Should My land Lord Put me in a hotel (apartment, renters)

[AMBERS1987]

A hot water pipe busted under the floor in my apartment. the hot water has started to create bubbling in the flooring as well as the floor is extremely hot. To hot to walk on barefoot. The hot floor has also made it very hard for us to sleep or function in the house. You have to walk thru my living room to get to the main door.

The landlord says I could stay with family if I don't think this is safe while they do work. Tomorrow he will start to dig up all the flooring and the concrete. I don't have family to accommodate my family of five. My youngest is 9 months old and I cant let him near the hot floor. When he got close to it he jumped and cried.

Its so hot in my house. I asked the land lord to check us into a hotel asap. he is hesitant. I asked him about his property insurance and he says he cant use them for whatever reason. I told him I do not want a rent discount. I just need a place for my family to stay until they are done. he says the work will take 3-5 day starting tomorrow. but i refuse to stay there another night with the dangerous floor.

I'm trying to find out why he is being so hesitant to help us. The leak has spread all over the living room. It feels like you are walking on hot coals. When they start the work there will be concrete holes in the grown and they will also have to replace the flooring in the whole apartment because he doesn't have access to the matching flooring.

Am i wrong for demanding to be put in a hotel?

[reenzz]

If you were smart enough to get renters insurance, you insurance will cover your hotel stay. The landlord is not required to put you up in a hotel. He can not charge you rent for the time the unit is uninhabitable.

[AMBERS1987]

Thank you I didn't know that. I will take the rent adjustment. If he offers. I'm not sure where we can stay. I didn't have renters insurance. How should the rent adjustment work. Should he refund me or take it off of next month

[froglipz]

Keep your hotel receipts! Renters insurance is really cheap!

[AMBERS1987]

Should I sign up now, for renters insurance? Before he starts the work

[2sleepy]

Originally Posted by AMBERS1987

Should I sign up now, for renters insurance? Before he starts the work

You can buy it now, but I think it would be fraud to file a claim for something that happened before you purchased coverage. I would ask the landlord to work with you and put temporary flooring on top of the damaged parts of the floor to protect you and your children, a few sheets of plywood would probably mitigate most of the problem.

[AMBERS1987]

Yes I see. I understand. Thank you to the post you guys have sent me. I've talk to him and he has agreed to discount 350 from the rent next month and we will stay with a friend for 2nights. Thank you all

[nightlysparrow]

Get his offer IN WRITING!

[jribe]

Originally Posted by AMBERS1987

Yes I see. I understand. Thank you to the post you guys have sent me. I've talk to him and he has agreed to discount 350 from the rent next month and we will stay with a friend for 2nights. Thank you all

the discount should be prorated for the amount of time the unit is uninhabitable. So if you're monthly rent is $2,000 and you cannot use the unit for 5 days the discount should be roughly $67 per day or $334 (2,000/30)

Do get renters insurance - but they will not pay for something that already happened. But it will help protect you next time, you will need to read the terms carefully to make sure what you want (like hotel reimbursement) is covered as not all companies have the same terms.

[California Vagabond]

The Coalition for Economic Survival sponsors free tenants rights clinics, that allow renters to consult with attorneys. Details:

CES Tenants' Rights Clinic

I suggest arriving early, if you decide to go.