I have been having an issue with the washer/dryer in my condo for over two weeks now..this is the second time I had an issue. I have only been in the condo since mid-March. After using it once or twice in the beginning, it started to leak from underneath. I informed her and it took her over two weeks to get a plumber out. Apparently, he snaked out a clog or something. She told me this happened in... [more]
I have been having an issue with the washer/dryer in my condo for over two weeks now..this is the second time I had an issue. I have only been in the condo since mid-March.
After using it once or twice in the beginning, it started to leak from underneath. I informed her and it took her over two weeks to get a plumber out. Apparently, he snaked out a clog or something.
She told me this happened in the past, before I moved in.
So the washer worked for about 1 1/2 week and long behold, it started leaking again. mind you, we don't even use it much, maybe twice a week.
So I informed her, and she still hasn't sent someone out.
Also, had a big leak from the storm on Friday...water coming in one of my windows. Took two towels to soak it up. Told her this and she sounded annoyed and said she would send someone over to calk it....so far, nothing. And she brought up the washer, saying it cost her $800 for the plumber last time and she was "trying to get someone".
I am really fed up and ready to move out of this place. I feel she is one step away from a slumlord. I shudder to think what will happen if/when there is a big problem, such as a sewage back up or something.
My next step is to send a certified letter demanding repairs, and asking to be let out of lease if she does not want to do so.
Does anyone think maybe she is just trying to get rid of us? I never had a landlord just flat out ignore me like this.
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Response by Squid
over 12 years ago
Posts: 1399
Member since: Sep 2008
--Does anyone think maybe she is just trying to get rid of us? I never had a landlord just flat out ignore me like this.--
No, she'd just a typical cheakskate dumba** who cannot see the forest for the trees. Active leaks? That's right, ignore 'em and they'll go away. You might remind her that by letting the problem linger it will worsen and may turn into something far more catastrophic. Leaks are funny that way.
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Response by Squid
over 12 years ago
Posts: 1399
Member since: Sep 2008
^^ cheapskate I mean ^^
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Response by jen5276
over 12 years ago
Posts: 13
Member since: Dec 2012
I agree she's a cheapskate. I really want to get get out of this place, and am going to request breaking the lease to her.
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Response by greensdale
over 12 years ago
Posts: 3804
Member since: Sep 2012
She is renting it out because she doesn't want to deal with making necessary repairs in order to sell it into a market that will no longer give her bubble pricing. That's what many condo owners do.
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Response by jen5276
over 12 years ago
Posts: 13
Member since: Dec 2012
You are probably right...do you guys think she will give me a problem with breaking the lease? I know it's hard to say...but she seems to have no problem finding renters (she owns two condos in this development)....
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Response by streetsmart
over 12 years ago
Posts: 883
Member since: Apr 2009
You have got to show heart as they say. Withhold your rent. If she is that cheap she won't take you to court and if she does be assured the judge will be on your side.
Take pictures and include a newspaper to indicate the date. No need to hire a lawyer, if she sues, demand an inspector before trial.
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Response by alanhart
over 12 years ago
Posts: 12397
Member since: Feb 2007
What neighborhood is this in?
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Response by jen5276
over 12 years ago
Posts: 13
Member since: Dec 2012
It's in Staten Island, NY
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Response by greensdale
over 12 years ago
Posts: 3804
Member since: Sep 2012
Judge will not side with someone withholding rent because of a window leak and a washer dryer problem.
Also, "demand an inspector before trial" - of whom do you make this demand?
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Response by jen5276
over 12 years ago
Posts: 13
Member since: Dec 2012
I won't withhold rent...just not the route I want to go.
Just want to request getting out of lease so I can move somewhere else.
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Response by semerun
over 12 years ago
Posts: 571
Member since: Feb 2008
Have you tried contacting the managing agent? Perhaps this is a much larger issue that goes beyond your apartment. Do not simply withhold your rent- speak to an attorney before taking such action because it could lead to a lot larger problems if you do. While I can't speak for your landlord, I am treasurer for my condo. In our case, we were a new construction building with a small developer that broke every law he could. We have had problems such as washing machine drain lines that backup and windows that leak. We have been fixing the problems caused by the developer- but it's a long slow process involving engineers, plumbers, attorney's and the Department of Buildings. In our case, owners that rent out their apartments are not being slumlords or cheapskates for not fixing the problem quickly- because the fixes are very complicated and very expensive. The owners as well as their tenants are anxious to have the problems fixed (as well as management), but it involves a lot of parties- and that rarely means things get fixed quickly.
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Response by renterjoey
over 12 years ago
Posts: 351
Member since: Oct 2011
Why would anyone want to live in Staten Island? In fact Staten Island and Upstate NY should be part of New Jersey.
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Response by jen5276
over 12 years ago
Posts: 13
Member since: Dec 2012
Didn't want to go over my landlord's head and contact management..
Honestly, these condos are terrible for other reasons. The noise transfer from the upstairs unit is awful, I can hear every step they take and the floors are terribly squeaky. These were built in the mid-80s and apparently the builders cut every corner they could.
that's why I really just want to get out...
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Response by semerun
over 12 years ago
Posts: 571
Member since: Feb 2008
My comments might not be applicable. This site is largely biased toward Manhattan and Brooklyn apartment buildings.
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Response by jen5276
over 12 years ago
Posts: 13
Member since: Dec 2012
Yea, this is more of a townhouse type community.
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Response by streetsmart
over 12 years ago
Posts: 883
Member since: Apr 2009
Every tenant who is sued by a landlord for non payment is offered to have an inspector come to the apartment. It's not a demand, it's an entitlement.
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Response by streetsmart
over 12 years ago
Posts: 883
Member since: Apr 2009
Jen, sometimes in order to get what you want you have to do thing to get it. What you want is not necessarily yours for the asking.
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Response by streetsmart
over 12 years ago
Posts: 883
Member since: Apr 2009
Meant to say things
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Response by alanhart
over 12 years ago
Posts: 12397
Member since: Feb 2007
1. Is it possible there is (or should be) a filter in the washing machine? Find model number inside door, and look online for owner's manual to see if there's filter info.
2. Do windows still leak if they are not only closed, but also locked? Locking will also seal them properly so your AC bills are lower (and heat, if you pay for that).
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Response by drdrd
over 12 years ago
Posts: 1905
Member since: Apr 2007
I do think you should take photos so that you can show how it looked before the water damage from the repeated leaks. Do be sure those windows are closed properly so they can't say that you've left them open & thus caused the damage. Try calling perhaps every other day until you get satisfaction but be patient & civil & not angry & insulting. The 'squeaking wheel' & 'more flies with honey' approach. Good luck.
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Response by greensdale
over 12 years ago
Posts: 3804
Member since: Sep 2012
>I do think you should take photos so that you can show how it looked before the water damage from the repeated leaks.
Well, if she can go back in time, maybe just go back a bit more and don't sign the lease.
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Response by columbiacounty
over 12 years ago
Posts: 12708
Member since: Jan 2009
se, why?
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Response by BrooklynNewbie
over 12 years ago
Posts: 70
Member since: Nov 2012
Wow, Jen - sounds like your LL and mine are related.
Good luck.
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Response by greensdale
over 12 years ago
Posts: 3804
Member since: Sep 2012
>The 'squeaking wheel' & 'more flies with honey' approach. Good luck.
As C0lumbiaC0unty knows, you also attract flies with dung.
--Does anyone think maybe she is just trying to get rid of us? I never had a landlord just flat out ignore me like this.--
No, she'd just a typical cheakskate dumba** who cannot see the forest for the trees. Active leaks? That's right, ignore 'em and they'll go away. You might remind her that by letting the problem linger it will worsen and may turn into something far more catastrophic. Leaks are funny that way.
^^ cheapskate I mean ^^
I agree she's a cheapskate. I really want to get get out of this place, and am going to request breaking the lease to her.
She is renting it out because she doesn't want to deal with making necessary repairs in order to sell it into a market that will no longer give her bubble pricing. That's what many condo owners do.
You are probably right...do you guys think she will give me a problem with breaking the lease? I know it's hard to say...but she seems to have no problem finding renters (she owns two condos in this development)....
You have got to show heart as they say. Withhold your rent. If she is that cheap she won't take you to court and if she does be assured the judge will be on your side.
Take pictures and include a newspaper to indicate the date. No need to hire a lawyer, if she sues, demand an inspector before trial.
What neighborhood is this in?
It's in Staten Island, NY
Judge will not side with someone withholding rent because of a window leak and a washer dryer problem.
Also, "demand an inspector before trial" - of whom do you make this demand?
I won't withhold rent...just not the route I want to go.
Just want to request getting out of lease so I can move somewhere else.
Have you tried contacting the managing agent? Perhaps this is a much larger issue that goes beyond your apartment. Do not simply withhold your rent- speak to an attorney before taking such action because it could lead to a lot larger problems if you do. While I can't speak for your landlord, I am treasurer for my condo. In our case, we were a new construction building with a small developer that broke every law he could. We have had problems such as washing machine drain lines that backup and windows that leak. We have been fixing the problems caused by the developer- but it's a long slow process involving engineers, plumbers, attorney's and the Department of Buildings. In our case, owners that rent out their apartments are not being slumlords or cheapskates for not fixing the problem quickly- because the fixes are very complicated and very expensive. The owners as well as their tenants are anxious to have the problems fixed (as well as management), but it involves a lot of parties- and that rarely means things get fixed quickly.
Why would anyone want to live in Staten Island? In fact Staten Island and Upstate NY should be part of New Jersey.
Didn't want to go over my landlord's head and contact management..
Honestly, these condos are terrible for other reasons. The noise transfer from the upstairs unit is awful, I can hear every step they take and the floors are terribly squeaky. These were built in the mid-80s and apparently the builders cut every corner they could.
that's why I really just want to get out...
My comments might not be applicable. This site is largely biased toward Manhattan and Brooklyn apartment buildings.
Yea, this is more of a townhouse type community.
Every tenant who is sued by a landlord for non payment is offered to have an inspector come to the apartment. It's not a demand, it's an entitlement.
Jen, sometimes in order to get what you want you have to do thing to get it. What you want is not necessarily yours for the asking.
Meant to say things
1. Is it possible there is (or should be) a filter in the washing machine? Find model number inside door, and look online for owner's manual to see if there's filter info.
2. Do windows still leak if they are not only closed, but also locked? Locking will also seal them properly so your AC bills are lower (and heat, if you pay for that).
I do think you should take photos so that you can show how it looked before the water damage from the repeated leaks. Do be sure those windows are closed properly so they can't say that you've left them open & thus caused the damage. Try calling perhaps every other day until you get satisfaction but be patient & civil & not angry & insulting. The 'squeaking wheel' & 'more flies with honey' approach. Good luck.
>I do think you should take photos so that you can show how it looked before the water damage from the repeated leaks.
Well, if she can go back in time, maybe just go back a bit more and don't sign the lease.
se, why?
Wow, Jen - sounds like your LL and mine are related.
Good luck.
>The 'squeaking wheel' & 'more flies with honey' approach. Good luck.
As C0lumbiaC0unty knows, you also attract flies with dung.