booboo
New Member
Joined: October 2008
Posts: 20 
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Post by booboo on Oct 20, 2008 2:49:16 GMT -5
 I am in need of some MEGA-support and well-wishes this early morning hour. I have never been in this situation before, and I could really use some advice and love. Here's the long and short of it: I just got home from a birthday weekend with family, and I came across a letter in the mail from my apartment complex. I immediately suspected that it was a letter concerning the state of my apartment. It has slipped back into a pretty scary condition. Last week, I got a notice on my door that the construction manager was going to come in for an inspection within the next 30-35 days. I live on the third floor. Within three days, I had a note explaining that they had already been into the apartment. It was nowhere near enough time for me to prepare. I feel incredibly ashamed and beyond terrified. (I mean, they took PICTURES....  ...and I just started to really WORK on this problem, again. *sigh*) According to my lease, I have 30 days to be in compliance...but they also said that they were going to come in sometime this coming week for another inspection. The letter was dated Oct. 15, but I didn't get it in the mail until yesterday. (...no mail on Sundays.) I plan to call the management office first thing tomorrow morning, and make arrangements with work to take two days off (Tues. and Wed.) Apparently, they don't allow my --caged-- tarantula (info. not in the lease or upon move-in)...but I have someplace to take her, so she'll be out, first thing tomorrow. I'm going to call my old therapist to see if she has any recommendations. (She worked with me about a year ago, concerning some of these issues...stemming from a previous assault....) I'm looking into calling in some back-up...my mom doesn't work during the week, and she's trying to work on her clutter issues, too. (I just helped with a huge yard sale, this weekend.) I'm even going to offer to allow regular inspections of the place after the initial (fully cleaned) inspection, to assure them that I am making an effort to stay in compliance. Any other suggestions? Please feel free to send me a PM, or email to magellans.daughter AT gmail DOT com. This is pretty time-sensitive, so I would really appreciate any assistance, prayers, etc. (I live in the Baltimore area, if anyone has any resource recommendations.) Thank you so very much in advance.
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Post by Script on Oct 20, 2008 6:39:14 GMT -5
about the caged tarantula: there may be an issue here that has emerged because of INSURANCE snaggles for the apartment owners.
Since 9-11, you wouldn't BELIEVE how insurance companies have been putting the screws to everyone about everything.
Do what you can for yourself, but try to understand how the apartment management has its OWN bosses (owners, shareholders, city inspectors, fire marshalls etc).
My sister and brother-in-law own some rental properties, and I have seen this problem in their business.
good luck from Script
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Post by eagle on Oct 20, 2008 8:30:34 GMT -5
Booboo, it looks like you are on the right track, and have a workable plan in place. If your mom is able to help and you get the two days off work, you're off to a good start.
The fact that you are meeting the issue head-on and showing willingness to work with the management regarding ongoing inspections should certainly stand you in good stead with them.
My best wishes and positive thoughts in your endeavors.
If your mom is not available, are you able to afford paid help? Surely there are restoration crews listed in the phone books for your area, who can help with the clean up. I expect it is costly, but they would certainly be able to help get the worst out fast and dispose of it as well.
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leo
New Member
Joined: October 2008
Posts: 12
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Post by leo on Oct 20, 2008 8:40:28 GMT -5
Hello there (I am new to the board) I am not clear on the inspection process....how can they come in your place WITHOUT warning? I am a landlord and would NEVER do that...I believe it is ILLEGAL anyway. Have you had problems before? That is the only thing that makes sense to me. I do not think landlords can go in your place unless it is an emergency without you giving the okay....unless it is a follow up inspection or you are behind on the rent. Have your neighbors complained? How did they know to check on you?
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Post by mouse on Oct 20, 2008 17:08:07 GMT -5
Hi! I have no advice but lots of sympathy on the inspection thing. I know that where I live, a landlord CANNOT come into your place unannounced unless there is an emergency (fire, severe water leakage, what have you). They must give 24 hours' notice before coming, which isn't very long. It's fantastic that you're willing to take on the challenge. This will definitely count for something in your landlord's eyes. Make sure you keep the lines of communication open as much as possible on this. As for your tarantula, can you ask friends/family/a coworker to take her at least until your inspection is over? :::EDIT::: Oops, I misread your post and now realize you have somewhere for her, so that's okay. Anyway, good luck! ~Mouse  |
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Post by lilith on Oct 20, 2008 19:15:16 GMT -5
The bad thing about this is that your secret is out. The good thing about his is your secret is out. And you didn't die.
Pick the low hanging fruit-get a trash bag and walk around and put trash in bag. You have amnesty from recycling, and making sure the things go to the right place. There are only two catagories now-trash and things that will help you keep your apartment.
If walking around is too hard-sit in a low slung stool and pick up only what you can reach. Complete. Move the stool over a foot. Repeat. You will be shocked at how much this accomplishes. Don't think-just move.
Keep posting. It helps.
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Post by limegreen on Oct 21, 2008 2:48:07 GMT -5
I hate it when landlords walk right in without so much as a by-your-leave. However, it might help your case, should it come to that, that they broke a term of the lease by entering un-announced. If your lease states you have thrity days, than you have thirty days, which I would date from the date of the first letter. So I guess that leaves you with three weeks. A lot can be accomplished in three weeks.
Landlords what to be sure that you aren't devaluing their property by damaging their fixtures and fittings or causing a fire hazard by storing excessive stuff, or preventing access to fire-escape routes (basically every window).
So, you want a quick visual fix. And you are hereby granted an amnesty on recycling and sorting, just get the trash and clutter out. One bag at a time. Ask them to be so kind as to give you 24 hours notice of their next inspection, and when they do, use that 24 hours to clean up the bathroom to company fresh and clean the kitchen and primp the by-then-decluttered rooms.
You can do it! And we will cheer you along whilst you do!
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booboo
New Member
Joined: October 2008
Posts: 20
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Post by booboo on Oct 21, 2008 11:05:13 GMT -5
UPDATE: I think I should clarify something, first. My apartment complex reserves the right to enter apartments on a periodic basis. In the past, I've gotten notices about window replacement, repainting the doors, etc. Technically, they did not enter the apartment unannounced, because they put a notice about the current inspection (crisis) on my door last week. (See my original post for details.)
I have had the tarantula since before I moved in 2 years ago, and no one has never had an issue with her, until now. A new management company took over midway through my first year here, but still...no complaints or concerns. Still, she's not really an issue; I have options.
I got the two days off of work, so that's good. I called the assistant property manager, and she was very polite. She said that she would delay the next inspection until sometime next week. (...although she couldn't give me a date.) I asked her if she would be willing to remove the warning letter and pictures from my file at the end of my lease term--I'm planning to move to another state--providing that I stay in compliance with my lease. She said that she would be willing to take that into consideration. I also made an appointment with my old therapist. (I was assaulted about 6 years ago, around this time of the year, so everything gets a little rough for me...and mom is a messie, too.)
Thanks for the amnesty on the recycling thing. That's my biggest foe, right now. I needed to hear it. I'll be moving over to the WIT's thread while I work, but I'll keep posting non-listy things, here.
*hugs for everyone* Really, thank you.
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Post by metamorpha on Oct 22, 2008 0:13:27 GMT -5
Good luck, booboo. I was assaulted too, 10 years ago, and I understand what you mean. I really start backsliding around the time frame that it happened. (((Good luck))) I'm glad the office was willing to work with you.
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