What is the best way to seek compensation from a landlord?
Asked by
Haleth (
18947
)
September 29th, 2015
My friend and I moved into a new apartment in mid-August. In late August, the power started randomly going out in my bedroom and bathroom. There is overhead lighting, so I don’t have many things plugged in- just a table lamp and my laptop.
At its worst, the power goes out several times an hour. Once it happened three times in five minutes. We’ve been resetting the breaker to turn it on again. The maintenance people scheduled a visit on Labor Day, didn’t show, and then came unannounced on the following Monday. They tried again last Friday and it went from a couple times an hour to a couple times a day. Last night it happened twice, and this morning I woke up and the power was off.
(Incidentally, the power often goes off on its own when I am either sleeping or at work, so it doesn’t seem like a specific appliance is overloading the system.)
This problem predates the current building manager, who started about three weeks ago. Her answer was less than helpful- she says don’t use the lamp and have the front desk call the electrician every time we lose power.
We’re ready to escalate this to the property management company and seek some compensation. I know the general guidelines about how to do this- document everything and be polite but persistent. Other than that, I’m not sure how much this problem might be worth. I’m guessing they will make us a lowball offer, so maybe we should start by asking for the maximum allowed under our lease.
If you’ve had an issue like this in the past, what strategies have you used successfully?
Observing members:
0
Composing members:
0
5 Answers
Sad to say, but in my opinion, you will not get very far. You are tilting at windmills.
Just a suggestion but, since it confined to the bathroom and bedroom I would check two things, the GFI in the bathroom. Not sure why the bedroom would be tied into it but electricians do strange things. And the other thing is, in their infinite wisdom, some cities have madated arc fault breakers for all bedrooms and baths. In addition to being five times more expensive than a standard outlet they are, for the most part, crap. Every little thing will set them off. If you get a minor power surge, bam! it trips, Your radio gets some kind of electronic burp, Bam! It trips. I would hazard a guess that if your roommate farted in the room it would trip. You might check both these items and see if it will eliminate the problem.
You are in a bit of a pickle.
First: I would feel uncomfortable living there. The wiring is clearly shoddy.
“In 2011, an estimated 47,700 home structure fires reported to U.S. fire departments involved some type of electrical failure or malfunction as a factor contributing to ignition. These fires resulted in 418 civilian deaths, 1,570 civilian injuries, and $1.4 billion in direct property damage. In 2007–2011, home electrical fires represented 13% of total home structure fires, 18% of associated civilian deaths, 11% of associated civilian injuries, and 20% of associated direct property damage.”
Unfortunately this is sort of like suing your boss for grabbing your ass. You might win but you will need to polish up your resume.
Depending on where you live tenets have very little rights. I have been been given three days notice since they felt I was “Damaging the Apartment” even though I wasn’t. I was being very vocal about our hot water heater never producing any hot water. So damaging the apartment is a fast way to get around normal eviction laws. A eviction can take three months and lawyer. Saying the apartment is being damaged and you will be escorted out by a Sheriff in three days.
My point is think very carefully about how much of a stink you want to make. Once you threaten the landlords job you can never walk back from it. You will need to move. Nobody likes a trouble-maker.
I think you should not at all hesitate to escalate to the property management company pronto.
They should be interested because of the potential for fire as @johnpowell points out.
I suggest to bring up compensation separately as you are less likely to get any sympathy in that direction and you still want to get the wiring fixed.
Go to the town Code Enforcement officer, via written letter or email.
Is there a local news station you can stop by? Some pick up stories to show public involvement as PR. Stop by is more likely to get their involvement.
Tell them you fear the building is going to burn down, etc.
If anything- tell them you are stuck with a lease. They might be able to get you out with minimal hassle.
I lived in such a place: bad wiring and leaky roof…on the wiring.
Get out of there. If something happens and you are asleep?
Please be careful. Good luck.
Answer this question 
This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.
Composing members:
0
