Research and Repairs

Wednesday, January 26th 2011
The landlord called me just before dinner time to update me.  He said he bought the carpet, they'd put it in tomorrow.  They repaired the sheetrock in the bedroom and the guy would finish it up and paint tomorrow.  he told me they're repaint the dining room and kitchen ceilings, too.  I asked if they had water damage since they were the ceilings that REALLY leaked.  He said no, they were fine.  :-/  Something doesn't sound right to me.

I looked up a lot of information on the internet while I was at mom's.  I researched the Board of Health and their regulations.  I called them.  The environmental inspector informed me the bed might be fine since it was dried rather quickly.  He said as long as it doesn't smell like mold, it's ok.  He advised me to throw out any food that got wet, or may have gotten wet.  He said the can's should be fine, but depending on the packaging, other stuff should be discarded.  He also said that if the dining room carpet doesn't smell like mold, and it was dried sufficiently, it should be okay.  The apartment kind of smelled like mold before this, I'm doubting that carpet is ok, but whatever.

I also looked up the Housing and Code Inspector's number.  I read through some general guidelines the town ordinances provide for.  I looked up New Jersey Legal Services, per a friend's suggestion.  I read through the rent guidelines and responsibilities.  I reviewed my lease.  There IS a clause in there stating that if the apartment is damaged through no fault of mine, I am entitled to a rent abatement for the time the apartment was uninhabitable.  According to lsnjlaw.org, I have the right to take the matter to court even if that wasn't in my lease, and ask the judge for an abatement.  Good to know.  I wonder if I can get a credit for my electric bill considering how much electric they're using on my bill this week (all the lights on and no one there, three fans, the shop vac, etc.).

Thursday, January 27th 2011
I never heard from the landlord.  I drove down to the apartment to get more clothes and food.  the maintenance guy was painting in the bedroom.  All of the furniture is moved, yet again.  The new carpet went in.  I asked about the closets.  He said no, they were fine.  I said they were wet the other day.  I reached in and felt the carpet, still damp.  I'm being lied to, whether it's intentional or not, I don't know, but I'm wary.

I asked about the dining room and kitchen ceilings.  Were they ok?  Nope.  The maintenance guy poked a hole in the dining room ceiling, the insulation is wet.  After seeing that, he cut a hole in the kitchen.  That's wet and soaked too.  He has the sheetrock outside in the common hall.  So they'll be fixed tomorrow?  "I have to see if the landlord wants me to do it."  Hmmm...I'm thinking if the landlord says no, I might have to call legal services or the housing inspector.  Drat! 

The Super came in.  He was on the phone, checking things, talking in Spanish the WHOLE time.  I have no problem with Spanish, really.  But when you're in MY apartment, discussing repairs and ME, Please speak in a language I understand.  It's just rude not to.  When he hung up I touched base with what's going on.  He said they're going to fix the ceilings.  I mentioned the closet carpet.  He said it was fine.  I said no it wasn't, I discussed it with the landlord.  The Super went to check, then started talking to the maintenance guy IN Spanish!  How rude!  All I know is the maintenance guy made a face and said "now" (I know that word, thanks Adria), and the super said "No."  A little more incomprehensible prattle and I was standing there wondering if their conversation went like this:

Super: She's worried about the carpets.  Can we change them?
Maintenance: Now?!?
Super: No. Tomorrow.
Maint.: I don't want to move all that stuff.
Super: So then don't, just make them look dry so she doesn't complain.

THAT would be my luck.  Whatever happened to whispering behind your back?  At least then I'd have a fair chance to eavesdrop!  I wonder what proper etiquette rules are in this situation.

They said it would take a few days.  I grabbed my stuff, and left.  Back to the trailer I go!