Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Tuesday's Tribute

Tuesday's Tribute
Yet Another Jay and Deb Production.
Today's Tuesdays Tribute topic came just at the perfect time. If you're pissed off at someone, today is the day to get it off your chest. Now that I can complain again (heehee). its on!
I want to tribute my slum---err landlords.
If anyone has been reading my blog for awhile, they'll remember that I was enrolled in the Mickey of the Mouse club against my will. Basically, since we've moved into this crappy apartment, we've caught approximately one mouse a month. Gross and nasty.
We mentioned the problem to the landlord who calmly explained how "a few" mice were normal in winter and not to get too bent out of shape. That was fine and dandy until spring and summer when our Monthly membership was upgraded for free. We started catching 2 mice a month, then 3, then it got to the point where we've been averaging 3 mice a week. Oh yeah, I said a WEEK. *insert gagging here*
We complained with no response. After more of the same, we complained again. This time, the landlord came and supposedly plugged up holes that he "found." We were hoping that the problem would be better, but no. This week alone has seen the death of 3 more mice. Its only Tuesday.
I called again and was not nice. Lucky landlord is in Puerto Rico on vacation and can't get here until next week. He had the nerve to say that he doesn't know what more he can do. Ummm, you haven't done ANYTHING, so what are you talking about? Ass.
Well, if he can't figure out what "more" he can do, then I won't be able to do anything either, when May's rent check suddenly disappears.
Hate this place. We're saving to move, but its going to awhile before we have enough. I should submit a bill for all the bleach wipes I've been buying to disinfect everything.

11 comments:

Ally said...

We have mice problems too but we havent caught/killed any yet. We know they are there tho, you can hear them in the walls sometimes.

Snap said...

Euuuuuuuwwwww! Yuk! Down here there is a group that mediates between the landlord and tenant. Anything like that there? Tuesday Tribute a good way to vent. Lower the blood pressure!

Kristina P. said...

This is why I don't miss renting!

Unknown said...

YUCK! I say buy some decon until the landlord can have the place exterminated...

Unknown said...

Ewww. Sounds like he needs to call pest control - Stat!

I hope you get the problem solved soon...

Laura said...

Yikes! A mouse infestation is not normal, despite what that landlord wants to claim. I suggest he either lets you get a cat, hires an exterminator, or both, and if he refuses, you should put your rent in escrow with your local housing court until he takes care of the problem. Good luck!

Bezzie said...

Ok this is an easy fix. Do you pay him the check directly? Enclose a few carcasses in a ziplock baggie. I mean if they came with the apartment, legally they're his property right? And you'd hate to borrow his property without his permission right?

And maybe when he sees them all together he might get the damn idea!

Of course a Polish in-home healthcare nurse nagging him constantly could also do the trick. That worked for us. She heard our cats skittering about at night and she was convinced they were mice and made him call an exerminator. We'll see next fall if it really worked!

Texasholly said...

Ugh! No fun. You definitely have the right to complain.

Halftime Lessons said...

OMG sweetie, my skin is crawling for you...BLEH.

Poor girl!!!!

Jay

Anonymous said...

Oooh, I like Bezzie's idea. I don't know how you do it. I really freak out over stuff like that!

Nikki said...

My snarky advice:

1) Call an exterminator and find out how much it would cost to completely rid your apartment of vermin (possibly the whole building).
2) Call the landlord and let him know that you are going to do one of two things (and this is your choice)
a) Withhold rent to pay for an exterminator to 'make the apartment habitable'; or
b) Call the health inspector, the NYS Department of Housing and Community Renewal, Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and the NYC Department of Environmental Protection to file complaints which will force him to 'make the apartment habitable' and reduce your rent in the meantime.
3) Do it -- just make sure to set the rent money aside if you choose to withhold it.

All apartments rented in NY are protected by a Warranty of Habitablity which includes making sure the apartment is free of vermin. If you have not only mice, but 3 freakin' mice per WEEK that means he's definitely in breach.

Miss you! *hugs*