Flooded Apartment - Any Advice?

[jubilance1922]

Originally Posted by Kevin

If you lived in Oklahoma, I'd know the answer under our Landlord/Tenant Act.

But you don't live in Oklahoma.

Also, I'm not a lawyer, so even if I knew the answer, I wouldn't tell you. It's a bad idea in general to solicit legal advice on the internet. It's an even worse idea to follow it. Talk to someone you know who is familiar with landlord tenant law in your state. Find your state statute. Know what your rights are.

ETA: I forgot to say that you'll be in my prayers. No one deserves this ****.

I didn't ask for legal advice, I asked for advice from people who have been in the situation. So thanks for telling me not to ask for something that I didn't ask for.

Thanks to everyone else who actually read what I wrote and answered accordingly.

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by jubilance1922

I didn't ask for legal advice, I asked for advice from people who have been in the situation. So thanks for telling me not to ask for something that I didn't ask for.

Thanks to everyone else who actually read what I wrote and answered accordingly.

Shop vac first. Get the water up. Everything will be ruined!

Get the carpet up or mold can set in!

Sorry that this happened to you!

Been there and it isnt any damn fun!

[OneTimeSBX]

new carpet wont do anything unless you live on the bottom floor and they take everything out down to the concrete...i have been in this situation, except our half-underground apartment was next to a burst water line that was actually seeping thru the walls (it looked like a special effect in a sci-fi movie i swear!)

your main concern should be the mold and mildew, it is a silent killer...

[AGDee]

This happened to a co-worker's daughter and her hubby just a couple weeks ago. Their renters insurance is covering her stuff and going after the apartment's insurance for the deductible. They offered them a different apartment because theirs won't be liveable for a while but ONLY if they would sign a paper saying that their insurance company won't go after the deductible from them. So, they have refused to sign, gotten a lawyer and are living with my co-worker for now. They just want out of their lease at this point and get their $500 deductible paid.

[ShaedyKD]

Sorry that this happened to you, I can feel ya - I live on the top floor and my roof leaks every time we have a downpour. My best advice would be to ditto those that said document everything, if your complex office is not working with you, hopefully there is a corporate office that you can contact. As much as it would suck to pack everything up, if there is an option for you to move within your complex, I would probably take it. I'm sure some friends would pitch in and help you move.

Word of advice to every apartment resident - GET RENTER'S INSURANCE! Even if you are in college, the contents of your apartment would be very expensive to replace if, God forbid, there was a fire, hurricane, tornado, flood, etc. Like any insurance, a couple bucks a month is worth it, because you never know!

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by jubilance1922

I didn't ask for legal advice...

When you ask what the landlord is "obligated" to do for you (your exact word, I think), that's a legal question. What other than a legal duty would you expect to "obligate" them? Religious fervor? A strong belief in a perfect tenant experience?

There's need to be snippy. I was just pointing out that the answer to your question is possibly more complicated than you might think.

Good luck with your situation.

[KSigkid]

A couple of years ago, my wife and I moved into a brand-new apartment. One day we came home to discover that they had not hooked up the refrigerator correctly, and our kitchen was flooded. A couple of weeks later, we discovered they had used a tub-fitter for the bathtub, but had not installed it correctly, and we had a leak in our kitchen.

After going back and forth with the management company, we ended up with two months of free rent, and an offer to use a temporary apartment during repairs. It took a threat of going to the state (my wife was working for the Commonwealth at the time), and a close reading of our lease to realize we had some rights.

I think the suggestions of asking for temporary housing are good, but take a second look at your lease agreement. I would also get on the management company's case, call every couple of days. Take pictures of everything. Water damage is scary because of the mold issue, which is a serious issue.

Good luck; unfortunately I have been there.

[Kevin]

I was just thinking of it being a constructive eviction and grounds for cancellation of the lease regardless of the terms of the lease (in some states)... like I said.. the obligations depend on the law of the state though.