Manual Labor Required By Tenant to Maintain Rental Property? (limits?) - Was required to perform 24/7 labor, with a water issue.

[markskor]

What is the name of your state? Illinois

Checking to see if anyone can shed some light on labor requirements? I had water coming in, from the roof, in my apartment, and continued, for 5ish days. (minus, some lulls, on colder days.) The amount of water, coming in, required me to bail water, 3-4 x's during day hours, (which wasn't a huge hassle - I'm a team player) but my main issue, (which i told the building manager, multiple times) is having to set my alarm for bi-hourly, in the middle of the night to bail water as well. (for 5 plus nights straight.)

They have stated it is my responsibility to do this... Correct, or no?

I am a disabled veteran (Infantry 11-B) and this has been a real strain on my injuries and sleep. (I made them aware of this as well.)

I am renting only because, it lets me avoid, manual labor, i.e. yard work, shoveling, anything too strenuous.

Thank you in advance to anyone can can help.

 

[quincy]

What is the name of your state? Illinois

Checking to see if anyone can shed some light on labor requirements? I had water coming in, from the roof, in my apartment, and continued, for 5ish days. (minus, some lulls, on colder days.) The amount of water, coming in, required me to bail water, 3-4 x's during day hours, (which wasn't a huge hassle - I'm a team player) but my main issue, (which i told the building manager, multiple times) is having to set my alarm for bi-hourly, in the middle of the night to bail water as well. (for 5 plus nights straight.)

They have stated it is my responsibility to do this... Correct, or no?

I am a disabled veteran (Infantry 11-B) and this has been a real strain on my injuries and sleep. (I made them aware of this as well.)

I am renting only because, it lets me avoid, manual labor, i.e. yard work, shoveling, anything too strenuous.

Thank you in advance to anyone can can help.

I can't believe it would be your responsibility. Roof repair should be the responsibility of the property owner, not a tenant of the property.

I would seek out advice from a landlord/tenant clinic in your area. As a disabled veteran, you should be eligible for free or low-cost legal assistance.

 

[markskor]

I can't believe it would be your responsibility. Roof repair should be the responsibility of the property owner, not a tenant of the property.

I would seek out advice from a landlord/tenant clinic in your area. As a disabled veteran, you should be eligible for free or low-cost legal assistance.

Hi, firstly, than you for the reply. The issue, was bailing water, from the inside - they decided to let the ice/snow melt into the interior of the building v. having someone remove the ice from the valley of the roof, to stop the water leaks. (They said it was too dangerous for someone to stop the leak and decided to let the ice melt.) ultimately, requiring me to bail all the water.

 

[quincy]

Hi, firstly, than you for the reply. The issue, was bailing water, from the inside - they decided to let the ice/snow melt into the interior of the building v. having someone remove the ice from the valley of the roof, to stop the water leaks. (They said it was too dangerous for someone to stop the leak and decided to let the ice melt.) ultimately, requiring me to bail all the water.

That should not be your job. The property owner needs to repair the roof.

Following is a link to legal resources for veterans in Illinois. You should be able to find an attorney to assist you.

https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/veterans-affairs-va-benefits

 

[markskor]

That should not be your job. The property owner needs to repair the roof.

Following is a link to legal resources for veterans in Illinois. You should be able to find an attorney to assist you.

https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/veterans-affairs-va-benefits

Thank you again - (Hopefully this will help.) I have told them, (The building manager) that I have lost faith in this situation/location and will be looking to move asap, and they responded, with stating I will be charged for several thousands of dollars, to leave early. (This seems to be a major uphill battle, currently...)

 

[quincy]

Thank you again - (Hopefully this will help.) I have told them, (The building manager) that I have lost faith in this situation/location and will be looking to move asap, and they responded, with stating I will be charged for several thousands of dollars, to leave early. (This seems to be a major uphill battle, currently...)

Terminating a lease early without good cause can result in penalties. But it appears you have good cause.

You should speak to an attorney in your area. The attorney perhaps can draft and send a letter to the building manager and the property owner that educates them on habitability of premises.

 

[markskor]

Terminating a lease early without good cause can result in penalties. But it appears you have good cause.

You should speak to an attorney in your area. The attorney perhaps can draft and send a letter to the building manager and the property owner that educates them on habitability of premises.

Yeah, that's the issue. They are fixing the problem, within the 14 day window that is required; but used me for 5 days, to keep the place live-able/safe/without further damage, day and night. (So, I believe this is why they think they are fine.) It just seems like it would be wrong to have someone literally have to set alarms in the dead of night to get up and bail water. (for 5 nights straight) Thanks for checking.

 

[Just Blue]

Thank you again - (Hopefully this will help.) I have told them, (The building manager) that I have lost faith in this situation/location and will be looking to move asap, and they responded, with stating I will be charged for several thousands of dollars, to leave early. (This seems to be a major uphill battle, currently...)

Make sure you take many dated pictures/video of the leak. Do this everyday day that there is water coming down. If you have damage to your personal property make sure you document that as well as any damage to carpet/flooring/walls/...etc.

 

[markskor]

Make sure you take many dated pictures/video of the leak. Do this everyday day that there is water coming down. If you have damage to your personal property make sure you document that as well as any damage to carpet/flooring/walls/...etc.

Hi, thank you for a reply. Yes, I have taken videos and pictures, each day and night. They are saying, it is MY responsibility for the work, required to maintain the unit. (That's what I find puzzling.) Thanks again.

 

[quincy]

Yeah, that's the issue. They are fixing the problem, within the 14 day window that is required; but used me for 5 days, to keep the place live-able/safe/without further damage, day and night. (So, I believe this is why they think they are fine.) It just seems like it would be wrong to have someone literally have to set alarms in the dead of night to get up and bail water. (for 5 nights straight) Thanks for checking.

You could ask for credit against your rent payment but, again, it falls on the building manager/owner to make repairs or even quick fixes. Five days of leaking water is four days too many.

 

[Just Blue]

Yeah, that's the issue. They are fixing the problem, within the 14 day window that is required; but used me for 5 days, to keep the place live-able/safe/without further damage, day and night. (So, I believe this is why they think they are fine.) It just seems like it would be wrong to have someone literally have to set alarms in the dead of night to get up and bail water. (for 5 nights straight) Thanks for checking.

Is this a house or an apartment?

 

[markskor]

You could ask for credit against your rent payment but, again, it falls on the building manager/owner to make repairs or even quick fixes. Five days of leaking water is four days too many.

Thanks, Quincy. Yes, they have informed me that they have been in the "Right" and this incident was an "Act of God" so they feel it's okay for them to expect there paying customers to do more.

 

[markskor]

Is this a house or an apartment?

Apartment/condo building.

 

[quincy]

Thanks, Quincy. Yes, they have informed me that they have been in the "Right" and this incident was an "Act of God" so they feel it's okay for them to expect there paying customers to do more.

I think the law thinks differently.

 

[Just Blue]

Thanks, Quincy. Yes, they have informed me that they have been in the "Right" and this incident was an "Act of God" so they feel it's okay for them to expect there paying customers to do more.

While the snow/ice may be an "act of God" the continued negligence of the LL is not.