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Post by chadow on Mar 6, 2015 19:39:21 GMT -5
So the on site manager told me he was coming in to my apt just to check the work that they had done on the roof and in the attic. But instead they did a full inspection and then sent me notice to cure or quit. My apt has some trash and needs a good vacuuming, and carpet needs shampooing but it is so look much better than when the roof fell in that I'm was totally blind sided by this notice. They want me to rent a garage for my boxes. They are telling me I cannot use my living room or my extra bed room to store them. The on-site manager has no sympathy and looked me in the eye and scoffed like it was nothing to him to give this notice and that "all I have to do is clean up" and get rid if my boxes or rent a garage or a private storage unit. "
I don't have time or energy to do this and I cannot move out. So I have to pass inspection to their standards but I feel they are unreasonable. I have 2 interior walls of boxes stacked approx 5 ft tall. They are not in the way of any ingress or egress they are a full 6 to 10 inches away from the base board heaters and I can walk and clean around 3 sides of them. PLEASE HELP
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Post by reb on Mar 6, 2015 20:03:56 GMT -5
chadowI'm sure right now you feel dreadfully blindsided and overwhelmed, I know I would feel that if it came about so suddenly. I have no idea what the laws are there but I'd suggest to start you take photos of what's going on with dates, so if you do wind up in some sort of eviction procedure you can prove that your boxes are not a hazard if they are not. I also suggest you take photos so you can see if you feel the management are being unreasonable since some of us suffer "clutter blindness". If the boxes you have are not a hazard, depending where you live, I'm not sure they can legally demand you remove them completely or tell you where to store them unless there's some rules in your lease that include that. Most places they are allowed to demand that you clean it up [throw out trash and suchlike] to the levels passable by a health department. And no, most people don't have a clue what it's like to struggle with too much stuff in too little space and even if they do have a clue--in this case, he's doing his job although he could be a bit nicer and more understanding about it.
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Post by chadow on Mar 6, 2015 23:03:19 GMT -5
Reb, after I read your reply I called public storage and reserved a 5x10 unit. I still feel that my boxes are not a hazard especially the way they're set up right now. but I can't afford to lose this fight and there's no time to get an advocate or a lawyer and take this on before they would evict me so this is survival measure to get me through. When I get back from New Orleans April 4th (work trip) I can work on the other issues. Between now and the 17th, I have a lot of cleaning to do. Good news is I don't have near the trash or garbage to throw out that I did last fall. I just have to scrub surfaces and get the carpets professionally cleaned. I did ask that the apt manager arrange for their contractors to do the carpets cause they will do the whole apt for $55. I can't get a rental plus detergent for less than 40 so that will save me the effort. Cheryl
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Post by hollyhock on Mar 7, 2015 16:07:04 GMT -5
Hi chadow and hugs. While I was reading your thread, I was thinking you are looking at the boxes as to whether they are a hazard to you. He may be looking at them as a hazard to the structure of the building - the extra weight that they are putting on the support structure. Since you are saying there is an attic I assume you are renting in an older home? - many of which were not built to carry extra weight - including things like granite and marble and even ceramic flooring, so you could, unknowingly, be damaging his property. Good for you for reserving a storage space. I hope you manage to transfer everything over easily within the time. Congrats on the clearing out that you have already done.
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Post by reb on Mar 7, 2015 16:13:56 GMT -5
chadowWell it sounds like you have been making tremendous progress over time and congrazzies on coming up with a solution that will make it easier for you and your landlord to continue a cordial relationship.
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Post by chadow on Mar 7, 2015 16:33:28 GMT -5
Hollyhock, No this is a sterdy 2nd floor Apr built in the 70s. My boxes don't weigh anywhere close to a couple of your average pressboard entertainment centers sitting next to each other. They actually are NOT saying they are a hazard out right; they are just saying I cannot store anything in the living room or extra bedroom cause it isn't "clean" and they think it is unsightly. The assistant manager was sympathetic but stated that she thought they were a fire hazard because "cardboard is flammable". I have rented a storage unit to store them in for the moment. When I get them out I can clean the rest of the room and get the carpet guys in. Eventually I plan/hope to move the stuff from boxes to totes and bring them back and put them in my shelves in the extra bedroom. But I don't want to fight this out right now because I can be belligerent when stressed. I could do a lot more damage to myself with my attitude so I'm putting the effort into cleaning up instead. Cheryl
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Post by creativechaos on Mar 7, 2015 17:16:10 GMT -5
wise thinking, chadow. and WTG on taking an action immediately that will give you a bit of time, rather than spin your wheels in the "fight." i can tell you that it only makes them want to get rid of you when you fight - unless it's a fight you're SURE you can win, better to save energy and just clean up. so - congratulations on putting a wise plan in action right away! And it sounds like you're gonna get some new carpet in LR - Yaaaaay! I hoard so i will say this: DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO! what does that mean? it means after inspection and when you get back from NOLA, get those totes - (get fewer than you think you need because as you unpack the boxes you may decide to release some stuff in them), move the things to your extra bedroom (but not on the floor - to the shelves, as you have planned) and then: (here's what i DIDN'T do) - get rid of the storage unit ASAP! Also, managers and LLs are real sticklers about baseboard heaters. They will tolerate "non flammable" things at least a foot away - but cardboard boxes will set off their alarms. I keep my breaker to the baseboard heaters turned OFF (different heat source.). Mgmt doesn't care - they can only think "rules" so it's easiest to just follow them. Glad you are with us. please keep posting here. i like meeting "newbies" with more wisdom and brains about this stuff than i have. maybe some of that will rub off on me!
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Post by chadow on Mar 7, 2015 17:44:34 GMT -5
Creativechaos.
Thanks for the reply! No I'm no getting NEW carpet in the living room. But I will have the carpet cleaners in to steam clean the current carpet. Well I could look at it from the perspective of: I'm getting between 20 and 30 square feet of floor space opened up for my use and the entire carpet in my apartment cleaned.
Financially I cannot keep the storage unit past April. So totes and shelves are my current plan. YES YES getting the stuff into totes will mean lots of stuff will go to the dump or goodwill instead of coming back here. But the emotions that will come up during that process I cannot handle beforehand.
I thought had things together enough that I would never have to do a high stress cleaning marathon by force again... I was wrong. Cheryl aka chadow
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Post by reb on Mar 7, 2015 18:32:08 GMT -5
chadow Well you've enough to deal with right now so putting something off for when you have your first few phases done sounds like a workable plan to me. Once you get it all cleaned up more and the carpets all freshly shampooed, you might be in a far better head space to tackle the clutter.
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Post by chadow on Mar 7, 2015 18:41:33 GMT -5
I sure hope so Reb!
I did get almost half the apt vacuumed today and am working on my second load of dishes... Looks like I'm getting out of my own way and it feels good.
Cheryl
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Post by reb on Mar 7, 2015 19:32:55 GMT -5
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Post by chadow on Mar 7, 2015 22:07:10 GMT -5
I had a full blown anxiety attack at the storage unit when I learned they lied to me over the phone about the move in fees. I have never been so angry in public before. I had to pay a full $30 more than they told me. Don't ever be live the $1 for the first month b.s. cause it is 23 plus the lock 20 plus 11 to 15 for insurance etc. I'm sick of being screwed with
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Post by chadow on Mar 7, 2015 22:38:15 GMT -5
Yep I'm on fire alright in good ways and bad... I've calmed down a bit now but Lord I'm gonna have to write a sorry card to the storage lady.
Time for a hot bath and good night's sleep.
Cheers all
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Post by lesaulerouge on Mar 8, 2015 2:12:39 GMT -5
Yep, small print is a cheat. But yay you to calming down and considering / realising the appropriateness of a sorry card!
It does sound to me like you are doing ok. You have a plan, and it's one with your mental well being and stress levels in mind too. Keep at it.
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Post by creativechaos on Mar 8, 2015 4:44:13 GMT -5
sorry chadow - i get a bit muddled on a regular basis! i think i read "carpet guys" and assumed new carpet! i'm sorry about the hidden costs with storage unit. do you get any of that back - like when you turn in the lock? do you have a lock of your own to use instead of theirs? you are under a lot of stress right now - most people are not at their best when stressed. a sorry card to the storage lady is a good idea, because it will make you feel better about yourself. your values are important to uphold. cc
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