I just want to be removed and relocated to a better apartment in the building because this unit has too many water problems. Everyone time they claim to fix the problem it returns. The place is a mess. The walls have all turned brown and cracked and smells of old water and mold. I'm calling the health department and requesting an inspector. I need to write a letter of intent and maybe call my lawyer. I hate this so much. The landlady said the building has 3 vacant apartment open but that the management doesn't want to repair and clean the units. But that if I raise hell I could be moved into one immediately - and that I should request that I be moved at my current rent rate and not the increase rent value of these other bigger units. What do you guys think of this situation? I need help!!!

Call your attorney, ask about placing your future rent in escrow. This way the rent isn't late the courts pay out your rent. Some may go back to you due to living problems, some may go to contractors and some may go to your landlord.

I disagree with calling the fire department.

The plumbing really could be fixed for good but its you that has to feel comfortable.

Last winter I had a unit that had heat problems.

1st call, sent out boiler licensed man and he replaced her zone valve

2nd call 2 weeks later early Sat morning, I went over and noticed pump was seized up, licenesed mechanic replaced Monday morning due to 2.5x weekend cost. All tenants were OK with my decision since it wasn't that cold and I provided each unit with a nice space heater

3rd call 3 days later no heat, pump installed was a "new" model that eliminated an expensive part that was wrecked, "new" model was not a large enough pump to circulate hot water through building, pump was replaced with larger model at no cost to me. Mechanic issued apolagies to all units.

4th call 2 weeks later call early sunday morning, went over and there was no pilot light, called mechanic to get fixed due to weather being much colder, replaced thermo cuppling and it was fixed

5th call 18 hours later no heat again, its now 1am and tenants didn't call untill 6 am. Mechanic went back over to find gas valve was bad and the thermo cuppling might not have been the problem. New one worked for a short time due to less energy required to make the new cupler work.

Get a letter Monday from an upset tenant... Totally understand as she has lost heat 5 times in a little over a month. She wants me to replace the boiler. I explained that the boiler has never been the problem and should last another 25-50 years. Really almost ever part that can go bad has gone bad! Now that almost everything has been replaced I've had no problems. I know I looked bad, comapany servicing boiler looked bad, but really they only made one mistake with the pump.

When the tenants called I also knew what was probably bad each time due my little knowledge of boilers. It didn't mean I knew about the problem previously. The boiler guy has worked on my boilers since 2001 and I had only this one problem. Very knowlegable and honest. Still use him and have had great luck since.

Just want you to have an open mind that the plumbing may be fixed but you should get more information so you comfortable.

Please check out mold issues as that could be a huge problem to your future. Even if its ok now it should be re-checked later. Home inspectors now have cameras that can detect mold in walls without intrusive testing.

Best of luck!

The housing inspector came in today and wrote up a report. He says he doesn't think the damage is a result of a broken water heater. He claimed they'd have to go into the ceiling to find the source of the water problem. Anyway, he said he'd send the notice to the owner and they'd have 30 to 45 days to correct all problems, which include replacing the sheetrock in the walls and the ceiling, plastering and painting. As well as repairing the damage done to the floors. So what am I suppose to do in the meantime? My place is a one bedroom studio, so that leaves me with only the small living area to sleep, eat and everything else. The owner definitely won't pay for a hotel stay until the repairs are done. And I couldn't possibly remain in the place while the repairs are being done because the apartment is so small that my stuff would have to be removed first. As a matter of fact, I think I'll refuse anyone from coming into the apartment until my stuff and I are relocated before any repairs are made. Is that possible? I need more advice. What should my next steps be? I thank you guys for all your help.

I'm guessing you should pay your March rent into a court escrow and move into temporary housing. You'd have to sue your landlord and your rent in escrow will most likely go back to you for your temporary housing and lack of not being able to live in your unit.

Call an attorney first! Also ask the attorney about retailiation. In my county if a tenant calls building and saftey landlords can not retailiate by raising rent, not re-newing the lease and its harder to evict. I'd bet your landlord isn't going to be very excited about this and may want you out. You also said the landlady is more about tenant rights than the owners. Perhaps she will give you temp housing in another unit in the building.

Best of luck!