I am about to move into a new apartment and am having problems already. Here's what happened....
I went to see the apartment around the middle of last month and signed up on the lease. At that time the apt was vacant and I saw that the floor required varnishing, which they promised to do.
My move in date was Sep 1. When I went on Aug 31st to pick the keys I wa told I could not move in as the apartment still had to be varnished, and that it was scheduled for Sep 1 - so I could move in on Sat, Sep 2.
On Saturday I went to pick up the keys and at that time was told the floors had still not been done, and it was now to be done on the next working day, i.e. Tuesday. Tuesday (today) rolls around and it's the same story - floors not done.
Now the super is telling me that if I 'insist' on moving in I can and they will do the varnishing while I am in the apartment. Unfortunately, I signed an agreement saying that the building had 30 days to do minor repairs. But I don't see varnishing as a minor job.
I have been very polite with this guy but he is refusing to even acknowledge that there was a mistake on his part. I am thinking of wiring a letter to rental company's head office and make an official complaint, just to say that I don't think I have been treated fairly.
I am wodnering though - will ths serve any purpose? I have to depend on this guy for the next year for any repairs etc and don't want to start off with him on a bad note. But at the same time, I don't want him to get away with this behaviour.
What are my options here? Any ideas?
Location: God's own country
Posted on: 05-09-06 16:44:30
Alex,
Donot worry! It is always like this.
When we moved, they promised that they will paint our walls which they did not. They painted it the day after we moved over.
After this , I have been in that apt. for over 2 years now and have kept it as dirty as possible but there have been no complaints.
If i were you, I would not have my floor varnished.
Donot worry! All apartment super's are like this but they will not give you any problem.
TK A
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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.
It is always like this and I second TK's observation. The problem is not the SUPER but the company which owns the building. They are short staffed and in my case they have 340 apartments. They are more interested in fixing apartments and letting them on lease than fixing somebodys problem. My faucet in the bath tub is broken and is not mixing hot and cold water. It is nearly a week since I've complained nothing as happened till to date. Due to moisture creeping out some of the wall paint is peeling off and I've been told that it would take atleast 1 month before somebody does something.
The super tries to help you with his hand tied. He cannot do all the job and somepart of it has to be done by their contract guys. He cannot tell you the truth as he has to work on a budget every month. Even if you write to the owners nothing is going to happen as the owners know about this problem and they are more interested in getting rent than servicing people.
The best solution is to smoke the peace pipe with the super, buy him a 6 pack or even offer him some weed(if he is a white guy and middle aged -110% he will fall for it). If you make some noise, they will cooly tell you to move out and think of the moving charges plus the reconnection charges of your telephone, internet and cable. Additionally you need to get the address changed get a new school for your children. These guys know this hidden cost and hence they are playing with you. If you are really aggressive I can gaurantee you that you'll be first guy to get the rent increase notice 18 months from now.
You could contact the rental tribunal and you know how the bureacracy works !.
The best thing here is make peace with the super than to fight him.
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Speech by Thomas Friedman of The New York Times....
"When we were young kids growing up in America, we were told to eat our
vegetables at dinner and not leave them. Mothers said, 'think of the
starving children in India and finish the dinner.' And now I tell my
children: 'Finish your maths homework. Think of the children in India
who would make you starve, if you don't.'"
I think the company I signed up with is pretty decent and this is not some bargain basement price I'm paying so I'm surprised I have to put up with treatment like this.
But if this is the reality I guess I have to deal with it.... 
Quote:
Originally posted by alexm
I think the company I signed up with is pretty decent and this is not some bargain basement price I'm paying so I'm surprised I have to put up with treatment like this.
But if this is the reality I guess I have to deal with it....
Its probably the company. My suggestion would be to talk to the super and find out if you should talk to the company to expedite the process And talk to the company and let them know that you are unable to move in (dont call to complain about the super, rather about your problem about being unable to move in...let the company figure out what the problem is). Its unnecessary agravation but, since you have signed the contract, your option maybe limited to keep applying the pressure on both the super and the company in as polite a way as possible....especially with the super.
I hope noone takes the weed pushing advice seriously
. Not that I see anything wrong with weed itself but someone who does not know the 'market' should not venture out looking for the nieghborhood dealer. You are probably inviting trouble from all sides. -----------------------------------------------------------------
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1.It just happened at 4.00PM today our building management representative and a a philipino resident got into a fist fight over a plumbing issue.
2.In mississauga weed, crystal meth and other pharmaceutical drugs are available at your nearest bus(t) stop!. The availability in Toronto is much more and in plenty. There are certain dealers who deliver at your doorstep over a cell call. May be he writes his mileage off as a small business owner in his IT returns !.
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Speech by Thomas Friedman of The New York Times....
"When we were young kids growing up in America, we were told to eat our
vegetables at dinner and not leave them. Mothers said, 'think of the
starving children in India and finish the dinner.' And now I tell my
children: 'Finish your maths homework. Think of the children in India
who would make you starve, if you don't.'"
You are right. Greater Toronto area , in particular Toronto and Mississauga are getting into a state of blight.
Increasing crime and drug problem, combined with continuing influx of new immigrants is a recipe for further deterioration.
New immigrants , who are desperate and not know their rights are always exploited by rental apartments and basement owners with high charges and poor facilities
Immigrants, spread out and not just stay in the GTA.
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Non illigitamus carborundum
