Mapleleaf Posted December 28, 2011 Posted December 28, 2011 In another thread I mentioned that two women moved upstairs where I live; a woman and her daughter. The daughter smokes, stinking up the whole house, and the landlord is adamant about no smoking in the house. She was warned once, but has persisted with it. A couple weeks ago my brother and his wife came over for a visit, and as soon as they got into the back entrance to get into my place, she started coughing and hacking, and she was coughing during the whole visit. My landlord still doesn't know about that. After the colder weather set in, the mother has kept the furnace off at night for about 12 to 14 hours, making my place cold and uncomfortable, and in the mornings when she goes to work, the daughter cranks the heat to the boiling point making the place like an oven. I asked the mother why she leaves the furnace off, and she said it's because the furnace gets roasting hot even at low settings. The landlord called a heating company to clean the furnace and the ducts, because a dirty furnace has to work harder, creating abnormal temperatures. Well, guess what? THE BLOODY FURNACE IS STILL BEING KEPT OFF FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, AND I'M GETTING REALLY PISSED ABOUT IT!!! The landlord threatened to evict them before the furnace was cleaned, but then he gave them the benefit of the doubt and had the cleaning done in order to solve the furnace problem. Believe me, the landlord is going to be really pissed if I tell him the furnace is still being kept off, plus the smoking in the house. He and his wife don't like these people, and they've caused me hard feelings as well as crappy living conditions. I don't think I can even invite guests over to have a comfortable stay at my place. I'm really feeling sh*t on. I feel that these people are being really ignorant. I've already talked to them about those problems, but all I get are arguments and excuses, not to mention retarded accusations. The mother can't stand the landlord and his refusal to repair things (and he is CHEAP! belive me!). She did mention to me that the are trying to get out of their lease, and I'm guessing that maybe they're trying to get out of it by getting evicted...if that's the case, I'll be happy to help them OUT! Either way, I feel that I've reached the end of my rope with them. If they get booted, they'll have either 1 or 3 months to get out. They might hate my guts for it, but what else can I do?
Author Mapleleaf Posted December 28, 2011 Author Posted December 28, 2011 why don't you move? Because I can't afford a better place right now and I don't feel that I should be forced to move after 9 years of living there just because of ignorant neighbors.
TaraMaiden Posted December 28, 2011 Posted December 28, 2011 well, unfortunately, it's not your call. I suggest you keep a log, with photographic evidence where possible, and tell your landlord you've had enough. you have to be able to back your complaints up. but if he's as tight-fisted as you say, either he won't evict them because he wants their money, or he can't be bothered - because he's not a good landlord.
Author Mapleleaf Posted December 30, 2011 Author Posted December 30, 2011 Ummm, how do I get photographic evidence of cigarette odor and lack of heat...do you know any photographic experts who can achieve that? I think I have all the backup I need...all I need is to bring the furnace filter to the landlord and have him or his wife to take a whiff of it, PLUS, have him ask my brother and his wife about their last visit at my place. As far as the furnace thing is concerned, i have a friend who likes to visit me once in a while...I'm sure he would be willing confirm what I know. Believe me, this isn't the first time I've battled with other renter's bullsh*t, and I've never lost yet!
TaraMaiden Posted December 30, 2011 Posted December 30, 2011 (edited) So what's your problem? Take it to the landlord and ask him to deal with it. There's no need to be sarcastic...I seem to be the only one responding here, out of all other members... Photographic evidence as in cigarette butts or them smoking? I dunno, I'm just trying to offer some constructive advice here.... would he rather have 2 tenants who give him trouble, and have done since they moved in a brief time ago, or would he prefer to stick to keeping you - a long-standing tenant who's never given him any problem? ..... have you...? Edited December 30, 2011 by TaraMaiden
KathyM Posted December 30, 2011 Posted December 30, 2011 By all means, tell the landlord that they are smoking and keeping the furnace off for extended periods of time. You have a right to live in a comfortable apartment, and a healthy one--you are paying for it. Cigarette smoke can seep through cracks and openings between apartments, and be transferred via heating ducts to other apartments. It's unhealthy for you, and they are not only violating the terms of their lease, they are putting your health at risk. My aunt developed lung cancer from second hand smoke, and had to have part of her lung removed. Don't take this lightly. You have a right to have a smoke-free apartment, and have a right to a heated apartment. Don't allow this to continue. Tell the landlord.
Author Mapleleaf Posted December 31, 2011 Author Posted December 31, 2011 Thanks KathyM...well said. Sorry for the sarcasm TaraMaiden. I have never caused a problem for my landlord. The only thing I've been asked to be more careful about is not making too much noise when coming into my place when I get home late after work, and that's what I do now. When there is something like a no-smoking rule, then that's the way it is, and whoever doesn't like it can smoke outside or finance their own place. Why should other tenants be slowly killed just because of someone else's defiant attitude? As far as the heat problem goes, I want to try to get my brother who is one of the best heating and air conditioning experts in the whole province where I live to look at the furnace and maybe give the people upstairs some pointers as how to control the heat. That has to be resolved because I'm not willing to live in a deep freeze, especially when I pay rent and utilities.
FitChick Posted January 8, 2012 Posted January 8, 2012 If they are smoking, they have broken their lease.
darkmoon Posted January 8, 2012 Posted January 8, 2012 do any complaint anonymously - i got kicked out made homeless by bugging a landlord - i became the nuisance
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