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Royally ticked

September 11th, 2015 at 12:07 am

I won't go into all the details ...

Last week after having tried multiple solutions to fix the tub drainage issues (including using a Zipit) and finding that it was getting worse and not better, I finally called my property manager.

Today I got an email from PMs wife. In it she told me that my pipe had been completely clogged with hair and that if happened again that I'd be charged the service fee ($89.) Fine. Never had issues like this before, but whatever.

She then went on to say that her husband is going to come back on the 17th to do a walk through. It is expected that my place will be clean and clutter free.

Say what? I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a great housekeeper, but I'm not a horrible one. The cleaning aspect though, I'm really like again, whatever.

The clutter though has me furious. I don't see how it is ANY business of a landlord/property manager to tell someone they have "too much clutter."

I emailed her back to ask specifically what were the issues. She said one of the things was the boxes (broken down ones) stashed in front of the back door in my bedroom - that it was a safety issue (can't exit during a fire.) You're kidding, right?? If I was on the second floor there wouldn't even BE a back door exit.

I SO badly wanted to respond with a few choice words.

Am I totally off base in thinking that how much clutter/little clutter is none of their business? (I'd love to say - if you think it's bad now, you should have seen it six months ago before I let go of a whole bunch more stuff!)

I've decided to look into hiring someone to come in and do a deep cleaning. Kari's litter in the bathroom + the shower curtain not doing it's job totally, did a number on some areas of the floor which I'm not sure how to get off. Plus I just don't have the energy to do a "deep" cleaning like what it sounds like she's expecting. Not by the 16th for sure.

PMs wife said "it should look like the day you moved in" HAH so unrealistic. Somebody and a cat actually LIVE here (someone's who's first priority isn't keeping a pristine house .. sorry!)

I am just SO ticked right now! (Ate half a bag of chocolate after taking the trash out and generally stomping around and scaring poor Kari ...)

This makes me want to cash out 1/2 my stock and go buy a house. Just get out of having to deal with carp like this. (Yes, I know I'd then have to deal with the plumbing issues, etc. myself - but at least I'd have no one being judgmental about it)

28 Responses to “Royally ticked”

  1. Laura S. Says:
    1441928347

    The purpose of a walk through (in many cases the managers do this once to twice a year)should NOT be to see the place is immaculate. It is supposed to ensure you aren't destroying the place.

  2. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1441928617

    That's what I thought too. I don't think I've ever had someone do a walk through though any of the places I've rented.

    My principal took care of my cat the summer my dad died while I was in CA - she was in my house daily. She is on the extreme edge of neatness. She never said one word to me about how my house was (and it wasn't in it's cleanest state since I was rushed majorly to get out to CA at the time.)

  3. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1441928980

    Can anyone suggest a *really* good shower liner that won't let any water out?

  4. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1441929572

    She was calling me out for dirty dishes in the sink! "Dirty dishes belong in the dishwasher." Oy vey! (There were a couple plates and forks in the sink that day. Stone me please. I hadn't emptied the clean dishes from the dishwasher.)

  5. creditcardfree Says:
    1441930227

    Wow! This does seem out of line. A few dishes in the sink? I wonder if she is being passive aggressive about having to call someone to deal with the plumbing?

    About the liner, I think the most important thing is to make sure it is not up too high, there should be at least six to eight inches in the tub. Also make sure that each end sticks to the side of the shower. As a kid I remember my dad telling me to slightly wet the wall to then stick the shower liner to. And it helps to have something to hold it down sometimes too in each corner, such as a shampoo bottle or wet washcloth. I assume your liner is plastic, if it is fabric it probably won't keep water in...unless it is a microfiber fabric, which I have used successfully in the past.

  6. Petunia 100 Says:
    1441931855

    Tenant laws vary so much from state to state. Do you know what the relevant laws are? What does your lease say about walk throughs?

    I would be livid, too.

  7. Butterscotch Says:
    1441933845

    I'd take it up with your actual property manager - her husband. He should know that she is being rude to his clients. He might not know!

  8. Buendia Says:
    1441934688

    Oh! I'd be so angry! I agree - you need to know your rights!

  9. MonkeyMama Says:
    1441938066

    That's crazy!

    Unfortunately there are plenty of other hassles as a homeowner. So don't buy a home to solve all of your problems. Wink I like Butterscotch's suggestion and hope that's the case. I see it all the time with small business clients - their spouses have nothing else to do and are kind of crazy. & this is certainly not true across the board, but it happens often enough to be a pattern. SO I wonder if Butterscoth is onto something.

  10. My English Castle Says:
    1441940304

    That is really stupid. I'm mad too.

  11. starfishy Says:
    1441941115

    dishes belong in the dishwasher? that's outrageous. i could understand her reaction if you had punched holes in the wall or tore up the floor or something, but declaring that it should look like the day you moved is extreme and controlling. good luck.

  12. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1441946585

    Thanks everyone.

    That's an interesting idea ... contacting her husband to see what he has to say.

    MM - Smile I won't be buying a house just to solve this issue. Smile

    I do kind of wonder though if they are trying to get rid of me so they can raise the rent substantially. I read an article in the local paper this week saying that the housing here hasn't been keeping up with the employment levels.

    This isn't the first time the property manager has been in my place since I moved in ... and it was in better shape (clutter wise) this time than last time!

    Tennant laws here do say this:
    76-1421. Tenant to maintain dwelling unit.

    The tenant shall:

    (1) Comply with all obligations primarily imposed upon tenants by applicable minimum standards of building and housing codes materially affecting health or safety;

    (2) Keep that part of the premises that he occupies and uses as clean and safe as the condition of the premises permit, and upon termination of the tenancy place the dwelling unit in as clean condition, excepting ordinary wear and tear, as when the tenancy commenced;

    (3) Dispose from his dwelling unit all ashes, rubbish, garbage, and other waste in a clean and safe manner;

    (4) Keep all plumbing fixtures in the dwelling unit or used by the tenant as clean as their condition permits;

    (5) Use in a reasonable manner all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air conditioning and other facilities and appliances including elevators in the premises;

    (6) Not deliberately or negligently destroy, deface, damage, impair or remove any part of the premises or knowingly permit any person to do so;

    (7) Conduct himself and require other persons on the premises with his consent to conduct themselves in a manner that will not disturb his neighbors' peaceful enjoyment of the premises; and

    (8) Abide by all bylaws, covenants, rules or regulations of any applicable condominium regime, cooperative housing agreement, or neighborhood association not inconsistent with landlord's rights or duties.

    So I'm wondering if #2 and #4 are the ones they'd base their issues on with me.

  13. snafu Says:
    1441948196

    I glued small, thin magnets to the corners and two at mid point of plastic shower curtain liner to keep it in the correct position. You might experiment with $Dollar Store, stick-on magnetic tape to see if that helps short term.

    http://www.amazon.com/Danco-88821-4-Inch-Strainer-Stainless/dp/B000DZGJX4/ref=zg_bs_344740011_5
    I was shocked at the debris that traps in these very inexpensive gizmos. Just wipe out daily with a square of tp. I presume you've tried the daily TBSP of baking soda, + 2 TBSP vinegar flushed with boiling hot water. It's become a nightly ritual as the owner of this older condo.

  14. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1441949048

    Snafu - that's a good idea - will check out the dollar store idea.

    I did use a solution of baking soda/vinegar and as hot as I could get it water in the sink which helped temporarily. The tub it didn't seem to do anything for.

    If the current tub stopper thingy I have doesn't work, I will look into what you linked.

  15. VS_ozgirl Says:
    1441973031

    I'm sorry to hear that you're the victim of this snipiness - and that's what this is. I used to work at a real estate agency (actually two different ones) and the property managers would never ever say this to the tenants. Especially good tenants who pay their rent on time! What, are they going to evict you because you had some dirty dishes in the sink??? Make sure you speak to your actual property manager and let him know what his wife said (tactfully). i would hate to think that they would try and evict you because you had dirty dishes in your sink and some boxes in the wrong place (sarcasm). He's coming on the 16th, so just give it a good clean as if you were having guests over, focusing mainly on the areas you know really need work. If you can't do everything, apologise for the things you can't do. And most importantly treat this inspection as your chance to get various things fixed (if there are any). The longer your list is, the longer period of time from your next inspection visit Smile

  16. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1441974282

    Thanks VS. Yeah, I really don't get this. When I dropped off my rent check on Saturday I included a note thanking them for taking care of the plumbing issue. Then I get this!

    There really isn't anything which needs fixing in the apartment. I hate the filter thing they have on the kitchen sink because it makes it nearly impossible to handwash dishes (takes forever for the water to get hot enough) and I hate the thing on the shower head (would much prefer the kind where you can remove it to get the water stream closer to nooks and crannies ... what they have on it is a fixed head.)

    I have someone coming over this afternoon to do a run through and let me know how much they'd charge me. If it's less than $100 I'm going to go for it. It'll be worth it not just for this, but also to have my place really sparkling clean for when my mom comes. Definitely not something I'd planned on, but it will leave me time to get some other projects done which I didn't know if I'd get done or not before she came. (not worrying about the cleaning)

  17. creditcardfree Says:
    1441978152

    I use a large plastic cup and fill it with water to get the corners rinsed. Repeat as necessary. I saw this done by a professional cleaning bathtubs! Also once the shower is really clean you might try using a daily shower cleaner that you spray on after you shower. It helps get rid of soap scum and mineral deposits and safe enough to use everyday. We have used Method brand successfully.

  18. CB in the City Says:
    1441984578

    About the shower curtain -- I deal with this, too. As has been said, make sure it is long enough. If you have a very high shower bar, you may need to work up some kind of extender for the hooks, so the curtain hangs well within the tub. Also, get one of those heavy-duty plastic curtains. The thicker and heavier the better. The very weight of the curtain will help keep it in place.

    About the hair in the drain -- it helps a lot to brush your hair before you wash it. (Especially if you have long hair.) Easier to clean the brush than the drain.

    About your PM's wife, two words come to mind -- moronic b****h! I'd start looking for a new place when your lease is up. No one has to put up with that kind of crap.

  19. ceejay74 Says:
    1441987368

    SO out of line. Unless you're like hoarding 20 pets or letting mold grow or something, or they're showing the place to sell or rent because you're planning to leave, the level of cleanliness should NOT be anyone's business. (Though I would look into the laws just to make sure there's not something weird on the books in NE!)

  20. Liz Says:
    1441988813

    That's absolutely ridiculous! Dishes belong in the dishwasher?!

    For shower liner, I like to buy the heavy duty microfiber liners. Usually $15 or so at Target. They last a long time and are washable. Most come with magnets in the hem to help keep them from moving around. I can't stand plastic liners. And I hate shower curtains/liners attacking me when I'm in the shower Smile
    I had a landlady when I was younger (private house, she lived a block away), turn off the lamp I had left burning on my nightstand, telling me it was wasting electricity (which I paid for, so isn't that my problem?) and tell me that a stack of books by my bed was a fire hazard......um, ok.

  21. CB in the City Says:
    1442007111

    Yeah, a stack of books is a real fire hazard. Don't ever go into a library! Smile

  22. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1442012070

    CCF - That is a good idea for the nooks and crannies of the tub. Smile Those weren't quite what I was talking about though. Smile
    CB - I think the curtain is long enough - it just doesn't stick very well. I'm going to try to remedy that by getting some of that magnetic strip stuff Snafu mentioned.

    I do brush my hair out very well before washing it ... if I didn't, it would be a terrible tangled mess.

    Thanks Ceejay - I posted the only relevant clause that could possibly have anything to do with this in an earlier comment. But I agree, it's pretty crazy that the lady is getting after me like this for something so stupid!

    Liz - I agree! Wow - a stack of books and a lamp left on ... why can't people mind their own business?!

  23. starfishy Says:
    1442016546

    not sure if this was mentioned yet, but i use an auger to clean out my tub drain which gets clogged with hair. i used to pay the plumber over $75 to take care of it. then i bought a cheap one at home depot and watched a youtube video and now i do it myself. it's gross, but effective! Smile

  24. Kiki Says:
    1442079863

    I would confirm who is the official PM for your property. If she is the wife and not the official PM she should not be entering your apartment or providing comments.

    Also, in CA the manager of the complex has to provide a written list of items they are checking in the yearly inspection before a week prior to the inspection. That is all they are supposed to check. Dishes in the sink are not a hazard, safety issue or maintenance item. A comment like that to me would have received swift reply. Unbelievable!

  25. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1442081411

    Starfishy - I wasn't sure what an auger was so I looked it up on Amazon. What kind do you have? I saw different types varying from $15 to $300?

    Kiki - I do plan on doing that (confirming who is the PM.)

    I've lived in rentals all my adult life and other than the final inspection before moving out of a place, have never had someone do a walk through - til now.

    The dishes in the sink comment was partly what made me come close to replying with a few choice words. I held off though ... (at least in writing ... Kari got to hear me saying lots of choice words as I was stomping around my apartment ... poor cat.)

  26. Thrifty Ray Says:
    1442161263

    My first thought was the same as Kiki's...wth was she doing in your apt to begin with? If she isn't the PM or an employee, she had no business being there- and certainly no business contacting you to nitpik.

    I hope the cleaning bid is within budget and that you can enjoy your moms visit inspite of this ridiculous rudeness.

  27. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1442162757

    Thanks Ray Smile
    I don't know if she was actually in my apartment or if she based her email off what her husband told her.

    I do have to say this whole thing has motivated me to get on with several projects and decluttering I'd planned on doing, but just had kind of lost my mojo on. I'm hoping that after the lady comes in and cleans my place (she came in at $100 for 3 hours which is kind of what I was expecting) that I'll be able to do it myself by getting into a 20 minute clean up routine daily, as well as just making sure things get put back in their place as soon as possible.

  28. Rachael777 Says:
    1442259355

    I know this seems really basic but did you try drano and really let it sit (overnight) or several hours.. Also.. what can help a lot is get a plunger and plunge the drain . I learned this from someone and it really works AND then use hot water after. If it is only hair there is really no need to have someone out... those items should solve it. Smile

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