CrazySoprano Posted November 20, 2005 Share Posted November 20, 2005 OK, so some of you may remember that I moved recently because my roommates sucked. Now, I love my roommate, but my new landlord sucks. The radiators in both of our bedrooms do not work. The shower leaks. The doors to the bathroom and to my bedroom do not close. I've called the landlord several times. He *never* answers his phone, and he never returns my calls. I've left at least five messages. I've also sent several e-mails. His brother, who lives upstairs, has helped a bit, but he's a full-time grad student and doesn't have a lot of time. Moreover, it's not his responsibility to deal with this crap. Heat is supposed to be included in my rent, so I'm not planning to pay any rent until this stuff is fixed. What can I do to force my landlord to do his job? I'm sure there's some kind of office that deals with stuff like this, but I can't find it. I tried googling "Boston Housing Authority", but all I got was information about low-income housing. I live near the projects, but I don't live in the projects, so that's not going to help me. Does anyone know what the "kick CS's landlord's ass" office is called? There's more to this story, but I won't confuse you guys yet... ~CS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lily Posted November 20, 2005 Share Posted November 20, 2005 Hey CS, that sucks!! Your post brought back fond memories of my first place in Manhattan, lo these 15 years ago...when the real estate management flunkies came in to try (unsuccessfully) to fix our leaky toilets and malfunctioning radiators, they brought in an assistant flunky who stole my jewelry. Fortunately, mentioning my intention to report that theft to the police resulted in the oh-so-mysterious return of my things. but I digress... I'm assuming you're renting from an individual, not a management company, right? Did you sign a formal contract, and if so is there any other company referred to in there? I'd print out all emails and record when you made calls. One favorite pastime of ours in New York was to send our landlord a letter detailing the problem, our attempts to contact, his total refusal to deal ("as of Nov 17, we have yet to hear back from your sorry ass") and our intent to not pay rent etc. until problems are rectified. Then send that certified mail, so he has to sign for it. Now at least you have proof that he was advised of your situation. I don't know who would be able to help in Boston, but maybe try clicking fun stuff like "deadbeat landlords," "advocacy," and "renter's rights." lily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazySoprano Posted November 20, 2005 Author Share Posted November 20, 2005 I tried your suggestions, Lily, but all I got was stuff about landlords protecting themselves from deadbeat tenants. grumblegrumblegrumble Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grousemouse Posted November 20, 2005 Share Posted November 20, 2005 you could try going to a university website (i'm assuming here that boston has a university) and see what advice they have for students who are renting. grouse. edited to add: i found this info at some place called NIT or MIT or something. it might help. i tried harlard or harfard or something but couldn't find anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lily Posted November 20, 2005 Share Posted November 20, 2005 Hi CS, What about this? http://www.bostonapartments.com/tenant.htm It just spells out the rules and laws that your scumbag landlord is flouting, but mentions a couple organizations, and might be nice to refer to if/when you send him that registered mail... lily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazySoprano Posted November 20, 2005 Author Share Posted November 20, 2005 *faxes cookies to Lily and Grouse* You guys totally rock. I think I found the information I need. Next time I move, do you think Olga would rent me a room at her house? Better yet, I should get a place somewhere with you two. How about this place? ~CS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazySoprano Posted November 27, 2005 Author Share Posted November 27, 2005 Ok, I got back from NJ today. I didn't get to take a shower yesterday because we left early to go shopping (Black Friday at the outlet mall... ), and I didn't get one this morning because my friend's mom was still in the bathroom and I had to leave. So I thought I'd take one when I got home, before I had to leave for my church job. I got in, closed the door (my shower has a door with hinges rather than a sliding one or just a curtain), took my shower. Turned off the faucet, squeezed the extra water out of my hair, and opened the door. Except the door wouldn't open. So I'm naked, wet, and cold, and I couldn't open the door for about 25 minutes. My roommate wasn't home. For all I knew, she might have stayed at her mom's until Sunday night. I could have been stuck in the shower--again, not the bathroom, the *shower*--ALL WEEKEND. I did finally get the door open (obviously), but it was really hard. My landlord still has not fixed:the broken radiator in my room the broken radiator in my roommate's room (she's actually gotten sick from sleeping in the cold) the door to my room, which does not close the door to the bathroom, which also does not close the leaky showerI'm going to legal aid on Monday, and I'm not paying rent until every single thing gets fixed. *bubbles the chimp*. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lily Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 Wait, you mean you still have running hot water? Whatcha complainin' fer then? juuuust joking (ducks to avoid cookies thrown this way). Keep us posted on developments with your rat-bastard landlord! You come-on a my house, you can take a niiice hot Japanese bath. My cat may peek in at you, but otherwise you have privacy, and a door--on hinges--that opens and closes easily. lily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reddog Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 you should put your rent money into escrow. if you simply refuseto pay rent, your landlord can evict you. however, if you put it into an escrow account with the courthouse, he will KNOW the money is available...when he fixes stuff. just don't make the 'not paying rent' mistake. and you might want to look into getting an electric blanket or electric throw blanket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazySoprano Posted December 7, 2005 Author Share Posted December 7, 2005 Update: My landlord has finally fixed:the broken radiator in my room the broken radiators in the kitchen and living room the door to my room, which did not closeHe has not fixed:the broken radiator in my roommate's roomthe door to the bathroom, which still does not closethe door to the shower, which still does not openHe has put some caulk around the edges of the shower, but we have to wait a few days before we can use it. So it might be fixed, but it might still be leaky. But there is heat in my bedroom, and I put my space heater in my roommate's room, so she's okay. He's still an *bubbles the chimp*, though. ~CS warm and fuzzy once again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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