Hot water problem
 

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! I live in a private house that was converted into 3 apartments. Lately, whenever I go to jump in the shower, there is never any hot water. I *think* this is because one of the boys upstairs has a girlfriend now who sleeps over A LOT and she gets ready for work the same time I do. This is just really annoying, especially on a freezing NYC morning. I am not one of those people who can shower the night before either, I need my HOT morning shower. Any advice anyone? I know this seems petty but it is getting to be really frustrating.

I don't think it's petty. When it's cold outside, I live for hot showers.
I'm surprised that each apartment doesn't have its own water heater. I guess that's because it was house that was converted into an apartment but I think it's unfair that the tenants have to share a water heater with several other people. Just from both my roommate and I who enjoy hot showers, I know that a 3rd person could never live here because they'd never be able to take a warm shower! And if we run the dishwasher at the same time....forget about it!
I'd talk to your landlord and see if anything can be done. Inform the landlord that there is someone else that could be possibly contributing to the lack of hot water. I think it's best to go through your landlord rather than talk to your neighbor yourself. I know that if someone came to my door asking me to tell my significant other not to use up the hot water, I'd completely blow them off.

Yeah, I was definately thinking of going through the landlord. He doesn't do much for us though to begin with so I don't know if anything will even come out of it. I have been asking him to redo my bathroom since I moved in in 2001 but he hasn't. Hopefully I will be moving out within the next 3-4 months anyways :)

This may be seen as a d|ck move but if you're at your last wit I would suggest you can trace the lines off the hot water heater and when you find their's turn it off or turn it down. Not many people would try this, but, you'll know pretty quick if the reason you're thinking of is the real reason. That or you should be able to hear the water running past you in the pipes if their apartment is above yours. Especially since they probably ran the bathrooms one right above the other.

Do you also recommend spying through the window upstairs to see if the girlfriend is the one using the shower? ;)

I don't think it matters WHO is using the shower. I'd just talk to the landlord to see if it's possible to get a bigger or better hot water heater, and if nothing comes of it, since you don't want to shower at night, get up earlier.

Not a bad idea I'll have to add it to my list *L*
I was just coming up with ideas of how to figure out if it was a probably with the capacity or just that the hot water heater was buying to farm. But I think your idea is probably better anyway.

I already get up between 5:30 & 6 every day. I am not waking up earlier then that. The reason I feel it is the boy's new girl is because I know for a fact the lady upstairs showers the night before as we've had convos about this before. I never had any problems until this guy started dating this girl within the last month. I see him and her leaving out together for work the same time I do. I will probably speak to the landlord but I doubt he will do anything. He is real cheap and collects the rent well but that is about it. Just another reason for me to get out of Sh%&*y-A$$ Queens.

Hijack - sorry!
 

Don't you still live in FL? :p It doesn't get cold here, silly! Wait, are you a native? Ok, then the days where it dips down to the 50's must be kinda chilly for you. It's no fun trying to get all excited about Christmas while you're hanging lights from your palm trees while wearing shorts and a tank top and your hair is getting all frizzy because it's so humid! Bing said it best: "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know."

Winney, that sucks about your problem. I know plenty of friends who live in apartments, and their roomates boyfriends end up using the laundry, kitchen, etc. This sucks, because you can't really talk to the guy about it like you would a roomate. Try talking to your landlord, tell him it's better to give than receive...and he can give you a new water heater!

Re: Hijack - sorry!
 

50 degrees? Try 70 degrees! That's cold for me. ;) That is why I've been enjoying the winter this year so far! It hasn't gotten that cold yet.
Proud to be a Florida native! :)

have you talked to the guy? I used to live in a converted house as well, and would occasionally commiserate about the sh!tty landlord (who I actually finally got a court date against! /hijack) with other tenants. Hell, maybe he's gotten a cold shower too, perhaps you guys can work something out

But one thing to threaten your landlord with is that aside from housing codes, etc. there are some very basic things that you are entitled to as well that are musts- HOT water, heating, and working plumbing :)

1. Wait until she gets in the shower...
2. Flush the toilet.

:p

Seriously, try talking to the landlord... or just try to beat her into the shower - five minutes can make all the difference.

sleep with a hot plumber then get him to divert the pipes for hot water from the upstairs apartment to yours.

Ye, try talking to the land lord!:(

Get the heck out of an old rented room.

You like it because it is cheap or you might not be there.

Does it take a mental giant to figure out old s**t means Bad S**T?

Sorry, but get it together and get a new place!
;)

Ummm, I think that's easier said than done. And I don't live in a "rented room". Moving costs $$$$ and TIME. I cannot afford to pay for a broker right now to find another apartment, on top of security. I really prefer to move out of Queens but the rents I have been looking at are over $1000 a month. On a Social Worker's salary with car payments, insurance and student loans, that will be difficult for me to swing. And at my age, I am not getting a roommate unless it is either my sister or my boyfriend and I am not in that place with either one of them yet. Finding a good apartment takes time. I have no problems otherwise with where I live, it is a decent place despite the gripes. It is just going to take me some time to find a new place on my own, which I would much prefer doing then spending a ton of $$$$$ I don't have. I don't appreciate your comment either about "being a mental giant" and I am perfectly "together". I think we can all do without your negative comments. Thanks.

Call your landlord as soon as possible and write a follow up letter complaining about the lack of hot water. Tell him that when you take your early morning shower, you have no hot water. If he is a decent landlord, he'll resolve the problem to your satisfaction.

I'm not sure if you should tell him about your neighbor's situation.