I live in a pretty nice apartment complex Owned by RDS and managed by REM Commercial. I recently got noticed that RDS is filing bankruptcy, however they are still advertising for a couple empty apartments; I'm confused on this.
Now to the main problem....
I had an issue a few months ago with the cold water handle being stripped and it wouldnt completely turn off so one of the maintenance guys came out and I guess replaced the handle and told me its older valve so be gentle? After a few months it started doing the same thing. I took my screwdriver out and pulled off the **** and well it looks like the valve (i guess?) is stripped.
I have tried to contact them, phone messages, emails, even 2 letters! And no response!!!!

Dont tell me to move because thats not an option right now. I am on a month to month lease right now and it has to stay like that for certain reasons.

I don't know anything about plumbing. My dad does but he says it will be hard to locate the thing to turn off the water.

Is there someone in particular i can contact about this?


Again - if your going to post and say "move"... dont bother. Thats not an option...
Thanks..

 

The plumbing issue is an easy fix. If you can change your own oil then you can change out that faucet stem. Crawl under the sink with a flash light. Locate the faucet under the sink. You will see two hoses going from the faucet to pipes coming out of the wall. Where the hoses connect to the pipes at the wall there should be valves you can turn off. Turn them off and then go back up to the top side of the sink and turn on the faucet to determine that the water is off. Now examine your faucet assembly and look for a manufacturer name and model. Take this info to your local hardware store and buy a new stem. You should be able to go on line and find info on how to change the stem.I would go into more detail but it depends on what faucet to determine the repair procedure. You should be able to deduct the cost of the parts from your monthly rent. I hope this helps. Gregg

 

I am pretty handy, I just know nothing about plumbing. It's my shower. I can't locate any thing to turn it off. Theres some handles going to my hot water tank but I don't think that will shut the cold water off to my apartment...
Lol

 

Hi Matt,
I would contact the property management or your leasing agent...With your background as a Fraud Specialist, I'm sure you can find them , Good Luck
<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR colspan="2"><TD align=center>Phone: (330) 491-3700 </TD></TR><TR><TD align=center>Fax: (330) 491-3888 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width="100%" align=center>Toll Free: 1-800-217-4047

contactus@remcommercial.net</TD><TD align=center></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


Rem Commercial - Contact

 

The laws vary State to State, but before you can initiate any repairs you must first 'legally' contact the land owner. You need to send them a certified letter detailing the problem(s). This is also called CYA. If you send the letter through regular mail or notify them verbally they can deny they were contacted. After they receive the letter they have X number of days according to the laws in your state to do the repair. If they don't, then you can hire a plumber and have the repair done. Deduct the repair cost from your rent and include a copy of the repair invoice with your rent payment. This is the way it would need to be handled where I live. Most states have some form of a tenant/lanlord union that enforces the law. Look them up and they can assist you in resolving the problem.

 

Thanks Space,
But if you read my first post in its entirety you will notice "I have tried to contact them, phone messages, emails, even 2 letters! And no response!!!!"

They wont respond.
I don't know if it is because of the bankruptcy or what.

 

If your not paying for the water let it drip, Hopefully they are taken over by someone better than a slum lord. Don't you ever see any maintenance trucks in the complex's parking lot. Snag one of those guys, most are cool about things. Just pop the lock on the buildings maintenance room, shut off everyone's water and when everyone complains, a maintenance crew will show up, then grab one of those guys.

 

A quick search shows that Ohio residents must follow what they call a 'rent escrow' when a repair is ignored. You would pay your rent to the clerk of courts rather than the landlord. Evidently you can't do any repairs unless the landlord agrees to it:

Landlord and Tenant Rights and Duties Under Ohio Law

I would contact them with your concern to make sure you follow the proper course of action.

 

03SSLE - Thanks. That is useful information. I am going to research these laws and go from there.

 

I like your idea Zippy. I do know one of the ex maintenance guys. I wonder if he will come in and shut the water off and switch it out? Haha. I wouldn't want him to get in trouble.

My dad said something about an escrow. Though I'm in the finance business I know nothing about those! Lol
Where would I do this? Is it just an account?