Question for Chicago Members

Gold Member Joined: Jan 16 2008 Posts: 1829

Can any Chicago Imamothers give me information on the hachnasas orchim houses in Chicago?

We have a terrible mold problem after having our carpets cleaned before Pesach. Dd is having a reaction to the mold.
We rent, and the landlord won't do anything, the carpet cleaning man has offered to clean again for free (no thanks), and dh just sort of sits there a does nothing.

I'm at my whit's end. The worry about dd health, together with nobody doing anything to help is making tremendously stressed. So I though about staying at one of the houses until the issues was resolved.

For Shabbos I'm buying airbeds from Target and we'll camp out in the living room. But after that, unless I actually leave, nothing will get resolved.

Help!

Diamond Member Joined: Nov 30 2009 Posts: 4663

you can call the chicago center 773-761-4005

If they have something available they may be able to help you out. Lots of luck!
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Gold Member Joined: Jan 27 2010 Posts: 1436

I think you need to have a serious conversation with your landlord. Mold is unnacceptable and if he is not willing to do something about it you will move without a penalty. A landlord-tenant attorney can help you with this.

Platinum Member Joined: Nov 17 2008 Posts: 5050

Yes, the Chicago Center at the above posted number is the place to call for the hachnosas orchim apartments, but please be aware that are often fully booked in advance.

Good luck!
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Silver Member Joined: Dec 30 2010 Posts: 737

I agree with MHA3484 - mold is not acceptable and its time to call an attorney if your landlord won't listen

Gold Member Joined: Jan 16 2008 Posts: 1829

The problem is the landlord is Jewish.
We're just spoken to him and he refuses to pay even a penny towards removing the mold. We asked a Rabbi, who says he needs to pay, or at least pay 50%.

I'd take him to the Beis Din, but that's another $200 just to cover costs.

Platinum Member Joined: Nov 17 2008 Posts: 5050

If you know who his Rav is, go to him and tell him the problem and see if he can't convince him.

Gold Member Joined: Jan 16 2008 Posts: 1829

[quote="OOTBubby"]If you know who his Rav is, go to him and tell him the problem and see if he can't convince him.[/quote

We asked, and he won't tell us. I did email to say that he's going directly against our Rav ( who's also a CRC Dayan).

His reply?

I�m sorry you see it that way.

I disagree.

You may call the CRC.

Go take it to the bais din.

Or, if you�d like, you can move somewhere else.

Charming!

Gold Member Joined: Jan 27 2010 Posts: 1436

If it were me I would look for a new apartment and find an attorney to write a strongly worded letter demanding your deposit back. I am not not not an attorney but I have professional experience with this.

Gold Member Joined: Jan 16 2008 Posts: 1829

Here's his most recent email:

ou certainly have no right without even telling me about a problem, to call someone to solve it and plan on charging me.

If you keep this up, you will not receive a lease renewal.

This is not a false threat. I mean it. I don�t need problems.

I really like your husband and respect him.

I do not want this to happen.

So calm down, think about this, and talk to me like a mentch.

Most problems can be worked out.

In the past, everything has been taken care of.

Just like the other day. You had a plumbing problem, I took care of it.

Again, think carefully how you want to proceed.

Again, I'm charmed!
(we called in an outside worker as he takes a looooong time to do repairs and uses unskilled labor, and I want the mold professionally removed!)

Platinum Member Joined: Jun 30 2009 Posts: 8231

So if he dealt with the plumbing problem, why won't he deal with this?

Posted: Fri, Apr 27 2012, 6:12 pm Post subject: re: Question for Chicago Members

because it's probably more expensive and he can't do it himself. You need to talk to an attorney or a Rav who will get involved. good Luck.

Silver Member Joined: Dec 30 2010 Posts: 737

Your landlord seems to be under the delusion that you are looking for a lease renewal. If my landlord was unable to handle basic maintenance in a timely manner and used unskilled labor - you'd bet I'd be out fast! The other day I opened the cabinet under the sink and water came rushing out. Emailed my landlord. Plumber was there within 24 hours to fix the pipes. I once had a radiator start SHOOTING out boiling hot water at 11 pm. DH was out of town. I managed to turn the radiator off using kitchen mitts, but it continued to shoot water all over my office. I called the emergency number for our landlord. We had someone come out and stop the lake before midnight.

It doesn't matter how much your landlord respects your husband. It doesn't matter if your husband is a beggar, a talmid chacham, or the surgeon general; your landlord had you sign a rental agreement that should say SOMETHING about tenant rights and maintenance issues.

I'm again going to have to agree with Mha3484 - this is an apartment this is not a spouse or a mother-in-law. There is no 'prize' given for putting up with childish, miserly behavior. The following steps are required: 1) Find a new apartment 2)Find a lawyer who will help you break your lease. 3) Start packing up your china cabinet into boxes

PM me if you need the name of A-M-A-Z-I-N-G movers! I was 9 months pregnant and they came (on time!) they packed and they moved all of my ridiculously heavy wooden furniture. They weren't cheap, but we've been burned before by incompetent movers, and these guys were such a pleasure to deal with.

Gold Member Joined: Jan 27 2010 Posts: 1436

I can give you the names of landlord tenant attornies if you want to pm me. I am a paralegal who has spent time in landlord tenant law.

Gold Member Joined: Jul 31 2009 Posts: 1237

Chicago has very strong laws in place for tenants. Google Chicago Tenant Rights.

Living with mold and who knows what else because your landlord is Jewish and likes your husband is silly. Beyond silly, really.

Active Poster Joined: Nov 01 2009 Posts: 34

Probably not a frum thing, but you can call the city (I believe 311) and file a complaint with the city. Otherwise I agree with the attorney suggestion there are certain requirements to being a landlord and the standards that need to be maintained. Can you pull up the carpet??? If you paid to have the carpets cleaned, I would call back the company and have them fix the problem. It sounds like they soaked the carpet and never suctioned the water out.

Just a thought.

Silver Member Joined: Dec 30 2010 Posts: 737

Strudel -
Who paid for the original carpet cleaners? B/c if you paid for them and they screwed up, (my limited knowledge understanding is) you can take civil action against the company.

If your landlord paid for it because of Pesach than the story changes.

Irregardless, I'd still move.