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Do I have a case to sue my landlord?

2,616 Views | 17 Replies | Last: 3 yr ago by combat wombat™
Gilbert McGee
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3:14p, 4/29/22
AG
Attempt at a long story short - twice went 2 weeks without any running water back in July and November, respectively. This was literally due to a normal amount of toilet paper clogging the main line both times. Both times resulted in water shooting out of my bathtub drain, sink, etc. and disallowed me from using these items. In fact, both times the plumber assured me that something that small shouldn't be causing major plumbing issues at all. Both times it took the property management company a week to respond to the issue and another week to fix them. I was told to contact the emergency line but the emergency line laughably sent me to a veterinarians office (no joke)

This February, my hot water heater went out in the middle of the annual 20-40 degree lows in austin. Again, it took them over a week to respond and another week for the vendor to get to my place. The vendor then broke my water heater, adding an additional week to me getting hot water.

I asked for 2 weeks off rent thinking that was fair if not favorable, but that request was never even acknowledged. I was told that they were "speaking with the landlord to remedy this" but I reached to the landlord personally, and he said they never contacted him. My lease is almost up, so I can tell they are just trying to blow me off.

Do I have a case? I've documented most of this stuff. I'm debating just not paying rent all, moving out, and suing retroactively.
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Omperlodge
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3:25p, 4/29/22
Lowering of rent is not a requirement of the law. You could have filed with the justice of peace but all they will do is enforce the repair. Your remedies:

  • End the lease;
  • Have the problem repaired and deduct the cost of the repair from your rent; or
  • File suit to force the landlord to make the repairs.

Not much you can do at this point.
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jagvocate
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3:30p, 4/29/22
AG
Who's this property management company?
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Diggity
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In reply to Gilbert McGee • 3:57p, 4/29/22
AG
Gilbert McGee said:
Attempt at a long story short - twice went 2 weeks without any running water back in July and November, respectively. This was literally due to a normal amount of toilet paper clogging the main line both times. Both times resulted in water shooting out of my bathtub drain, sink, etc. and disallowed me from using these items. In fact, both times the plumber assured me that something that small shouldn't be causing major plumbing issues at all. Both times it took the property management company a week to respond to the issue and another week to fix them. I was told to contact the emergency line but the emergency line laughably sent me to a veterinarians office (no joke)

This February, my hot water heater went out in the middle of the annual 20-40 degree lows in austin. Again, it took them over a week to respond and another week for the vendor to get to my place. The vendor then broke my water heater, adding an additional week to me getting hot water.

I asked for 2 weeks off rent thinking that was fair if not favorable, but that request was never even acknowledged. I was told that they were "speaking with the landlord to remedy this" but I reached to the landlord personally, and he said they never contacted him. My lease is almost up, so I can tell they are just trying to blow me off.

Do I have a case? I've documented most of this stuff. I'm debating just not paying rent all, moving out, and suing retroactively.
don't do this. They will sue you and they will win.
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Gilbert McGee
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In reply to jagvocate • 4:24p, 4/29/22
AG
jagvocate said:
Who's this property management company?


Ambassador Property Management

Worst experience I've ever had by far. I have taken great care of the place - you'd think that not being able to live in my place for 1.5/10 months (yet still paying for it) would constitute some sort of repayment.
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Gilbert McGee
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In reply to Diggity • 4:25p, 4/29/22
AG
Diggity said:
Gilbert McGee said:
Attempt at a long story short - twice went 2 weeks without any running water back in July and November, respectively. This was literally due to a normal amount of toilet paper clogging the main line both times. Both times resulted in water shooting out of my bathtub drain, sink, etc. and disallowed me from using these items. In fact, both times the plumber assured me that something that small shouldn't be causing major plumbing issues at all. Both times it took the property management company a week to respond to the issue and another week to fix them. I was told to contact the emergency line but the emergency line laughably sent me to a veterinarians office (no joke)

This February, my hot water heater went out in the middle of the annual 20-40 degree lows in austin. Again, it took them over a week to respond and another week for the vendor to get to my place. The vendor then broke my water heater, adding an additional week to me getting hot water.

I asked for 2 weeks off rent thinking that was fair if not favorable, but that request was never even acknowledged. I was told that they were "speaking with the landlord to remedy this" but I reached to the landlord personally, and he said they never contacted him. My lease is almost up, so I can tell they are just trying to blow me off.

Do I have a case? I've documented most of this stuff. I'm debating just not paying rent all, moving out, and suing retroactively.
don't do this. They will sue you and they will win.


I've been told I should just move out asap, so I'm glad I'm throwing some feelers out. Thank you for the response
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lobopride
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4:47p, 4/29/22
I suggest more fiber.
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Mateo84
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In reply to Gilbert McGee • 5:54p, 4/29/22
AG
Gilbert McGee said:
jagvocate said:
Who's this property management company?


Ambassador Property Management

Worst experience I've ever had by far. I have taken great care of the place - you'd think that not being able to live in my place for 1.5/10 months (yet still paying for it) would constitute some sort of repayment.


I'm not understanding how anything you said equates to "not being able to live in my place" … does it suck to have no hot water or not be able to use certain toilets, sinks, etc? Sure, but that doesn't make it unliveable
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Yesterday
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6:59p, 4/29/22
AG
That sucks. I make it a point to fix anything my tenants inform me of to A.) make it easy for them to report something broken that may lead to larger repairs and B.) so they can't try and short me on rent for a non fixed item.

Most of the time they contact me and ask if they can repair a toilet or light if I pay for the parts. Win win.
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Keeper of The Spirits
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7:52p, 4/29/22
AG
If they don't meet your demands flush the whole damn roll on your way out the door. No running hot water in winter is unlivable and I'm a landlord
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Gilbert McGee
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In reply to Mateo84 • 8:54p, 4/29/22
AG
Mateo84 said:
Gilbert McGee said:
jagvocate said:
Who's this property management company?


Ambassador Property Management

Worst experience I've ever had by far. I have taken great care of the place - you'd think that not being able to live in my place for 1.5/10 months (yet still paying for it) would constitute some sort of repayment.


I'm not understanding how anything you said equates to "not being able to live in my place" … does it suck to have no hot water or not be able to use certain toilets, sinks, etc? Sure, but that doesn't make it unliveable


By Texas law, this has to be provided by the landlord. Appreciate the input though.
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Gilbert McGee
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In reply to Yesterday • 8:56p, 4/29/22
AG
Yesterday said:
That sucks. I make it a point to fix anything my tenants inform me of to A.) make it easy for them to report something broken that may lead to larger repairs and B.) so they can't try and short me on rent for a non fixed item.

Most of the time they contact me and ask if they can repair a toilet or light if I pay for the parts. Win win.


How it should be. Thanks for being a good person
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Mateo84
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In reply to Gilbert McGee • 2:51a, 4/30/22
AG
Gilbert McGee said:
Mateo84 said:
Gilbert McGee said:
jagvocate said:
Who's this property management company?


Ambassador Property Management

Worst experience I've ever had by far. I have taken great care of the place - you'd think that not being able to live in my place for 1.5/10 months (yet still paying for it) would constitute some sort of repayment.


I'm not understanding how anything you said equates to "not being able to live in my place" … does it suck to have no hot water or not be able to use certain toilets, sinks, etc? Sure, but that doesn't make it unliveable


By Texas law, this has to be provided by the landlord. Appreciate the input though.


You are welcome. Something being required by law is irrelevant to whether or not it is possible to live in a home without hot water.

The OP's situation sucks, and I think that the landlord should do something to make it right, but having a lack of control over the speed of repairs is one of the downsides of renting rather than owning your residence.
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Gilbert McGee
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In reply to Mateo84 • 8:41a, 4/30/22
AG
Oh, I lived there (just had to run to the gas station to use the toilet and had to join a gym to use a shower for 6 weeks). I meant "livable" as a legal term, not necessarily a literal one.
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JB
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12:23p, 4/30/22
AG
I think most of us understood what you meant

I'd move out as soon as you can. Keep documenting and emailing. You SHOULD get some money back, but the fight to get it wouldn't be worth the effort. Not a fun situation.

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979ag
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In reply to Gilbert McGee • 9:16p, 5/1/22
AG
Gilbert McGee said:

This February, my hot water heater went out in the middle of the annual 20-40 degree lows in austin.


Why would you need something to heat already hot water?
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TMoney2007
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In reply to Mateo84 • 12:42p, 5/3/22
AG
Mateo84 said:
Gilbert McGee said:
Mateo84 said:
Gilbert McGee said:
jagvocate said:
Who's this property management company?


Ambassador Property Management

Worst experience I've ever had by far. I have taken great care of the place - you'd think that not being able to live in my place for 1.5/10 months (yet still paying for it) would constitute some sort of repayment.


I'm not understanding how anything you said equates to "not being able to live in my place" … does it suck to have no hot water or not be able to use certain toilets, sinks, etc? Sure, but that doesn't make it unliveable


By Texas law, this has to be provided by the landlord. Appreciate the input though.


You are welcome. Something being required by law is irrelevant to whether or not it is possible to live in a home without hot water.

The OP's situation sucks, and I think that the landlord should do something to make it right, but having a lack of control over the speed of repairs is one of the downsides of renting rather than owning your residence.
You could conceivably live in a refrigerator box in the burned out husk of a house,... What is the point of your comment?
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combat wombat™
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7:34p, 5/3/22
AG
You think a place is livable without running water? Um, no.

Heck, I don't think it's livable without running hot water.
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