What can I do about my craptastic apartment complex?

[abraham90]

I'm renting at my first apartment here in Colorado Springs. I have had the worst experience. I'll let you know the entire story, so sit back, relax, and grab some popcorn (and maybe a tissue).

When I moved in the apartment, there was urine on the toilet, mold in the shower and on the sinks. I complained to the office and they gave us $100 off our second months rent, and sent maintenance to fix the problem. The guys came, asked for a paper towell, spit on it, wiped the mold and told me when it got really bad like that, just repeat.

The girl that lives upstairs from us has two children, and was living with her little sister (who is 1 year younger than me). Her little sister used to show up on our doorstep at 2 - 3 in the morning asking for alcohol. She would also show up to complain about the littlest things; usually to ask us to turn down our television. We found out her sister works for the company that owns our complex, at a sister property. Her sister began to call the cops on us repeatedly for anything and everything. One day a cop told us he had been outside our apartment for 10 minutes for a sound complaint to try and hear ANYTHING, but couldn't hear any noise. The problem is, the apartments have really thin ceilings, and a simple casual conversation can be heard word for word. We have to listen to their kids screaming, banging, slamming doors and bouncing bouncy balls on the floor or in the tub. Not only that, but her husband (who recently moved in) sits on his xbox until 4 in the morning yelling at his tv, then proceeds to go into their bedroom and have sex (which I get to listen to).

I eventually complained to the BBB, and our complex (naturally) denied the claims. I responded back, and not even a few hours after my response my neighbor upstairs came down screaming at us and cussing us out. I have no idea what started it, but she was able to cite my complaint to the BBB almost word for word. Not to mention, she even knew about the problems I had with a peeping tom. I wrote again to the BBB about how she knew all about our complaint. The BBB closed, yes CLOSED the case, and advised me to seek legal advice.

I cannot afford a lawyer. I tried contacting lawyers that advertised free legal advice but I could not get a hold of a single lawyer, and received no calls back.

Fed up, I let it go.

Now recently, I have had problems with my ceiling POURING water out of the light fixture in our bathroom. It usually happens between 12 AM and 3 AM, and pours for about 10 - 20 minutes, almost completely filling the bucked. The first time, the maintenance guy came and said it was *** water (and yes I mean sewage), and there was nothing he could do. The second time, we went to the office and spoke to a manager and no one ever even showed up to address the issue. The third time they came the day after, and "fixed the problem" by going upstairs. I have no idea what they did.

This is now the fourth time and I have just about HAD it. I still can't afford a lawyer, I'm reluctant to go to the BBB, and I can't even freaking find a proper list of the rental laws for the state of Colorado.

So my question is, what the hell can I do, or should I do?

[barclay76]

Go to school. Get a better job. Earn more money. Move.

[anglesey34]

Sewage? You got em. That is a serious code violation. The next time it happens, don't clean it up or call the apt complex management. Call code enforcement. (it's listed in the phone book) You live in a good city, they will send someone out and bingo! Be ready for the biggest fight you ever had with these people. But they will either have to fix the problem, or you get to move. They may also be fined.

[juanito]

Leaking sewer pipes are covered by tenant land lord laws. You can use that as a legal excuse to break the lease and ask for the return of all rent paid after the pipes started leaking. Keep in mind, you must sue first and get permission from the court to break the lease. If you do it without court approval, you may find you will be liable for the balance of the lease.

Attorneys fees are included in the judgment against the loser. You have a sure fire winner here, so find an attorney that will represent you on contingency. Lots of hungry attorneys will work on contingency.

Couldn't you skip the rant and just say "I have sewage from the apartment above me leaking into my apartment, management won't fix it, and I can't afford an attorney to sue. What do I do?" You will get more answers to choose from by eliminating the rant.

[eddis]

I would not stand for this. Many lawyers have a sliding fee, try legal aid.