Long post but I need advice

Re: Long post but I need advice

• missliz53 member

  January 2016

  I'm pretty sure that the problems you are describing are severe enough to allow you to break your lease, especially because the landlord won't fix them. Could you guys rent a different house or get an apartment that way you could still all live together and be safe?

  Report2 Reply
• Loading the player...
• tlc11934 member

  January 2016

  Same advice as PP. Renters should be protected in times like these. Mold is a major problem, especially for babies. Were the hospital visits due to the mold? Maybe the doctor can write you a note so you can break your lease.
  
  Are there other areas you can move to that are close enough to YH's work but closer to a better hospital?

  

  Report0 Reply
• ElleMF728 member

  January 2016

  Are these your only two options? Were you planning to live with your family? They sound toxic.  Someone telling you that you're going to lose your baby is probably not somewhere you want to be around on a regular basis.  Your sister who tried to fight you while pregnant clearly has issues, is another person you probably shouldn't spend much time with.  Is there anyway you and YH can just move houses? Can you move to another town that is close enough to his work but has a different hospital? Or just drive to a different town's hospital if you need to? 
  
  I guess this is a difficult question to answer because lifestyles are so varied throughout the country.  For example I have several hospitals within an hour of me and it is completely normal for people to drive 30-60 minutes to and from work everyday here but I have no idea if that is the norm out by you.  To me moving to the next town over seems viable but perhaps that isn't an option for you.  Would it be possible to break your lease and go elsewhere if it comes down to it? 
  
  Is there anything in your lease that states what your landlord is and is not responsible for? If you absolutely have to leave YH behind it will be tough but doable.  DH worked and lived in another state for the first 5 months of DS1's life.  It was exhausting and emotionally draining for both of us but we made it work. It is also important to remember that you need to surround yourself and your child with people who will genuinely support you and be good role-models for your child.  Would you trust your family around LO? They sound a bit impulsive and childish just going by your post. Do you mean that your sister tried to physically fight you? While you were pregnant? That isn't something I'd get over quickly.  

  

  Report1 Reply
• mriandabusto member

  January 2016

  Yes she physically tried to fight me while I was pregnant. Neither of my sisters are good role models or even good people so I try not to go around them. I'd be living with my mom until dh's contact is up in May and for about 2-4 months after that.
  If i wanted to stay in this city another year I would get into a different house and lease immediately but we plan to buy a house in in fall of 2016 down in Denver so there's no point in moving when we only want to be out here until his contact is up, right?
  We only have 1 hospital and 1 small clinic, the next closest hospital is about an hour away. We didn't go for mold, we went because he's been sick and today was diagnosed with reflux. I was told to have him checked for mold at his next appt which is in 2 weeks
  

  Report0 Reply
• mriandabusto member

  January 2016

  Sorry! It says "CONTACT" not CONTRACT. I was using my s pen

  Report0 Reply
• LaurenNewph member

  January 2016

  I think when you sign a lease you are assured to be given safe living arrangements what you describe is not safe even a little bit. Call the landlord again threaten to sue and of that doesn't work document the issues (especially the mold) and stop paying rent!

  Report2 Reply
• chelseajeanene member

  January 2016

  missliz53 said:

  I'm pretty sure that the problems you are describing are severe enough to allow you to break your lease, especially because the landlord won't fix them. Could you guys rent a different house or get an apartment that way you could still all live together and be safe?

  I second this. You could probably report your landlord because he's aware of the situation and will not fix it

  Report0 Reply
• mriandabusto member

  January 2016

  Apparently when an owner rents the houses out there are clauses and I'm really hoping that he doesn't have a mold clause otherwise we're going nowhere. I talked to my lawyer tonight and she is going to handle it. I just want Tristan to be healthy and happy even if it means hubby stays here and we move back to Denver. We will do whatever to keep him safe

  Report0 Reply
• imsoexcited915 member

  January 2016

  As a renter you are protected by renters laws. I used to rent an apt years ago and recall getting a manual from my landlord along with my contract that listed all the laws etc. Safe living conditions must be in there. Try and Google that info. But either way I would get out ASAP - try and rent maybe the next town over for a shorter period of time if you don't want to commit for a year. You could offer to pay more money (to a reasonable degree) to get month to month or see what the penalty is if you were to break it early. At least explore those options. I would not move back to your crazy family. It sounds just as unhealthy of a situation as the mold does. I cannot believe your sister would try and fight you physically while pregnant. I'm flabbergasted. I would try my best not to break up my immediate family.

  Report1 Reply
• JessicaS0914 member

  January 2016

  I'm sure your lawyer will tell you that you don't have to live like that.  He can tell you what your lease allows, but one other option is to hire a legit, licensed mold remediation company and have them assess/fix the problem.  Pay them and deduct the cost from your rent.  Of course, give him notice, certified and in writing, that you're going to do this if he doesn't respond and take action by X date. 

  Report1 Reply
• ElleMF728 member

  January 2016

  OP is right that there are mold clauses in some rental agreements but your lawyer will be able to tell you if that applies to you.  Some of these clauses don't hold up because they actually violate state law.  It really depends on your state and what type of mold is present.  

  

  Report1 Reply
• ElleMF728 member

  January 2016

  Colorado has an implied warranty of habitability which is state law and overrides any language in your lease.  Contact your local housing authority if your landlord is refusing to make this a priority.  I would call him and indicate you are aware of this and who you are planning to contact and see if that gets him moving. 

  

  Report0 Reply
• hollidar member

  January 2016

  I'm sorry to hear about your situation, you've got some great advice. As a former travel nurse, I recommend getting a sublet. They usually allow short leases though your rent will be a little higher. With a lawyer and your state law I don't think you'll have a problem breaking the lease. It's dangerous for your DH to stay in a home with mold too. I never had a problem finding a 13 week sublet in big cities and small towns so I highly recommend it. Just sign a 5 month lease. Moving back home and living with your mom just seems like a bad idea. Sounds too toxic and unpredictable with your family. You don't want to get displaced again. I would bite the bullet and drive an hour to the next hospital if needed and it wasn't critical to get there fast. I had my baby an hour away and saw my doctor an hour away. It was inconvenient, but a fantastic hospital and worth it. Good luck I'm sorry you are having to deal with this. Your landlord sounds like a real jerk.

  Report1 Reply