Hi,
I recently moved into an apartment earlier this year. Upon move in, the place was filthy and a host of things were broken, but it was agreed that the issues would be rectified. However, things got worse.
A list:
1. Multiple instances of the landlord entering the apartment to show it to potential tenants as a benchmark for apartments under renovation.
2. Landlord gave keys to my apartment to construction crew to use to their leisure while I was away for work. I came back to the toilet clogged and overflowing, and half full coffee cups everywhere, as well as bootprints and dirt everywhere.
3. Intercom does not work most of the time.
4. There was no heat when it was cold (I do mean none. I clocked my temp in the apt at 45 F on a few nights.)
5. Paint falling and chipping all over the bathroom.
6. Apartment is still pretty dirty. I can't seem to get the tub or shower tiles clean.
7. The toilet has started bubbling and smelling foul over the course of the day and night.
I pay my rent early in full every month. I don't make any noise (I go to school half the day, work half the day, and have a second job at night). I keep to myself.The apartment is not rent controlled and I pay the going rate in my neighborhood.
My main issue of concern is the toilet. I have had the locks changed already to rectify the other issues, but the stench is unbearable. My emails are mostly ignored, my texts are ignored, and my maintenance requests have pretty much gone unanswered (the foreign maintenance guy came by once for about a minute and told me he smelled nothing and implied I was making things up).
I consulted with an attorney who said I should send a polite email to the company as a whole stating my issues and what I would like done. I also mentioned that legal counsel had been retained and that they had 7 days to respond with a solution.
The landlord came by the next morning with the maintenance guy, and I could see what was going on. They were both acting as if nothing smelled or was occurring. My guess is that they know what the issue is, but deem it too expensive to fix. I'm in a ground floor apartment sandwiched between the elevator and stairs, so it's possible I'm the only one complaining.
I'm at my wit's end. I'm worried about my health (this can't be healthy) and I'm worried about my safety (It could be flammable gas). I live in a small studio apartment with the stove right outside the bathroom.
Any advice?
Thanks.