by Lina :-p
Member since:
May 11, 2006

I am just a tad angry right now!

December 16, 2008 02:33 PM EST (Updated: December 16, 2008 02:37 PM EST)
views: 60 | rating: 10/10 (18 votes) | comments: 24

Lets see, it has been 18 days since we sent off our rent check and our "we are concerned about mold" letter via certified mail to the landlords. As of today the letter STILL has not been claimed and is sitting at the post office.

N called the landlord this weekend about it and the response was "well, we've been busy and we figured it was returned to you already". She then said once it was returned to us we could "drop it by some store of theirs" or she could come by and pick it up from us.

Yeah, you are going to have to come by and get it from us since your laziness is not our issue. We sent the letter off to you like we are legally required to and you were too lazy to claim the dang thing, not our problem!

So like I said it has been 18 days since we sent our letter and rent off and the landlord doesn't seem to have any desire to get it. This raised some questions for us so we looked at county records and found that our landlord owns 38 other houses (not including this one) just within this county.

Well no wonder they don't care about cashing our rent check, they have tons of money coming in! Now N thinks they are acting unresponsive and avoiding our communications because they know they are caught and have wronged us.

Like I said in a previous posts I am fairly certain we have a mold issue just based upon the home's age and the leaky basement situation. Our basement is finished, here have a look:

I think the electric heater/ fireplace thingy gives the decor age away don't you?

Then there is the wood siding and the indoor/ outdoor carpet that is water stained from our recent floods.

Check out the green cabinets! Those scream 1970 to me.

So I am wondering... If all the decor and "finishing" in the basement is that old and there is such a big leak issue down there. How many years of mold growth do you think there are?

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Comments: 24

mary bryant Dec 16, 2008, 2:34pm EST
Be very careful of the mold issue
Chelle M. Dec 16, 2008, 2:36pm EST
Jeez. When we were at the apartments, if the rent was turned in after like the 6th of the month they started throwing fits. It does sound like they are avoiding you. Being too busy to pick up the money that they are owed?

Sorry you have to go through such stupid crud!
Angela A. Dec 16, 2008, 2:39pm EST
If you don't hear from them soon, I would go and file a police report. If they don't fix the mold problem and it causes you to be sick, they could get in serious trouble. Not to mention, that mold kills. It's especially bad for those who have lung problems.
I would not let the issue slide. Do something before it's too late.
Lina :-p Dec 16, 2008, 2:39pm EST
I just don't know what the next step is. Legally our butts are covered with the rent thing since it was postmarked by 11/28 so they can't charge us late fees or anything.

We just went out and bought 4 mold test kits for like $50.00 and are going to test the house but we can't afford to hire an attorney so if we do have mold what do we do?
Sarah P. Dec 16, 2008, 2:41pm EST
You've got to have a landlord commission in your city somewhere... find it, call them, call the building inspectors and have them come out! I'm sure you do have mold under that carpet... that's where it sets in! Wow, do something and show them who's boss.. Tell them that their rent is at the post office waiting for them to pick it up and that's where it will remain, it's not your duty to convenience them!
Rebecca [Future Teacher] Dec 16, 2008, 2:43pm EST
I saw your photos earlier, it does look like you have a mold problem, and the landlords need to address it. I'd be looking at the contract and getting legal advice at this point. The mold is a serious issue still and I'd have someone look at it, you never know what it could be.
Angela A. Dec 16, 2008, 2:43pm EST
I would file a claim with the Department of health. And, if you can't afford an attorney, you could see about going to an office that does Pro Bono work, or in other words, some lawyers will take your case and not charge you.
If it's a health issue, the landlords can not ignore you.
DiAnA D. Dec 16, 2008, 2:48pm EST
scary stuff..
Candy S. Dec 16, 2008, 3:05pm EST
call the county you are in and report them. They sound like a slum lord that doesnt take care of there homes. Will get people in there and just care about the money not repairs.
Maria W. Dec 16, 2008, 3:17pm EST
What Angela A. said.
Elaine S. Dec 16, 2008, 3:37pm EST
I agree with Angela
Kimberly L. Dec 16, 2008, 3:49pm EST
My suggestion is that you immediately call the health department and report them. Also, call the City Attorney's office and the District Attorney's office and find out what your rights are and how to force them to deal with this. Also, call the local Bar Association and get a name of an attorney who will take the case on a contingency basis. When you contact the attorney, make sure to tell them that you can email him/her the photos you just posted.
Kimberly L. Dec 16, 2008, 3:50pm EST
Don't wait any longer to call the health department and get some help. This could seriously affect your health and you don't want that.
sheila ~the hapless housewife~ j. Dec 16, 2008, 3:53pm EST
I don't think they're lazy about the letter, they just don't want to have to sign for it because they know they're in the wrong. If I were you, I wouldn't take it to them because then they've won and you have no official signature.
Lina :-p Dec 16, 2008, 4:05pm EST
Sheila,
Now that you mention it I think you are right! We'll just have to refuse to hand it over and tell them that we sent it back out via certified letter again. Make them sign for it.
Lina :-p Dec 16, 2008, 4:07pm EST
Thanks Kimberly L.!
I am looking up those contact right now!
*Carol ~Bronx Southern Belle D. Dec 16, 2008, 5:36pm EST
Wow. This is terrible.
Meez 3D avatar avatars games
Join La La Land
Merry Christmas
Netty B. Dec 16, 2008, 6:28pm EST
Wow, that could be very serious.
Netty B. Dec 16, 2008, 6:28pm EST
By the way, I like your "well stocked" bar!
Marianne R. Dec 16, 2008, 6:34pm EST
I'm surprised they still haven't picked it up
Do you see an evidence of mold?
Is there any indication of how long the leaking has been going on? Just because it is an older home doesn't mean that it has been leaking all along. Although I don't know the history here.
How old is the carpet, that is a question I would ask & would they be willing to rip it out & put in tile, even the self-stick kind?
Sheila Deeth Dec 17, 2008, 8:42pm EST
Interesting. Moving on to read the outcome.
Elizabeth S. Dec 18, 2008, 4:12pm EST
I've never had a basement so this is all new to me. Aren't they supposed to be built to keep out the elements?
Beth - Doing God's work Daily J. Jan 28, 2009, 7:26am EST
Be careful.. I would like to know what the outcome was.

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