the neighborhood is pretty bad that if she can add a security door and fence.anyhow now I’m not comfortable in my place,it’s been violated,my daily routine has been diminish ,I’m so streess out that I’m not thinking right financially.im always paranoid.this all could of been avoided if they kept me confidential.i ask the landlord why she threw me under the bus.she say she didn’t cause shes thr only one we with a copy of the statement .but I believe her secretary male more copies or maybe she did throw me under the bus on purpose.but now like something has to give.anyhow please let me know what is this?
Tex Hooper says
I didn’t know that pool screen enclosures were the landlord’s responsibilities. My pool doesn’t have a screen. I should probably get one for my kids.
Laura B says
I live in a townhouse that we are renting. My neighbor was having her boyfriend live here and he wasn’t on the lease. The rental office was aware of this. This tenants boyfriend keyed my car and another tenants car. Myself and the other tenant wrote to the rental office telling them how afraid we are of him. We were told that a letter was sent to this tenant that if her boyfriend comes on the property she’d be evicted. He stayed away for a while but is now back and the rental office won’t do anything about it. Was told it doesn’t fall under a serious nuisance. At this point I don’t know what to do.
We can’t just pack up and move This rental office doesn’t follow the lease at all.
Vic B says
hello i live in an apt complex the other day i fell because there was a bottle mixed in the leaves in my parking lot. i just had surgery on my knee in may i fell on that same knee. but i spoke to a lawyer and they are saying they dont know if it is the apt complex fault or not. because someone could have dropped it after hour of office closing but the office is hardly ever open
Kay kaeser says
We rent a house that is clearly out if codes it has ominous smells coming from it that are getting all of us sick