What happens if I call 311?? (Philadelphia: lease, condo, mattress)

[MissClutterbuck]

To make a short story short, some new people have moved into my building and they don't understand the trash collection rules, even though our building condo association has the rules posted twice in the vestibule.

It's my understanding that, according to Philly law, any mattresses including futon mattresses must be disposed of in a mattress bag to avoid the possible spread of bed bugs.

Well, there's been a futon mattress in front of my building for the past two weeks and the sanitation department won't take it. I realize that Philly's Streets Dept. is less than stellar at collecting garbage, but in this case it seems like if the person throwing the mattress away had followed the rules, the mattress would be gone.

What should I do? If I call 311, will they fine the owners? I'd hate for it to come to that, but I have already made my landlord aware of the situation and he seems to not really care. I don't want to be a "snitch" but I've lived in this neighborhood for a while and its a nice street, so the bad habits of my fellow building dwellers are making it look awful.

(I realize in the grand scheme of things this isn't the end of the world, but I'm tired of my street looking like a dump.)

[sj08054]

Call 311 and let them handle it. Someone will come out and owner will get a fine. In some lease, owner will make tenant pay the fine (at least that's what I do).

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by sj08054

Call 311 and let them handle it.

You actually will get results from calling it. My sister has called it a few times and whatever she called about was taken care of pretty swiftly.

The point is there's no harm in calling it, so to the OP: call it.

Most landlords, who own condo units, are absentee "investors". All they care about is getting your rent.

[MissClutterbuck]

Originally Posted by sj08054

Call 311 and let them handle it. Someone will come out and owner will get a fine. In some lease, owner will make tenant pay the fine (at least that's what I do).

This was my thought, because I feel like unless people start getting hit in the wallet, no one is going to do what they are supposed to.

You actually will get results from calling it. My sister has called it a few times and whatever she called about was taken care of pretty swiftly.

The point is there's no harm in calling it, so to the OP: call it.

Most landlords, who own condo units, are absentee "investors". All they care about is getting your rent.

I've had mixed results from calling them, especially when it was the city's fault, but I have a feeling that they will act on this. I just wasn't sure if they would fine the owners or not.

[sj08054]

Just submit it here.

Philadelphia Streets Department

I've received fines as a LL when tenants are not responsible. I get a letter with pictures. I now include wording in my lease that tenants are responsible. One of my tenant had to pay $50 for a mattress outside. They told me that it was a neighbor that put it in front of my house but I told them that they are still responsible.

Owner ultimately will have to pay the fine (if tenant doesn't pay) because it will be marked as violation on the property.

[ionlyused59]

I've called 311 before regarding cleaning up graffiti. It was quick, great service. I didn't realize this free removal service was available until recently.

Op: You're not a snitch. You say they don't understand the trash collection rules. Is it possible they just don't care? You just take pride in your neighborhood and your block. We need more of that, in my opinion.