Hi everyone.
I don’t know who else to ask for advice.
I’m not going to go into the details of why, but I’ve just left behind a period of extreme stress.
This morning I noticed some water dripping from the ceiling above my bed (I rent a small two-story house and the bedroom is upstairs).
I have immediately called the managing company to come check the ceiling and they will do so soon.
Is there anything I should ask them to do/not to do? I live with two cats (allowed by house contract) and finding a new apartment allowing me to continue living with them is extremely hard, as most are no-pet properties.
Do you have any recommendations as to what to do? This house is 12 years old, so still relatively new which is why this caught me by surprise.
7 comments
Put a bucket under the leak and wait for the landlord to get back to you.
I’d also seek professional help if a leak is giving you existential dread about your housing situation.
It’s probably either a leaky pipe or a leaky roof, depending on which floor your bedroom is on. The landlord will have it fixed, so you don’t need to fret. You might want to get a cage to put the cats in while the repair is underway to keep them safe while the workers are going in and out of the house. We have a portable dog pen we set up to keep the dogs in whenever we need to have work done on the house.
I experience a sewage leak into my apartment, which destroyed all the tatami/flooring. The building management company dragged it’s heels and threatened to increase the rent 20%. In the end, after a lawyer spoke to them, they fixed it. I was living in temporary accommodation for 3 months.
That’s about as bad as it can get for a leak. Landlords can’t just kick you out so don’t worry about finding a new place. Simply ask for them to fix it and co-ordinate with them on the timing of the repairs. Take photos of everything, record your conversations/phonecalls with the company and keep a notebook of what was communicated when in case they try any funny stuff.
I’d cover any close by electronics with plastic, but that’s just me.
Do you have renters insurance? It should be covered too
Don’t worry man, the landlord will fix these issues. I rent a detached 3 story house from 1987, it’s wooden framed and pretty old so issues like this crop up from time to time but it always gets sorted.
A few months ago, my kitchen sink was draining into the floorboards below and flooding the floor. Contacted landlord, he sent a guy who checked it out, there was busted pipe so he fixed it and all is good. The flooring is wood and started to lift/peel from being warped from water damage from said water leak, landlord sent the same guy who inspected it and deemed a new floor was in order, so landlord is arranging (and paying) for this too. Water company let me know my water usage was high, and the usage gauge was moving even when I wasn’t doing anything, landlord sent out a plumber who found a leaky pipe in the foundations. Another issue I had was rainwater during typhoons pouring in through the kitchen vent and practically drenching the kitchen, let the landlord know and he sent someone to investigate and they found a break in the seal leading to rain water getting in.
Anyway, the point is, it’s their job to fix these issues and your benefit as a renter not an owner to not have to pay for them. You can only go wrong if you decide to not let the landlord know and sit on the issue.
The landlord has to fix it. If the repairs would require you to leave for a period of time, the landlord should be on the hook for your accommodations unless the contract has specific clauses to not do so.
I’m feel you on the existential dread lol.