My apartment complex sucks

[Rescue]

You have 2 options as far as the gas leak goes. One being to contact the gas company. They will send someone out to check it out. The second, which if I was you I would do because it’s going to get someone’s attention is to call 911. As a volunteer firefighter I know what there response is going to be, or at least should be. They will send out a few engines, a few cops, and a few ambulances. They will evacuate the building and the surrounding buildings and block off the area. This will get someone’s attention.

As far as the mail goes. Like a few others said, contact your post office. Fucking with mail is a federal offence. The company maybe the one who has to pay for the mail box but under federal law technically the post office owns it.

As far as the bug problem you could look into contacting someone from the city. Not really sure who but my guess would be the building inspector. Most cities will go after slum lords.

Make sure you document everything so incase you do have to go to court over this you have the proof.

[sb]

Rent Strike. Open a new account. Deposit your rent. Show documentation to them of your rent in said account that they don't have access to until your shit is fixed.

Pick up a book on your rights. There is one called Renter's Rights, that is specific to NYC but maybe they also have an edition for where you live. Either way there should be something similar you can find your specific rights in at your library.

One thing you didn't mention, is the gas fireplace a primary source of heat or is it luxury? The gas leak is a major thing. Them not fixing that is huge, aka could lead to manslaughter and neglect charges huge. Your landlord should be responsible for fixing that, however you can call your gas provider to check it though they will most likely shut down your gas until the situation is fixed. The thing is you really should have that thing checked by the gas company to make sure it's not putting out emissions (both when its running and when it's supposedly off). I had a friend who's gas heater was doing that and she was slowly giving herself carbon monoxide poisoning.

And I want to second what was said before. Tampering with the mail is a federal offense. Whoever changed your locks without your permission and without giving you a key has broken a major law.

Also as mentioned before, I would find your lease the lease you signed.

[tyven]

In Northern Virginia 925 for a one bedroom in crap condition is kind of low.

[6souls]

and yeah... where the fuck do you live in virginia paying 925 for a one bedroom? my new place is 625 for a one bedroom and it's about a 10 minute walk from downtwon minneapolis... and shit ain't cheap here at all.

i'm paying $550 for a 1 bedroom in saint paul (como park area). i have a bus line right outside my place that goes to either downtown.

[wintersquall]

6souls, i used to bartend over there haha was at the american for beer and pizza last night actually.

25th and blaisdell, one block east of nicollet (eat street), moving in june 1. 10 min walk to downtown, 10 min walk to uptown/lynlake. sure, i could have a much nicer apartment in st. paul for cheaper rent, but when it comes to where you live there is only ONE rule.

location, location, location.



anyway, the OPs situation is fucked and heads should roll. seriously.

[Mizango]

$925 for a 1 bedroom apartment lol

Really not that far out of the ballpark. But in my part of NY $925 will get you a much better 1 bedroom then the shit this dude is being put through.

Man that is fucking insane! We had a 2 story, 3 bdrm, 2 bath home that we had built just outside of Charlotte (In Concord) about a half mile behind Lowe's motor speedway. Our mortgage was $908.67 per month. Seeing people pay that for a 1 bdrm apt is unbelievable.

[Shuemue]

$925 for a 1 bedroom apartment lol

Really not that far out of the ballpark. But in my part of NY $925 will get you a much better 1 bedroom then the shit this dude is being put through.

Man that is fucking insane! We had a 2 story, 3 bdrm, 2 bath home that we had built just outside of Charlotte (In Concord) about a half mile behind Lowe's motor speedway. Our mortgage was $908.67 per month. Seeing people pay that for a 1 bdrm apt is unbelievable.

If I were to rent out my 1 bedroom place in London, I'd EASILY get $1500/month.

[Denchi]

6souls, i used to bartend over there haha was at the american for beer and pizza last night actually.

25th and blaisdell, one block east of nicollet (eat street), moving in june 1. 10 min walk to downtown, 10 min walk to uptown/lynlake. sure, i could have a much nicer apartment in st. paul for cheaper rent, but when it comes to where you live there is only ONE rule.

location, location, location.



anyway, the OPs situation is fucked and heads should roll. seriously.

LAWL ST PAUL!!! Minneapolis ftw.

I'll be in fantastic Edina all summer. But I will be going to St. Paul for the rock climbing gym over there...... it's too bad it's in St. Paul, though. blah.

[Mizango]

$925 for a 1 bedroom apartment lol

Really not that far out of the ballpark. But in my part of NY $925 will get you a much better 1 bedroom then the shit this dude is being put through.

Man that is fucking insane! We had a 2 story, 3 bdrm, 2 bath home that we had built just outside of Charlotte (In Concord) about a half mile behind Lowe's motor speedway. Our mortgage was $908.67 per month. Seeing people pay that for a 1 bdrm apt is unbelievable.

If I were to rent out my 1 bedroom place in London, I'd EASILY get $1500/month.

...........


Holy shit.

[Norelco]

Our mortgage was $908.67 per month. Seeing people pay that for a 1 bdrm apt is unbelievable.

Yeah, but mortgage and rent are two entirely different things. I actually just bought a house and my mortage is under $800, but you have to factor in an extra $5000+ in taxes (go go NY), plus higher utilities + insurance etc.

At least I went from 800 sq. ft. to 1800.

[Osede]

And also, not sure if OP is a student or not. If so, you might can ask your school/university to help you to solve for this kind of issue. Since during last time, my previuos apartment management never return any deposite to those international student who left the apartment after the lease end, they will just simply use whatever reason to took all of your deposite. until 2-3 years ago, the internation student office in the university just stand out and help the students to get back what they are suppose to get.

[Norelco]

And also, not sure if OP is a student or not. If so, you might can ask your school/university to help you to solve for this kind of issue. Since during last time, my previuos apartment management never return any deposite to those international student who left the apartment after the lease end, they will just simply use whatever reason to took all of your deposite. until 2-3 years ago, the internation student office in the university just stand out and help the students to get back what they are suppose to get.

You definitely sound like an international student.

[The Blackrose]

Osede is correct in that some, if not most universities have some sort of legal clinic that will work on behalf of the university and students. This is as long as the situation does not present a conflict of interest (ie. the landlord has ties to the university in some form, as in being a current student).

Regarless, I second the "get a lawyer and document everything" part. This has potential to get very ugly.

Also, report your situation with the mailbox to USPS ASAP. I'm sure your landlord would love to have the feds up his/her ass.

[Titanss]

Posting in a Ivve thread.

[ozz]

tried reading, all i saw was SUESUESUE and CALLTHEFEDS,so if someone already said this..sorry

anyway I own 40 units, if something's broken bitching gets you no where, if you send a letter to..whoever, they have 1 week to fix your problems or arrange to fix them, if they don't you're allowed to withold rent

[Osede]

And also, not sure if OP is a student or not. If so, you might can ask your school/university to help you to solve for this kind of issue. Since during last time, my previuos apartment management never return any deposite to those international student who left the apartment after the lease end, they will just simply use whatever reason to took all of your deposite. until 2-3 years ago, the internation student office in the university just stand out and help the students to get back what they are suppose to get.

You definitely sound like an international student.

you are right >.>

Two out of three of my friends never recieved their deposite back. And the other friend he got his partial deposite back, which is after our school change the policy on helping students get back their deposite and etc.

[Tyche]

Our mortgage was $908.67 per month. Seeing people pay that for a 1 bdrm apt is unbelievable.

Yeah, but mortgage and rent are two entirely different things. I actually just bought a house and my mortage is under $800, but you have to factor in an extra $5000+ in taxes (go go NY), plus higher utilities + insurance etc.

At least I went from 800 sq. ft. to 1800.

$770 (Was $715, but went up with tax increase) a month including insurance and taxes (I roll them into an escrow account that pays out yearly, factored into monthly mortgage payment). 3 Bedroom, 2 full bath, 2 story house that is almost 2000 sq ft. Utilities run anywhere from 100 (during the summer) to close to $400 (during the cold winter) a month. The largest difference is probably upkeep. Maitenance and remodeling comes out of your pocket. I've dropped some absurd amount of cash into remodeling and upgrading stuff that people who rent apartments would be oblivious to (insulating pipe, submersible pumps for the crawlspace, landscaping, MOWING YOUR OWN YARD FUCK I HATE THIS).

[Dmitry]

The funniest thing I think would be to report the mailbox thing. On top of having to deal with the building codes not being up to par, he would have the government on him for that.

[jmc]

Easy fix to this.

Inspectional Services!

You can call 911, and the fire department will respond and tell the owners to fix up the leak ASAP!

HOWEVER

If you call inspectional services, they will come check out the scene......see there is a problem, call the fire department. Then they will be required to check every apartment he/she owns and write up citations for every violation they notice (which can be very expensive).

So......

Fire department = Stuff gets fixed, owner embarrassed.

Inspectional services = Stuff gets fixed, Owner embarrassed, owner pays hefty fines.

[Pamelita]

=(

I hope you move to a better place. It sounds ridiculous. When heads roll, tell us. =D