Issues with apt property management... (Arlington: apartments, rent, countertops)

[Csj50]

My husband and I rent a 1-br in Arlington, where construction has been taking place in the lower level apartments to improve the HVAC system- this has required cutting a large hole in the ceiling. We were informed of this beforehand, and received a phone call from the PM (Property Manager) on Friday that a hole in the kitchen would be cut; fine. We came home from vacation on Saturday and found our kitchen in complete dust- like it hadn't been touched in decades. Absolutely filthy, and completely against what the PM had promised in a letter (that maintenance would be following up after each visit to make sure the units were left habitable and free of debris). My husband and I spent hours cleaning the kitchen (by the time we had arrived home, the office had closed); and worst, my cat who has had no health issues (and only 4 years old) had an asthma attack in the middle of the night, resulting in a horrifying trip to the emergency hospital, most likely from the debris left from construction. Sent an email on Sunday notifying the office about the conditions of our apartment, with pictures attached of how our apartment was left- they offered to clean the next morning (today), but found that to be a pretty lame excuse, as we had already cleaned the kitchen.

Low and behold, this morning, right at 9 AM, while my husband and I were asleep, five men were knocking outside our door; to cut a second hole, this time in the living room. We were never informed of this, and I was especially upset as my cat is still recovering. Not only that, when I expressed my frustrations to the workers about not cleaning up after themselves after working in the kitchen, they refuted that they didn't have to, since everything else is being covered in plastic. I went straight to the office and demanded to speak to the PM, who was off today, but was persistent in having him call me from his cell phone. I explained my frustrations, and was again told that maintenance would follow up with every visit from the workers; hasn't happened again. I explained that I sometimes work night shifts (I'm an RN), and to have someone knock on your door unexpectedly at 9AM is equivalent to the traditional employee being woken up at 1AM to have a hole cut in your ceiling, and that at the very LEAST, someone could have called either my husband or I to inform us what would be happening. I asked the PM if there is a unit we can temporarily stay in until this mess is over, and he says no. Offers me nothing to alleviate the situation, and is irritated with me ("Today is my day off") except repeating that maintenance would come and check our unit; again, has not happened today. On top of all this, after they made the hole in our living room, the electricity was out in that room after they left, and had to call maintenance for them to repair it (construction had pulled the wires while working).

All this work is to continue until Nov. 6., which also includes no heat until then. IMO, this is not a habitable condition, nor is the complex promising to do what they promised. PM was very irritated with me on the phone (do not care), and again, hasn't done anything to alleviate the situation. My friends think that we should try to negotiate the rent- HIGHLY doubt they would do that. Is there anyone I could file a complaint with? The County?

[Megadell]

Are you talking about Park Adams?

[Csj50]

Sure am!

[DrRuthie]

Read up on the Landlord Tenant Act for your remedies. Then write a letter to management demanding they abide by the law and requesting what you desire (based on the law). I did this for a water leak in my apartment after a verbal request was ignored...they quickly remedied the situation and I ended up getting more than I requested. This was in Arlington as well, different management company.

[boyd888]

Originally Posted by DrRuthie

Read up on the Landlord Tenant Act for your remedies. Then write a letter to management demanding they abide by the law and requesting what you desire (based on the law).

...which they could just ignore until the work is done in a week. It sucks, but I just don't see any recourse for the OP given that the work will be done before the legal system will be able to do anything about it. It never hurts to put things into motion just in case they aren't done or there are lingering issues, but frankly this is just something you have to deal with when you live in someone else's property.

[JasperJade]

Wow, sounds hellish. I would ask for a refund on a portion of the rent for the time that the apartment was inhospitable. Of course, if it was truly inhospitable, I'd be staying in a hotel and asking them to either reimburse me or take an equivalent amount off the rent.

FWIW, whenever there is work like that, it's a good idea to board your pets. Inconvenient, perhaps, but better than risking the animal's health and paying vet bills.

Also, it's a good idea to remove all countertop items and invest in your own drop cloths. They should have at least covered everything, but again, while it's an expense and a PITA to make preparations yourself, it's better than coming home to find your appliances, countertops, cupboards, and floors covered in dirt. And if it looks like Dexter's kill room, maybe it will give them pause before they leave the place trashed.

[Cleverbeetle98]

Originally Posted by Megadell

Are you talking about Park Adams?

Yikes! Currently thanking my lucky stars I didn't end up renting there :/

[KnownUnknown]

Logging in with a different account, Megadell here. Anyway, my experience with Park Adams hasn't been anything short of great. That's not to downplay what the OP has experienced, but I've never had any issues with the building.

So just keep that into consideration.