Venting

Venting (Full Version)

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TheLilSquaw -> Venting (6/27/2013 11:54:38 AM)
Three weeks ago, my management company sent out notices that they were replacing my fuse box along with those in the townhouses on my row. They never showed up or cancelled. I was told they would be rescheduling because they got behind. About a week ago, I started getting power surges that tripped surge protectors upstairs and downstairs. Two days ago one such surge caused my AC unit to stop working completely for hours. I was told that is normal when it gets "hot". I was also told by the management office that that surges are normal that even the office gets them. WTF?! This isn't the 1st time I have had electrical issues in since moving in here. Last time, there was loose wiring behind an outlet. Today, maintenance came out to check and said the issue is that I have a tv, cable box and dvd player hooked up in the front room on the same outlet. Huh? I'm frustrated and annoyed. I have everything on surge protectors but it's crazy. I asked when they were going to replace the fuse box like they said they NEEDED to. I was told that has been suspended until further notice.

kalikshama -> RE: Venting (6/27/2013 12:06:05 PM)
quote: Today, maintenance came out to check and said the issue is that I have a tv, cable box and dvd player hooked up in the front room on the same outlet. Huh? Lol, what, you are supposed to plug one of these connected devices in another room?

TheLilSquaw -> RE: Venting (6/27/2013 12:09:18 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: kalikshama quote: Today, maintenance came out to check and said the issue is that I have a tv, cable box and dvd player hooked up in the front room on the same outlet. Huh? Lol, what, you are supposed to plug one of these connected devices in another room? THAT is exactly what I asked! I also have had those exact things hooked up in that exact same way in every place I have lived in. Granted I do have certain electrical appliances that aren't plugged in unless used but that is for different reasons. This seems like nothing more than an attempt at passing the buck and trying to make it my fault.

kalikshama -> RE: Venting (6/27/2013 12:11:31 PM)
Agreed. Perhaps someone else will come along with suggestions on how to get tough with your management company. I've only ever had problems with microwaves and toasters on the same circuit.

mnottertail -> RE: Venting (6/27/2013 12:15:36 PM)
You would get tough with them by calling the State Electrical Inspector.

TheLilSquaw -> RE: Venting (6/27/2013 12:18:22 PM)
Due to other issues I have called the county inspectors once and only when the unit failed inspection and they were put on notice did they fix the issue. This seems to be their MO.

kalikshama -> RE: Venting (6/27/2013 12:18:47 PM)
I asked...and I received [;)]

OrionTheWolf -> RE: Venting (6/27/2013 12:47:29 PM)
This as well as ask the Fire Marshal to inspect because of the electrical issues. The leading cause of fires in the home are electrical related. Explain to them the situation in writing and they should respond. quote: ORIGINAL: mnottertail You would get tough with them by calling the State Electrical Inspector.

TheLilSquaw -> RE: Venting (6/27/2013 12:56:17 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: OrionTheWolf This as well as ask the Fire Marshal to inspect because of the electrical issues. The leading cause of fires in the home are electrical related. Explain to them the situation in writing and they should respond. quote: ORIGINAL: mnottertail You would get tough with them by calling the State Electrical Inspector. Thanks Orion. I didn't even think about them as an option to report if that is the route I decide to take. I will add that they posted notices today that they no longer consider AC's not working or fridges going out as an ER and will only respond to these calls during normal business hours. I was told they are trying to cut down on the OT of the maintenance dept.

DesFIP -> RE: Venting (6/27/2013 4:44:36 PM)
You can call your power company and ask them to check what's going on. But yes, calling the Fire Marshal is probably your best bet. As is calling the local newspaper and asking them to do an article on how your management company doesn't care about fixing electrical problems before people die. Unfortunately, the threat of media telling everyone what rotten, uncaring people they are, and naming names, seems to be the only way to get things done. It's amazing how a reporter, even better if tv, showing the fat cats refusing to comment while running away with coats over their heads is an impetus to fixing problems quickly.

TheLilSquaw -> RE: Venting (6/27/2013 4:51:56 PM)
Des, When I had to call the inspectors last time (only a couple of mths ago) it was my last resort. They were making dumb ass excuses like now and not fixing a major issue. They seemed shocked that I would go to the county inspector. My neighbor was fighting the same issue as I was for years before I called the inspector and not only resolved it for me but for her as well. It seems people simply forfeit their rights or break their lease and move. I refuse to do either.

DesFIP -> RE: Venting (6/27/2013 5:00:35 PM)
Tell them that either they fix this, or you're calling the state electrical board and turning them in. As well as calling someone who works for the local paper. I had some idiot years ago threatening to remove my child from my home once they discovered her grandfather had set up a large trust fund, and I mentioned that a friend's husband was a tv news producer and he would be happy to be here filming when she showed up. Never saw someone run away with their tail between their legs so fast! We had gone to ask for help from the county and this money hungry bitch announced she could do whatever she wanted without any reason or legal justification. Media coverage is something everyone's afraid of. I can see an ac being out as a nonemergency unless the resident is elderly or an asthmatic. But a refrigerator? Are they going to reimburse you for $200 in spoiled food? But your power company will come examine the panels for free, and you can probably get a written report from them stating what the deficiencies are. At which point, with that, you can threaten a class action suit by all present and past residents.

DarkSteven -> RE: Venting (6/27/2013 5:07:36 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: TheLilSquaw Three weeks ago, my management company sent out notices that they were replacing my fuse box along with those in the townhouses on my row. They never showed up or cancelled. I was told they would be rescheduling because they got behind. About a week ago, I started getting power surges that tripped surge protectors upstairs and downstairs. Two days ago one such surge caused my AC unit to stop working completely for hours. I was told that is normal when it gets "hot". I was also told by the management office that that surges are normal that even the office gets them. WTF?! This isn't the 1st time I have had electrical issues in since moving in here. Last time, there was loose wiring behind an outlet. Today, maintenance came out to check and said the issue is that I have a tv, cable box and dvd player hooked up in the front room on the same outlet. Huh? I'm frustrated and annoyed. I have everything on surge protectors but it's crazy. I asked when they were going to replace the fuse box like they said they NEEDED to. I was told that has been suspended until further notice. Okay. First off, tv, cable box, and dvd player draw little amperage. You've got 15 amps capacity, maybe 20. The ac should draw a bunch, but nowhere near enough to trip a breaker or blow a fuse. So they're bullshitting you. I agree with the others about calling the state. Another alternative is to send them a letter something like: Dear Management SOBs: I have had recurring problems with my AC failing lately. I have been tracking the number of hours that it has been nonworking - could we agree on a reduced rent since the unit's habitability was reduced during the down times? Also, I have been concerned that you don't have the funds to replace the fuses as originally planned. Is this a serious cash flow issue? Is your solvency at risk? ************ You could have a legit gripe about the unit being less habitable. However, you'd have to go to court. The mention of that is merely a threat. The prospect of someone spreading rumors they're insolvent should terrify them. It would scare tenants away, and spook the lender holding their mortgage. That said, notifying state inspectors is your best bet.

dcnovice -> RE: Venting (6/27/2013 5:18:28 PM)
FR I hate to say it, but your best course of action might well be moving. Probably not what you'd hoped to hear, I realize.

TheLilSquaw -> RE: Venting (6/27/2013 5:22:45 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: DesFIP I can see an ac being out as a nonemergency unless the resident is elderly or an asthmatic. But a refrigerator? Are they going to reimburse you for $200 in spoiled food? What happens if it goes out on a Friday night and they don't open again until Monday at 9 am is what I asked. He said, " you have rental insurance right?"

TheLilSquaw -> RE: Venting (6/27/2013 5:24:40 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: dcnovice FR I hate to say it, but your best course of action might well be moving. Probably not what you'd hoped to hear, I realize. I've thought about moving once my lease is up but I'd prefer if they got their heads out of their asses.

FelineRanger -> RE: Venting (6/27/2013 5:27:45 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: TheLilSquaw Thanks Orion. I didn't even think about them as an option to report if that is the route I decide to take. I will add that they posted notices today that they no longer consider AC's not working or fridges going out as an ER and will only respond to these calls during normal business hours. I was told they are trying to cut down on the OT of the maintenance dept. The laws in MD can't be so different from the ones I have dealt with in PA and NJ as an apartment maintenance tech and your landlords just violated several. First off, a nonworking fridge at any time is an emergency that must be attended to immediately. Air conditioning also falls under emergency during summer. Overtime budget be damned, they must respond to these calls immediately. Your original electrical problem is also very much a problem with the building itself and an immediate fire hazard. The things you have plugged into that power strip do not draw anywhere near enough current to cause breakers to trip. On the electrical hazard, I would bypass everybody else and bring the fire marshal in. Either that or have fire extinguishers at the ready. Document everything, keep all their idiotic memos, and then drop it all on the desk of the local prosecutor and a lawyer. Much as I despise lawyers, this case is so clear cut, any one you see will be salivating at the thought of the settlement. But, most importantly, keep yourself safe.

TheLilSquaw -> RE: Venting (6/27/2013 5:29:57 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: DarkSteven [:'(]Another alternative is to send them a letter something like: Dear Management SOBs: I have had recurring problems with my AC failing lately. I have been tracking the number of hours that it has been nonworking - could we agree on a reduced rent since the unit's habitability was reduced during the down times? Also, I have been concerned that you don't have the funds to replace the fuses as originally planned. Is this a serious cash flow issue? Is your solvency at risk? I actually put all requests in writing and get a copy stamped by the management office when I turn it in. That is why legal aid told me to do when I had the last issue with them and the county inspector said the same thing. I called legal aid today and faxed them the notice the management sent folks and they are looking it that and what steps I should take regarding the surges since I do have in writing from the management that the fuse box needed to be replaced and was scheduled.

TheLilSquaw -> RE: Venting (6/27/2013 5:34:09 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: FelineRanger The laws in MD can't be so different from the ones I have dealt with in PA and NJ as an apartment maintenance tech and your landlords just violated several. First off, a nonworking fridge at any time is an emergency that must be attended to immediately. Air conditioning also falls under emergency during summer. Overtime budget be damned, they must respond to these calls immediately. Your original electrical problem is also very much a problem with the building itself and an immediate fire hazard. The things you have plugged into that power strip do not draw anywhere near enough current to cause breakers to trip. On the electrical hazard, I would bypass everybody else and bring the fire marshal in. Either that or have fire extinguishers at the ready. Document everything, keep all their idiotic memos, and then drop it all on the desk of the local prosecutor and a lawyer. Much as I despise lawyers, this case is so clear cut, any one you see will be salivating at the thought of the settlement. But, most importantly, keep yourself safe. That is the law in CA as well regarding the AC and fridge. Here to I believe but legal aid will be getting back to me with the actual codes and regulations. I do document everything have since my issues started here. I make copies of maintenance requests that are signed and stamped by the office staff, keep all notices they send out, I note date and times maintenance comes out and their name, keep photos, ect.

lovethyself -> RE: Venting (6/27/2013 5:42:51 PM)
I agree with DS. Your tv, cable box and dvd player should be nowhere near the limit of an outlet. Some older houses will pair outlets all over the place, so if you don't know the layout of the wiring, the AC unit upstairs could be on the same outlet as the tv in the den (for example). It would be rare for that to happen, but possible. An easy, though not entirely accurate, way of calculating how much is plugged in is to add up the wattage (listed on the back of almost all appliances), and divide the total by 10. The resulting number is how many amps amps are being used. Your results will be a little higher than reality, but having that "squish room" is good, imo. *NOTE* This formula only works in North America (where we have a 110 volt system). The big draw appliances are kettles, coffee makers, toasters, microwaves, hot plates, space heaters, electric woks, etc. Anything with an electric heating coil in it is a pretty safe bet to be a high draw. I know this isn't really the topic of your venting lilsquaw, but I thought I'd try to help you see through their bullshit next time. I'm not an electrician, but I've set festivals up with electricians for years, and this is what I've learned from them.

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