Bad landlord - 2 weeks with no hot water (Scott: leases, house)
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I have a hot water situation. I notified the landlord since the first day I moved in that the hot water in shower/bath is not working properly. She came to see and stated that the water was warm (which it was, then turned cold minutes after the landlord left the premise). At best, it got slightly warm, but never hot. So I confirmed with her again that there's only cold (and slightly less cold) water 2 days after. I mentioned it to her a few times after that and never got a definite answer from her of what the solution to this will be. It has been 2 weeks since my move in and it's still the same. It seems her excuse was that her brother is the one doing all this work (seem like they both are landlords) and he's away and won't be back until this weekend. She said there would be someone (whom I assumed is her brother) to fix it today, and then today when the time came, she said they cancelled and will come tomorrow instead. NYC is getting colder everyday. I talked to her today about the possibility of not paying full rent because I haven't been getting hot water in the past 2 weeks. She said no and told me that I could have got some hot water from the kitchen sink to take a bath since the hot water there works (kitchen sink and bathroom sink have hot water. Only the bath/shower doesn't). I have been very patient and not calling 311 even though I feel I should have. My roommate and co-lease holder also doesn't want to stay on bad terms with the landlord since the very first month. I guess I shall see if someone will come to fix it tomorrow, but is there anything I can/should do in this situation? I feel I was being treated unfairly but should I just get over it and let it go?
Just be persistent and hold her to her word. If it goes beyond the promised weekend - maybe use stronger language like that you will get someone to do it and deduct it from the rent. But be patient for now, dont want to get off to a bad start.
Just be persistent and hold her to her word. If it goes beyond the promised weekend - maybe use stronger language like that you will get someone to do it and deduct it from the rent. But be patient for now, dont want to get off to a bad start.
I agree. You need to have hot water, And to be able to take an actual shower. I dealt with this frequently in one place I lived so I know how uncomfortable it is. Hold her to her word. A 311 call should be next. Don't worry about "bad terms". You have rights as a paying tenant and not having hot water is not good terms in itself. Let us know how things go.
Be precise, get a thermometer. Hot water needs to be a MINIMUM of 120F, not 119 or 100. If you are not getting that in the bathtub, call the City. Measure often after letting it run for a minute or two and record the time and temperature.
With a schitt landlord like you have, there's no sense trying to stay amicable, it will never work and will come to a head eventually. Might as well be now.
Landlords take advantage of tenants who try to be nice.
What is strange is that the hot water in the bathroom sink is hot but the shower is not. It is usually the same connection.
Unfortunately because those who complain to 311 don't get their leases renewed.
Landlords may retaliate this way, But it sounds better to not live in a place to pay high rents much of the time and not have basics like hot water if nothing changes after bringing it up.
Unfortunately because those who complain to 311 don't get their leases renewed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by D. Scott
Landlords may retaliate this way, But it sounds better to not live in a place to pay high rents much of the time and not have basics like hot water if nothing changes after bringing it up.
Exactly D Scott. I'm not living in a place like that. I need heat and hot water.
My friend called 311 about heating issues on her private house landlord. He got pissed and said if you want to complain, we can just end you lease now. She said perfect. She was more than happy to leave then live in a place without proper heat.
She's a single mother with two children so it was difficult to have to move so suddenly but she did it. I only say that as most always say I don't have the time, money, ect to just move right now so instead they stay on a place thats crappy.
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