Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
How are all of you? I have a quick question on acceptable social behavior, before I take any required action.
As you know I am a foreigner (legal) living and working in Houston. I live in an upscale rental apartment complex near Spring (pay about $1.25 sq/ft in monthly rent) and have been dealing with different issues with my neighbors from upstairs.
There are only two floors with one unit each in my part of the complex. My apartment on the first floor and one above.
In the recent couple of days the upstairs neighbor has dumped what I am told is their ice chest on their landing (i.e. outside their front door upstairs) and all of the water/ice mix has landed right outside my front door - see photos below please.
Is this acceptable behavior? Or should I report it to the management office?
This occurs without notice, and I am concerned that it could wet/hurt someone entering my apartment, or even be a slip hazard due to the ice?
I am not sure whether this is within the domain of my rights as a tenant, or since it is not occurring inside my apartment, although at the entrance to, it is community property and acceptable behavior?
If I should raise the matter, I prefer to do so with the management office.
I appreciate your guidance so I can do the right thing.
Looks like it's under the stairwell, not directly in front of your door. Still, it's disgusting enough to put a call in to the management office. I wouldn't engage the upstairs neighbor....just go to management and let them handle it. Looks like more than water.
Personally, I think it's better to approach the neighbor.
I'd go upstairs, knock on the door and say this, "Hi, I'm Pedro, and I live downstairs from you. The other day, I was bringing in groceries and slipped and nearly busted my bum on the ice and water that ran down from your landing. It caused me to break several beers in a twelve pack I had, which not only upset the beer gods but also was a pain to clean up. In the future, if you could please empty the water and ice in the grass, I'd really appreciate it. Broken beer is bad."
Yes, there is some creative license used to illustrate the point and to add some humor.
I'd try something like this FIRST.
If the management approaches him first, he'll know it's you and then, most likely, think, "Why didn't he just come talk to me? What a #$%^." And then it becomes more of an issue.
The first two photos (nighttime) show the water right outside my front door, while the third photo, taken at a different time, shows the water slightly to the left of my front door.
It seems like this is a violation of the space associated with my apartment, but I do not want to file an unwarranted complaint to the management office.
p.s. It seems like ice? or something else?
Any other thoughts?
I definitely do not want to engage the number as he has engaged in other inconsiderate behavior in the past, related to parking, which I have reported to the management office.
I have no personal friendship or grudge against the neighbor.
If it is a safety issue take these pictures and talk to the management about your concern. Do not engage with the person directly. If possible, ask for the management to move you to a different unit. Build your case based on previous instances.
This is a common thing for inconsiderate neighbors to do. You can complain to the neighbor, but he will likely just cuss at you. You can complain to the property manager, but they'll likely ignore it. Apartment living is terrible.
You can complain to the neighbor, but he will likely just cuss at you.
Maybe, maybe not.
Some people really don't realize what they are doing until it is pointed out, and at that time they modify their behavior.
Some people don't want to be the bad guy, and when you say something to them, they change their behavior.
Personally, I would definitely say something, because it is a safety hazard and an annoyance.
The worst thing that will most likely happen is the neighbor will ignore you and continue the behavior.
I bet that if you approached the neighbor in the way I laid out, he will change the behavior. Just try to keep it polite and a bit light-hearted. If you approach it in an adversarial way, it's much more likely not to be received well.
You nicely approach the neighbor and show pics. If neighbor does not stop this, then do the same with management. You record each time you have a conversation on piece of paper: date, time of day and conversation had on the issue. If all fails, you may have to give an ultimatum to the management that if they don't get the tenant to stop this thing that is potentially creating a safety hazard, you will take the matter to small claims/housing court. In the winter, that water will freeze and you can slip and fall on it. That is a lawsuit waiting to happen.What the hell is wrong with these giamoccas? You have to stand up for yourself. That's all.
Looks like it's under the stairwell, not directly in front of your door. Still, it's disgusting enough to put a call in to the management office. I wouldn't engage the upstairs neighbor....just go to management and let them handle it. Looks like more than water.
+1 looks more than water. Are they washing their car with an ice chest or something? Cause it looks like there's soap.
If your management is e-mail savvy, I'd send them an e-mail and ask generally: is it OK if someone dumps their ice chest out in front of someone's door?
But it just depends on how your complex is ...
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
