by O.Supreme » Wed May 31, 2017 11:11 am
Usually I don't post here because I try to maintain a positive attitude even when going through trials. And even this experience might have an unexpected ending....however...
My family and I have been renting/living in a 3 bedroom, 1 bath home for the past 2 years. Wanted to move out of our 2 bedroom apartment (which we loved), because we knew my kids would need their own space. Unfortunately housing in our area is really expensive. But 2 years ago we did find something in our price range (1,100 per month). Now granted it was an older home. No improvements had been made since it was originally build in the late 60's/early 70's (original windows, no central air which is pretty-much a must-have in Sacramento for the summers). But we made due, and survived 2 summers just fine.
Last Fall/Winter however we had record rainfall which effectively ended the 10 year drought in California. Also, last year we took in my mom (68) who was forced out of her living situation because after my parents divorce, my dad and his "OH GODZILLA! WHAT TERRIBLE LANGUAGE!" sabotaged things. So her coming to stay with us meant the kids were again sharing a room as of a year ago. A few months back In 2 of the bedrooms we noticed the carpet getting damp whenever it rained. My wife used to work for a construction company and knows all about structures and figured it was a crack in the foundation. We expressed our concerns to the Landlord, which we had had no issues with up until that point. They came out and "inspected" the area around the bedrooms for any grading issues and saw none, and totally ignored our comments about the possible foundation crack. We were willing to even move things around in our house so if they wanted to take up the carpet and inspect the foundation they could.....Nope they just said "keep monitoring it and let us know..."
So Fast forward to May 1st. --My wife is moving some furniture around in the kids room and finds Black Mold on the walls behind one of the shelves. I've never had an experience with mold, but I do know it can adversely effect health conditions. So again we call the Landlord right away....She says...OK, I'm not going to charge your rent this month, but you have to be out of the house by May 31 because "we cant fix it with somebody living there"...???
So of course I start to panic a little, but after a few quiet moments my wife and I make a plan. Her parents have a house under renovation not to far away. We agree that if we help with expenses and help with the renovation, they will let us stay there. After one year of trying to find a senior living facility for my mom with no results, we find her a nice place the very next day. So here were are at the end of May, my mom is settled in her new place. WE are living out of boxes, but making due in my in-laws place.
But here is the kicker...They gave us our deposit back because we cleaned and left it in immaculate shape. The landlord promised to "investigate the issue" (I know by law they cannot rent to tenants if there is a known mold issue, they can sell if they want having disclosed the mold issue, but not rent) So, I go by the house yesterday to wheel out the trash, as I promised I would , and they are showing the house to prospective renters! My wife looked up the listing. Not 24 hours after we vacate, and they have it listed for $1300 per month, requiring a 650 credit score, and requiring tenants to pay Sewer & Garbage (which they were paying before)!!!
I was furious~! So I saw one gentleman standing outside while another family was touring the house. I told him about the mold issue, and asked him to please tell the other family, I don't want anybody getting sick from staying in that house. My next fear was that, because it is getting hot now, we might not see rain again until September, none was forecasted, it was supposed to be mid-90's all week.
But wouldn't you know it....I woke up this morning and it was raining! It will get the carpets wet. The stagnant air of a locked up house with nobody in it should promote mold growth quite well I would think, especially if it heats up quickly with damp carpet...This is an older couple that own a least 4 or 5 properties. They have 2 sons that are property owners as well. They have plenty of wealth.. I don't understand peoples greed sometimes. If they don't want to invest in improving the house, just sell it. I cant understand how someone's conscience would allow them to make a family sick just to throw some more money on their pile before they die...
Also, I'm thinking of reporting the landlords, but not sure if they can come after us legally. Even if I report anonymously about the mold, the fact that we are the only two parties that know makes it kind of obvious who reported it. I mean my wife has a photo on her phone of the mold, so we can prove it, its not slander...But I don't know if they can come after us saying *we* were the cause...I don't want any family to get sick, but I don't want to get caught up in a legal battle as well...not sure what to do here...
There are no more good TV Shows, only ones that haven't disappointed me yet.