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so a couple of days ago, we noticed a crack in the ceiling in our bathroom, that had water leaking out of it.
we called the building maintenance person, and after taking a look he said he'd need to get into the suite above us, and no one there was home, so he planned to try again today.
In the meantime, the crack has turned into a piece of the ceiling barely hanging on by one corner, and the water situation is worse.
Hopefully this get fixed before we have to evacuate the apartment.
hugs appreciated.
Comments
!! YIKES !!
... And "Whaa-aat??" Building management doesn't have (master) keys to their own building ???
And they can't find a locksmith?
"Try again the next day..." no, No, NO. Trying again 'tomorrow" is what your 'maintenance guy' guy does in his just-started job search.
They have immediate, ongoing and possibly accelerating damage to =their own= building ... and they can't deal with it???
There is a risk to your immediate safety - things, including the upstairs toilet, can fall through ...
Hope you have a second bathroom ...
There is also a health risk to you & your Mom (I think she lives with you? ...)
Mold.
Plus any 'cooties' coming from upstairs.
The second problem in a flood event (after getting the water out of the dwelling) is mold. Expect mold in three days or less.
And a flood event is =exactly= what you have.
See: USA FEMA at Ready.gov for mold remediation.
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Just when you thought you were going into a tough week...
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Q: "Aside from that, how was the play Mrs. Lincoln?"
A: "Next time, can I have a table instead of a Booth?"
PS: Document everything.
First notice to building, non-response by "maintenance", photograph the ceiling and rest of bathroom.
Anyone. everyone you talk to - ask them t spell their name for your records.
Call twice daily.
Ask desk person to connect you to their boss.
If building is somehow 'part of a chain of properties', call them. I did this once, when local property management didn't respond to a roof leak coming into my unit ...It worked.
Document. Time, date, person talked to. If you Mom is living with you, have her call and {sorry} have her do the 'little old Lady routine'.
If this is true: "Oh, the catch buckets are filling up with water, and they are just so heavy to dump..."
I'm With Alan
First, document everything. Do you have a camera? Send pictures to the landlord with times attached.
Send an email or a fax to the landlord, again with time of transmission.
Keep on bothering everyone. People hate this. When you talk to someone get their name and contact details and send them a hard copy of what you discussed. Again with times.
There must be building insurance. Find out who the Insurers are and bother them as well. They will want to minimize damage and the cost.
I cannot believe that your maintenance man does not have a master key to all the apartments. I live in a block of units and our Building Manager has keys to every flat. If not, get a locksmith straight away.
Find your own lease/rental details. Your entitlements will be on it.
Don't be the nice Dorothy that we know and love. Stir things up!
Speak up
Hammer on maintenance and the managers. This is an immediate fix problem. It was many years ago, but a person I worked with had a toilet fall through the ceiling of her bathroom! And the owners were talking about converting the apartments into townhouses!!!
Gillian Cairns
Implied warranty of habitiblity
Legal Protections and Regulations
In Ontario, Canada, the legal framework surrounding in rental properties is primarily governed by the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA). It emphasizes the landlord’s responsibility to keep the property in a good state of repair and comply with health, safety, and maintenance standards.
Landlord’s Obligations:
Maintenance and Repairs: Under Section 20 of the RTA, landlords are obligated to maintain the rental unit and property in a good state of repair, ensuring it complies with health, safety, housing, and maintenance standards.
Local By-laws: Municipalities in Ontario may have by-laws that set standards for the maintenance and occupancy of property. Landlords must ensure they adhere to these local regulations,
Check with local authorities. I'm willing to bet that you would be with in your rights to withhold rent monies if they don't promptly take care if the problem. If the ceiling is falling in due to water leaks from above your bathroom is compromised and your unit is not habitable.
The Residential Tenancies Act states in parts I through III that maintenance on structure and plumbing shall be done and all parts are to be sound.
See: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/060517
Hugs
Patricia
Happiness is being all dressed up and HAVING some place to go.
Semper in femineo gerunt