what to do when Landlord Lies and says basement doesn't leak!

[ctcsoft]

I just moved in a place 2 weeks ago and we got our 1st real good rain in awhile.

The basement is finished with carpet except for the laundry/storage room area.

The place isn't flooded but it clearly does leak and things did get wet if they were on the edges or walls.

Me and my SO both asked if the basement leaked at all and he told us it used to but he had fixed it. I'm renting a townhouse that was built in the 70's.

What are my options? I've snapped so digital pics earlier this morning.

 

[waggy]

depends on local renters laws.

BUT IL does have some strong ones. depends on what city you are in though. Hopefully you are in a college town (dekalb) has some good ones.

edit: THOUGH this can let you move out without penality. I would be looking for another place. the mold would cause my allergies to go nuts.

 

[spherrod]

well he should immediately rectify the leak if he hasn't fixed it properly - if not, dependent on where you should have various legal options

 

[ctcsoft]

Originally posted by: waggy
depends on local renters laws.

BUT IL does have some strong ones. depends on what city you are in though. Hopefully you are in a college town (dekalb) has some good ones.

edit: THOUGH this can let you move out without penality. I would be looking for another place. the mold would cause my allergies to go nuts.

Can't mold be poisonous? I watched a show on TV once where a whole family got sick from mold in there house.

I want to move now, but its hard finding a place around here in a good neighborhood. Wouldn't mind buying but I'm not sure how long I will live here.

 

[stars]

Mold can be bad. I suggest a shallow grave for him in the basement.

 

[ch33zw1z]

you take pictures, and if it affects your health...see a physician and make sure he notes what it's due to. cover as many bases as possible so your landlord has no way out but to fix the basement.

 

[andy9o]

Originally posted by: stars
Mold can be bad. I suggest a shallow grave for him in the basement.

thats just sick.

when the basements leaks, the body will rot, get really rank... better off in the walls.

 

[ctcsoft]

well i spend alot of time in the basement. thats where the computers/desks and a tv are.

So its got me all sorts of worried. Health wise and damage to my belongings.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: ctcsoft
well i spend alot of time in the basement. thats where the computers/desks and a tv are.

So its got me all sorts of worried. Health wise and damage to my belongings.

Put stuff up off the floor. do your best to protect it. just no way of knowing if it bust if you can get it replaced.

I would take pictures of everything. then send a Certified letter to the landlord stating that he said it did not leak but it has been. ask him to fix it or help you find another place to live.


I have bad asthma and allergies. I would be looking for another place ASAP. Not to mention talking to a attorney since he would be paying for me to move.

 

[stars]

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/airpollution/mold/moldfacts.htm

 

[labgeek]

Originally posted by: andy9o

Originally posted by: stars
Mold can be bad. I suggest a shallow grave for him in the basement.

thats just sick.

when the basements leaks, the body will rot, get really rank... better off in the walls.

Nah...

1. Get 6 piggies
2. Starve them for a few days
3...
4. Profit

 

[lightpants]

Have you told the landlord that it leaks?

Is it possible that he thought he had it fixed and the heavy rain caused it to leak? Maybe if you tell him, he will have someone take a look at it and fix it right.


I had a tenet once that told me his hot water didn't last more then 5 minutes when he took a shower. I had a repair person check it out, and he told me he fixed it. I told the tenet that it was fixed and to tell me if there were any more problems. The next month he tried to withhold his rent by saying, "My hot water still stops after 5 minutes in the shower." I asked him how I was to know that as he never told me it hadn't been fixed correctly. I got the rent, and had someone fix his hot water heater.


Most landlords try to keep their property in good condition, let them know as soon as something goes wrong, and they will fix it. The problem is, no one ever hears those stories. You just hear stories of slumlords and leaking roofs that never get fixed.

 

[bonkers325]

ask the landlord to come out and look at it, or show him pics of it leaking.

 

[HBalzer]

I have heard you can talk to a judge and set up an account where you pay your rent directly to the court and no one can touch it until the issue is resolved.

 

[Kelemvor]

Let him know IN WRITING and ask him to fix it ASAP. Keep a copy of what you went him, date it, etc. Then if anything happens again and stuff gets ruined, you can get him to pay to replace all the items.

If he's just an ass, then you can always contact the local housing department or a tenant/landlord attorney if you want to go that route but then the rest of your stay will probably be pretty hellish.

 

[zerocool1]

Originally posted by: CDC
My landlord or builder will not take any responsibility for cleaning up the mold in my home. Where can I go for help?

If you feel your property owner, landlord, or builder has not been responsive to concerns you?ve expressed regarding mold exposure, you can contact your local board of health or housing authority. Applicable codes, insurance, inspection, legal, and similar issues about mold generally fall under state and local (not federal) jurisdiction. You could also review your lease or building contract and contact local or state government authorities, your insurance company, or an attorney to learn more about local codes and regulations and your legal rights. CDC does not have enforcement power in such matters, nor can we provide you with advice. You can contact your county or state health department about mold issues in your area to learn about what mold assessment and remediation services they may offer. You can find information on your state?s Indoor Air Quality program at http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/airpollution/indoor_air.htm

 

[iluvtruenos]

kick him in the nuts.

 

[ctcsoft]

Originally posted by: lightpants
Have you told the landlord that it leaks?

Is it possible that he thought he had it fixed and the heavy rain caused it to leak? Maybe if you tell him, he will have someone take a look at it and fix it right.


I had a tenet once that told me his hot water didn't last more then 5 minutes when he took a shower. I had a repair person check it out, and he told me he fixed it. I told the tenet that it was fixed and to tell me if there were any more problems. The next month he tried to withhold his rent by saying, "My hot water still stops after 5 minutes in the shower." I asked him how I was to know that as he never told me it hadn't been fixed correctly. I got the rent, and had someone fix his hot water heater.







He is out of town due to his brother dying. I give him a fair chance to make this right but suspicion tells me that I was lied to. There is also 2 faucets in bathrooms that leak. One has a slow drip drip to it and the other leaks out around the faucet when turned out.

If this was my rental then I'd take better care of it and inspect it better before I rented it to someone. He mentioned that he does the "handyman repairs" himself. So maybe thats the problem.
Most landlords try to keep their property in good condition, let them know as soon as something goes wrong, and they will fix it. The problem is, no one ever hears those stories. You just hear stories of slumlords and leaking roofs that never get fixed.