So, if you saw my last post about us having no water pressure outside where the hose hookup is, then this is onto more of that. My husband did take a look at it. But, that's all he did. He saw that there was no water pressure and the water just barely trickles out. So, he didn't know what to do, so he just told me to send an e mail to the landlord. So, I did. I told him that my son is having his birthday party here at the house in 2 weeks and so we would like to have this fixed before then so I can clean out the yard (it's really dirty, even though we just cleaned it out, there is a lot of dirt on the siding that I would like to clean off before the party, and I bought a slip n slide I would like to set up for the party). That was over a week ago. I never heard back from him. My husband in the last 3 days has called him 2 times and left messages and also paged him. Nothing. No call back, no e mail, nothing. I do think that maybe the water was just shut off outside for the winter (we just moved here in January), and all I need to know is where and how to turn it back on. He doesn't have to even come over, just send me a quick note saying "this is how to turn it on", or if it's not that, and it's a bigger problem, then I need to know if I should call a plumber out. NOthing! I don't know what to do. The party is on this saturday now, and I'm about to just call out a plumber and take it out of rent. The owner has said to do that with any problems or handy work that needs to be done, but I still like to check with him first since it is his house. Usually he is a very nice guy, very laid back and has no problem with us doing anything to the house. So, what should I do? Should I just call out a plumber? Should I just wait even more? I'm very annoyed with him. I was thinking maybe he is on vacation, but even still, a quick call back that takes 2 seconds wouldn't be so hard. I was also thinking about asking a neighbor since we are in a townhome, maybe they have something similar. So, what should I do now?
Thanks!!
** Updated**
Ok, no need to be rude and insulting! No we have never had to deal with this before. We were always in an apartment, if we ever had a problem, we would call the office and they would take care of it. My husband has been away in training for his job. Right now he is only home on the weekends, so he is trying to help me with this being 3 hours away. I'm not over reacting. I'm just asking a question. It's not easy to "hear" a tone when it's in writting, I'm very calm and was just asking. My husband went from H.S. to the marines to being married to me and living in an apartment. Both of us have never even had a back yard, and even when I did have a yard, I will still living with my parents and they took care of everything. We are not handy people. My husband didn't even have a dad to show him how to do these things, so just don't assume that my husband is that dumb that he can't just figure it out himself.
So, my husband just called me from work and said that the owner FINALLY called him back. He said he has no idea why it's not working. He said to just call the water company and ask them. Then he said if they don't know what to do then to call a plumber out and take it out of rent.
We do have a water spicket out front, but that one doesn't work either. I actually went and bought the hose myself a couple weeks ago because there wasn't one. All of my neighbors are outside watering their flowers and stuff and I had just planted some and can't really water them because of this. No one else has any problems. My landlord had no idea it wasn't working. So, now that we have talked to him, I am now off to call the water company! Thank you!
I do have it in writting from him, well it's an e mail actually. I have saved every single one from him. Usually we pay out of pocket, and then I just forward him the reciept and deduct it out of the next month rent. I don't have his home address.
Cheryl, I wouldn't even know what to look for really. We don't have a closet down there. It's kind of an odd layout. Out front, we have to go up stairs to get to the front door, then we have 2 levels. We have a condo underneath us with someone else living in it. Then to go out back, you have to go down stairs (what would look like a basement, but is really just stairs) that goes to a laundry area and the back door to go out back. There isn't a closet down there. We have a hall closet by the front door, but there is nothing in there. All other closets are on the top floor in the bedrooms. We do have a switch thingy where you can turn off all power and everything down by the back door and I will take a look at it, but they aren't labeled and so I don't know what goes to what, lol!
Thanks!
Ask a neighbor if there is a shut off somewhere inside.
If there isn't, notify the landlord that you are going to call the plumber. Remind him in the email that he stated that you can take repairs out of the rent. If he doesn't reply, then go for it.
LBC
Woah, back up the bus. You live in a condo and the outside faucet is shut off!? Your landlord probably had no control over that which is why he is ignoring you. Unless he owns the building and not the condo unit. Even if he owns the unit he may have had trouble in the past with idiot usage of the faucet.
You may not be that guy but I am sure he has rented to enough of that guy to not allow anyone to use the outside faucet. Some people are very irresponsible with things that cost them nothing. Like letting the darn thing run for no reason.
If I were a landlord the only way I would let a tennant control something like that is if they alone were responsible for the water bill.
Yeah it could be as simple as a valve inside that needs to be opened...I guess he could have closed that off in order for it not to freeze in the hose over the winter. At this point I'd just keep documentation of the attempts to contact your landlord without return communication, in case you ever need to show it to him. And go ahead and call a plumber to come out and take a look. But I'd call and email the landlord once more, explain that you need the hose for the party, etc., and that you know he's busy so you're just going to call a plumber to come out and will include the receipt of the invoice with your July rent...and take that amount out of your rent. Or if he'd prefer you handle it differently, then just to call or email you and let you know, because the plumber is scheduled to come x day (give the landlord about 3 days notice).
In chicago for most repairs tenants can send the landlord a 14-day notice to get it fixed and then if the landlord doesn't take care of it, the tenant can have it fixed themselves and then deduct from rent. But I don't think use of the hose would fall under the list of things that landlords HAVE to take care of. That's why I'd try the above approach and see how he handles it.
The outside water is controlled by a valve. Usually it is close to the water meter outside in the ground. I would be very careful calling out a plumber for something like this. It is very easy and the company that comes out will charge you a trip charge just for showing up to turn a valve on. Why spend the $75 when you can do it yourself.
Not trying to be mean, but you seem to be way over reacting over something so small. Your house is not flooded, this is NOT an emergency. Give your landlord the benefit of the doubt. If he ususally gets back to you, but this time he hasn't, then something is going on. Whether it be vacation or whatever, he must have a valid reason for not getting back to you.
If you step back and take another look at this, I am sure you can get it figured out.
Good luck!
Walk around your property and look for the spigot hat has two handles on it, one of them will be the main and once you turn it on your water problem will be solved. Chances are your neighbors have a water hookup similar to yours, talk to one of them and they can probably help you find where to turn the water on.
Be very careful withholding money from the rent. It can be considered non payment of rent. Here in Texas an outdoor broken spigot, although annoying, would not be something a landlord would be required to repair by law. If you have it in writing that you can withhold rent, be sure to read it carefully (does is mention the kinds of repairs specifically, companies you are to use, permission granted before the handy man is called???). We are landlords and we are extremely careful about this, because it leads down a slippery slope very quickly. We have our own handy men that we send out and they send US the bill, so there is no question. And so our tenants don't get stranded with some outrageous bill. I would first contact a neighbor for some advice. Like you said it could be something minor. Is there a spigot out front that works? If so, I'd just buy another hose to make it long enough. If you decide to call out a plumber, just be prepared for the fact that you may be paying that bill yourself. Even the nicest of landlords are still running a business. GL!!
Since he said to do this, go ahead and call a plumber--send him the bill. If he asks, tell him that you tried desperately to reach him with no luck---you did what he said to do. Do you have it in writing? I hope so--I hope you get this figured out soon! GL
M
if the water is turned off inside - go to a closet that is NEAR the faucet...our water turn off valve is in our closet in the bedroom nearest the water spout..
If you have an address for the landlord - i would go and knock on the door - he is giving good landlords a bad name!!!
I'm in Reston - not far from you - let me know if we can help further....
If you call a plumber - then YOU will have to pay for it - unless things are stipulated in your contract/lease that allows you to deduct the expense of a plumber from your rent!
GOOD LUCK!!
Standard practice (at least that I'm aware from from my renting years) is to pay to get it fixed yourself, and deduct it from your rent. Since you have the issue in writing, you should be well covered in the event that it becomes a legal matter.
How about this? Follow the water line until you find the valve and turn it on! It's not rocket science. It will either be a wheel or a lever.
This is ridiculous--you certainly don't need a plumber!
Is your husband THAT unfamiliar with how to turn water on? I'm sorry but really you guys can figure this out. Grab any person on the street and they can probably find the valve in your basement.
Look under your kitchen sink to start.
