[internetchick]

Our apartment management company sucks. They take forever to fix anything, and their fixes are crap. It took them a year to take care of the black mold growing in the caulking around the tub, and all they did was caulk over it. So I got fed up and sent an email to corporate, and when they contacted the management here they sent a copy of my email with our contact information!! So they know it was us and are ticked. When my husband went up to the office to address something, they gave him the third degree about it.

I just wanted to whine about it. *sigh*

[KatJ]

Why the crap did they give your manager your information???? That's so dirty. Is there a chance you could get out of there?

BTW, don't let them harass you, or your husband, you have every right to have an opinion. Maybe talk to a health inspector?

[internetchick]

I have no idea why they would do that. When my husband was in the office he said they were trying to turn things around saying we broke our dishwasher(they recently had to replace the racks because the wheels didn't stay in and the rack fell out, bending the tracks. They were supposed to fix the wheels at least a year ago), and that the black mold is just stains and not black mold. Yeah right. It's too late today, but Tuesday I am calling corporate again. Over the weekend I am going to research tenant's rights for Washington.

[pinksugar]

ugh, that sounds horrible. What a bunch of jerks! I hope you can get it sorted out, if not, have you considered moving (obviously a last resort but if it will be less stressful then maybe worthwhile)..

maybe there is a local paper or magazine that will name and shame them? we have sections in the women's mags here that are to resolve problems like that, if addressing the issue first hand with the person responsible isn't working

[Darla_G]

I don't know how it is in Washington, back in Pennsylvania when i was a student our apartment (Victorian building divided into 8 apts) had a bunch of problems (a big hole in the front steps for instance) so i contacted a lawyer from the college and they helped me set up a rent strike for the building. I went to each of the apartments and had them sign. Basically you have to let them know you have a series of grievances, these were do***ented in a registered letter and rent could be withheld (in an escrow account) until all repairs were done.

Anyway it worked for us. They had crews out there within a few days of getting my letter.

In your case I think the owner (or parent) company has the right to know that the management company is not doing a good job. If they fixed everything there would be no problem. I also learned that it is a good idea to make all request for repairs to be in writing and always dated.

You might have said something about your bathroom a year ago, but unless it is in writing they can always deny it.

[internetchick]

The bathroom repair was in writing. In fact the maintenance guy said I should have reminded him about it, because it shouldn't be left for that long(as if it's my fault they take so long. And we did remind them repeatedly). He knew it had been a year when he checked the repair request. As if it's my fault they take so long.

My husband attends our local community college, so maybe they have someone who can help us.

Rosie I have considered moving. Even if this is cleared up we still intend to move.

[KatJ]

Girl, what kind of nasty stuff you doing in your bathtub to get black stains???? I love lame excuses, lol.

[kcam125]

wth? what a bunch of dummies! omg

[magneticheart]

Ugh, what jerks! I hope things get sorted out soon.

[AngelaGM]

Black mold is quite dangerous and can lead to respiratory problems. I apologize in advance for my poor spelling. Please contact your state about this problem.

[sooperficial]

OMG that is majorly f'ed up!

[Adrienne]

Have you found out anymore information?

[internetchick]

Not really. My husband looked up the parent company(United Dominion) and there are tons of complaints online, and pages of reports to the Better Business Bureau. So I don't think we will get far with them. Right now we are trying to come up with a plan for when we move out, to minimize how hard they can hit us financially. We are definitely taking pictures of the conditions of the apartment now and when we move out.

My husband was talking to a guy a few days ago who had lived here previously, and when he moved out they kept his deposit and charged him for painting his walls and cleaning his carpets, even though he had hired someone to professionally take care of it. They said the people he hired didn't do a job up to their standard. Whatever. We have pictures from when we moved in of their "standards."

[CellyCell]

Wow, that sucks. Ugh... people are so shady these days!

[Bec688]

Urgh, it's like asking them to chop off their leg or something, I'm pretty sure it's their JOB to fix problems when they arise, don't they want happy tenants? What bastards. I hope that if you guys do move out that is as hassle free as possible *hugs*