Apathetic LL's incompetent "maintenance" men wreaking havoc, what can I do?

[STT Resident]

Originally Posted by b00kish

§ 55-248.5. Exemptions; exception to exemption; application of chapter to certain occupants.
A. Except as specifically made applicable by § 55-248.21:1, the following conditions are not governed by this chapter:

. . .

10. Occupancy in single-family residences where the owner(s) are natural persons or their estates who own in their own name no more than ten single-family residences subject to a rental agreement; or in the case of condominium units or single-family residences located in any city or in any county having either the urban county executive form or county manager plan of government, no more than four.

What's the "chapter" it's referring to? What "exemption"? State landlord tenant laws are virtually uniform in the majority of rights and responsibilities and, as I believe I said before, there are certain minor exemptions applicable to private landlords over multi-unit owners but the things that you're posting about aren't amongst them.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

For your own peace of mind, I suggest you take a deep breath, and live with the house the way it is. Hire someone to clean it. It doesn't sound like anything is an emergency.

I know it's the principle of the thing - but fighting the good fight can be exhausting and ulcer-creating, and not always worth it. I think you ought to let it go and then you shouldn't have to deal with Mutt and Jeff anymore either.

Then, prepare to move at the end of your lease.

[b00kish]

NoMoreSnow, I agree with much of what you say; my main concern is what happens if something else breaks in the house/work these guys have done fails to hold up and needs fixing - the LL will continue to send out Mutt and Jeff for anything and everything, and round and round we go.

[b00kish]

Originally Posted by STT Resident

What's the "chapter" it's referring to? What "exemption"? State landlord tenant laws are virtually uniform in the majority of rights and responsibilities and, as I believe I said before, there are certain minor exemptions applicable to private landlords over multi-unit owners but the things that you're posting about aren't amongst them.

STT, the chapter is 13.2 of the VA Code, more commonly known as the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act: <"http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+TOC55000000013000020000000]LIS"> Code of Virginia

The exemptions are LLs who are exempt from the VALTA, unless a provision in the lease explicitly makes it applicable. The VALTA covers most common tenant solutions, from rent escrow arrangements to constructive eviction to what are considered basic/necessary repairs. It is much more broad and tenant-friendly than the basic fallback provisions in the code, which are probably pretty much like those in other states. (Here is a pretty simple overview of where the VALTA augments the code: <"http://greatexpectations.vccs.edu/wp-content/uploads/Tenant-Rights-in-VA-2-6-3.pdf">)

I'm guessing most of the problems here fall under what is "fit and habitable" and when the LL can have access, but I guess the only solution I can really pursue is trying to get them not to do that anymore. Like I said, that's ok, but maybe I should be trying to think of a way I can ask to have licensed workers on electrical or plumbing issues, or at the very least, not to have those guys (or guys just as inexperienced/careless) banging around in my house? =/

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by b00kish

At first, the LL did not offer a move-in inspection, but I was persistent...
Upon my initial walk through... Two things were in violation of code...
which I guess they just expected me not to notice?

In the rest of the world this sort of thing is known as a clue.

Originally Posted by b00kish

I realize this doesn't mean I have NO rights...

...and among these is the right to pursue happiness however you may define that.
The LL however has no obligation to provide you with your happiness.