My changing situation....

[manglicmot]

The hours at work are going back up all of a sudden. We changed the way we do things with a new computer system and it takes longer, much longer, to get everything done. We started it yesterday a little and went all out today and it took an extra two hours. it will probably be like that for a while. It won't be enough to push me up over the median, but I will be able to afford my bills for at least a couple of more months. And even if it isn't a permanent change, it will at least put some distance between me and that $4k cash advance I took last year.

But also, all of a sudden, the apartment above mine is leaking water down into my apartment. Stinking toilet water to be exact. I've had the landlord out here twice. The first time he came out while I was at work and he didn't do anythign to fix it. He told me he didn't see any leak, as if I had made the whole thing up. I got him out here again and pointed the leak out to him so he said he would go ahead and check it out. His checking it out involved him going upstairs, seening no leak up there and informing me that he can't find any leak. He left. Tonight I come home from work and now I have a puddle of my upstairs neighbor's urine in the floor of my bathroom. Obviously, the landlord has no intention of fixing it, and I have no idea how to force him to do it. I've been looking in the govt pages of the phone book, but I can't find any department that would deal with this. Bottom line - I may be forced to move. San Diego apartment rents are among the highest in the nation, I am in serious trouble if I have to do it. I would never be able to get rent and deposit for a new apartment without taking on more debt.

[CATCHMEIFYOUCAN]

I would keep bugging the landlord, take pictures and sue is ass in civil court for some rent money back - IF YOU MOVE! Where there's a will there's a way. YOU SHOULDN'T have to live let alone put up with that condition! GROSSSSSSS !
Start documenting everything! Does the complex write up ticket request? Every time I have a problem in my apt my landlords pretty good about sending over her guy to fix it and there is a ticket written up every time!

Best Wishes, Catchmeifyoucan

[GoingDown]

I'm not sure about California laws, but I worked for an apartment complex in Arizona back in the 1990s, and the law states that the renter needs to give the landlord a written notice about the problem. That's the first step. So write up a letter and send it to the landlord or manager by certified mail, and I'll bet they will fix it after they get that in writing. You should send it by certified mail to prove when you notified them in writing, should this ever need to go to court. It will also make it more likely for them to fix the problem promptly, because they will know you have started the formal process.

[BKOnce]

Your landlord knew problem existed but so CHEAP to fix it. If I were you, I just walk right into upstair apt with tools and start fixing that damn toilet overflow and sealing bathroom floor, tiles with caulk!.. Easy as 1-2-3 and FREE to him. He is so CHEAP!

[SamanthaJones]

HOW can ANYONE afford San Diego?

I don't understand it. AND to be UNDER the median income?
A one bedroom, if lucky, is what- $1500 plus? And that would hardly be a good area, right?
Anyway- type in 'california landlord tenant law'. You'll get the official state renter's book that details every possible situtation- including how to proceed with a problem that makes a unti unfair to live in.
Once you let your landlord know you have that information, things will change, I betcha~

[manglicmot]

I called him again this morning and he sounds much more cooperative. He said he is going to go upstairs and lift their toilet to look for the leak.

One other thing I forgot to mention last night about my situation is that I noticed my bank account doesn't seem to be dropping as fast as it used to. One of my new year's resolutions was to start cooking my own meals. I always used to stop off for breakfast at Burger King on my way to work instead of cooking my own. BUT, each week went I went grocery shopping I still bought the bacon and eggs as if I were going to cook like I'm supposed to. So far this year I have cooked my own breakfast and that's about a $270 savings so far this year. And on top of that, sometimes I would go out and get another fast food lunch while I was at work, but I have also packed my own lunch every day so far this year. I have almost $50K of debt, but half of that is a 0% car loan. If my hours at work stay up and I have a little luck in the stock market, I may not have to file. I definitely have it on hold for at least a month or so.

[Spartan]

1. Take pictures of the leak and damage. Videotape if possible.
Document the timeline and actions taken by you and your landlord.
If it ever comes to lawsuit, you got proof to prevail in court.


2. Don't count on "have a little luck in the stock market" at this junction of the market. If anything, it is time to get very conservative and hedge your bet.


Good luck, and sorry to hear about the leak.