Any advice for a bad Super?

mizmargaux

So I will preface my question with some "quirks" about our apt: Our fire alarm since day one was dismantled (by me) due to needing new batteries and incesant beeping. This doesn't involve your usual trip to the drug store for batteries-it seems to be pretty complex to change, being as though i nearly electricuted myself trying to find where the batteries should go-My first red flag should have been when i told the super about the beeping and he told me that it was normal.
There is also a heat pipe in my bed room-and i guess due to the new paint job/or bad renovation, this pipe (due to steam, i think) has caused the paint to fall-leaving visible cracks in the ceiling.
I have asked our super numerous times to fix the alarm (we have been in our apartment for nearly 3 months) and once to fix the paint/pipe situation and still-all talk-no action.
I wrote the landlord of the above problems and how they have been ignored, when we turned in this month's rent and so far haven't heard or seen anything. Any advice on what my next move should be?

Thanks!

carnivore

Subject: Re: Any advice for a bad Super?

mizmargaux wrote: So I will preface my question with some "quirks" about our apt: Our fire alarm since day one was dismantled (by me) due to needing new batteries and incesant beeping. This doesn't involve your usual trip to the drug store for batteries-it seems to be pretty complex to change, being as though i nearly electricuted myself trying to find where the batteries should go-My first red flag should have been when i told the super about the beeping and he told me that it was normal.
There is also a heat pipe in my bed room-and i guess due to the new paint job/or bad renovation, this pipe (due to steam, i think) has caused the paint to fall-leaving visible cracks in the ceiling.
I have asked our super numerous times to fix the alarm (we have been in our apartment for nearly 3 months) and once to fix the paint/pipe situation and still-all talk-no action.
I wrote the landlord of the above problems and how they have been ignored, when we turned in this month's rent and so far haven't heard or seen anything. Any advice on what my next move should be?

Thanks!

Ask them to fix it in writing, certified mail with return receipt, and save a copy of the letter. That alone has an implied threat, and I'd bet that the problem will be fixed promptly. If it isn't, you have evidence of when you asked for the problems to be fixed. Then you can see a lawyer, and start witholding rent in escrow until the problems are fixed.

The fire alarm not working is a violation of the building code, so if you reported them, that would cost them a fine (although, maybe not, seeing as how you were technically the one who disabled the alarm- you'd better contact a tenants' rights organization before doing this), which would be further incentive for them to address that problem at least.

leeho

Wow that sounds like an Elcorno Martin problem! anybody know that slumlord?

mizmargaux

Subject: Re: Any advice for a bad Super?

Carnivore wrote: [quote=mizmargaux]So I will preface my question with some "quirks" about our apt: Our fire alarm since day one was dismantled (by me) due to needing new batteries and incesant beeping. This doesn't involve your usual trip to the drug store for batteries-it seems to be pretty complex to change, being as though i nearly electricuted myself trying to find where the batteries should go-My first red flag should have been when i told the super about the beeping and he told me that it was normal.
There is also a heat pipe in my bed room-and i guess due to the new paint job/or bad renovation, this pipe (due to steam, i think) has caused the paint to fall-leaving visible cracks in the ceiling.
I have asked our super numerous times to fix the alarm (we have been in our apartment for nearly 3 months) and once to fix the paint/pipe situation and still-all talk-no action.
I wrote the landlord of the above problems and how they have been ignored, when we turned in this month's rent and so far haven't heard or seen anything. Any advice on what my next move should be?

Thanks!

Ask them to fix it in writing, certified mail with return receipt, and save a copy of the letter. That alone has an implied threat, and I'd bet that the problem will be fixed promptly. If it isn't, you have evidence of when you asked for the problems to be fixed. Then you can see a lawyer, and start witholding rent in escrow until the problems are fixed.

The fire alarm not working is a violation of the building code, so if you reported them, that would cost them a fine (although, maybe not, seeing as how you were technically the one who disabled the alarm- you'd better contact a tenants' rights organization before doing this), which would be further incentive for them to address that problem at least.


THanks for the info! I only dismantled the fire alarm-because it was beeping every 10 seconds-and since it was apparent that the super wasnt going to fix it immediately-i needed to stop the beeping.

izisharp

When my last landlord and super wouldn't do shit, despite frequent calls and messages, I found valuable info on the NYC Department of Housing Preservation site -= http://www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/html/home/home.shtml - including a phone number to make complaints, and a cool search engine to look up previous complaints and violations by building address.

meanwhile, to be safe, smoke detectors are quite inexpensive and easy to install....no screws or drills necessary. You can always deduct the cost from your rent or ask them to reimburse you.

Bon chance, Mme Margaux.

josseleen

I think (and I could very well be wrong) that it is a tenant's responsibility to replace Smoke Alarm batteried...