How to stay friendly with my super?
September 5, 2007 10:35 AM Subscribe
A year ago I moved into a lovely, large, but old apartment, on the understanding that some repairs were needed...now that they're a year overdue, how do I get them done without becoming the tenant from hell?
My superintendent is lovely, if a bit...scattered...and always seems busy around the building; there are workmen in and out every week. I know a lot of work has been done on other apartments while they were vacant. Also, any "urgent" things that have come up have been handled immediately.
That said, there are about a dozen problems with the apartment, many of which the super pointed out to me when I was touring the place, saying "of course that will be fixed before you move in or shortly after."
How can I maintain our friendly relationship, especially since it's a small building and I live directly above their apartment, but still get the repairs done?
Other details: I'm in Ontario, have a month-to-month agreement, and there is also a property company running the building.
My superintendent is lovely, if a bit...scattered...and always seems busy around the building; there are workmen in and out every week. I know a lot of work has been done on other apartments while they were vacant. Also, any "urgent" things that have come up have been handled immediately.
That said, there are about a dozen problems with the apartment, many of which the super pointed out to me when I was touring the place, saying "of course that will be fixed before you move in or shortly after."
How can I maintain our friendly relationship, especially since it's a small building and I live directly above their apartment, but still get the repairs done?
Other details: I'm in Ontario, have a month-to-month agreement, and there is also a property company running the building.
Sarah, did you get any of what the super promised you in writing?
If you did, you can bring out the paperwork and approach the property company. Otherwise, I'd try for a face-to-face meeting with the super, and remind him of the things that need repairing in your apartment. If that gets you no joy, then resort to the polite letter as kuujjuarapik suggests.
I live in Ontario too, and when I moved into my old apartment, I made darn sure to get any modifications/upgrades to the apartment in writing.
posted by LN at 10:47 AM on September 5, 2007
If you did, you can bring out the paperwork and approach the property company. Otherwise, I'd try for a face-to-face meeting with the super, and remind him of the things that need repairing in your apartment. If that gets you no joy, then resort to the polite letter as kuujjuarapik suggests.
I live in Ontario too, and when I moved into my old apartment, I made darn sure to get any modifications/upgrades to the apartment in writing.
posted by LN at 10:47 AM on September 5, 2007
If the relationship with the landlord is reasonably friendly, offer to do the repairs yourself deducting the expenses from rent. I have been on both sides of that. As a landlord, it was nice to not have to worry about it other than the reduced rent check. As a tenant, it was nice to be able to just get the work done.
posted by TeatimeGrommit at 10:49 AM on September 5, 2007
posted by TeatimeGrommit at 10:49 AM on September 5, 2007
"Listen, I really like you and nothing personal, but I don't feel it's right for me to continue paying my complete rent every month until these things are fixed. Do you think I can pay you $X this month?"
posted by callmejay at 10:50 AM on September 5, 2007
posted by callmejay at 10:50 AM on September 5, 2007
I finally have my little apartment rented out, so as a friendly landlord, I would say be proactive and approach her, let her know exactly what needs to happen, when a good time for her to come by and fix these issues are and if you would like to fix them yourself.
I even put in my lease that there is a fifty dollar a month allowance for small repairs or upgrades, like if they want fancy light fixtures, or vent covers or new blinds or whatnot. It keeps it off my plate.
Callmejay's response is a little confrontational, now if she had been reminded constantly, then you get confrontational, but she probably hasn't even thought of your issues in over a year, just remind her.
posted by stormygrey at 11:06 AM on September 5, 2007
I even put in my lease that there is a fifty dollar a month allowance for small repairs or upgrades, like if they want fancy light fixtures, or vent covers or new blinds or whatnot. It keeps it off my plate.
Callmejay's response is a little confrontational, now if she had been reminded constantly, then you get confrontational, but she probably hasn't even thought of your issues in over a year, just remind her.
posted by stormygrey at 11:06 AM on September 5, 2007
What about a conversation that goes something like this: "I see the workmen around quite a bit. I'll be out of town on X days next week, which would be an ideal time for them to access my apartment and fix the things you pointed out when I moved in. If those days don't work for you, what date would? That way I can make the arrangements to give the workmen clear access to the apartment. ...That's great, because I'd like to get the items fixed before 1) winter arrives, 2) my parents visit, 3) they cause additional problems, 4) ____________. Thanks!"
Essentially, help me to help you get this work done, with a clear and agreed-upon date, and a vague "deadline" to help him/her understand why it would be good to handle this stuff now.
posted by cocoagirl at 11:55 AM on September 5, 2007
Essentially, help me to help you get this work done, with a clear and agreed-upon date, and a vague "deadline" to help him/her understand why it would be good to handle this stuff now.
posted by cocoagirl at 11:55 AM on September 5, 2007
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posted by kuujjuarapik at 10:44 AM on September 5, 2007