I have been watching “Hinterland” on Netflix this week. It is a noir crime drama set in Aberystwyth, Wales. It is a beautiful country.
DCI Tom Mathias has a troubled past. But after only a few episodes there is no indication as to what it is that he’s dealing with.
He is part of a team that solves murders, a different one each episode.
Each episode is cloaked in darkness and shadows. Flashlights illuminate clues. I don’t recall watching a series where there was so much dim lighting.
Last week I watched the two seasons of “Dr. Foster.” It reminded me of that movie “War Of The Roses.” It was intense, the deteriorating relationship between the Fosters.
Apartment News:
Actually, there is no apartment news. Things are as they’ve been for over a week now.
Yesterday I called the fire marshal. He said this had not crossed his desk. In other words, I suppose nothing was written up by the firemen who were here. He said that this was not something they dealt with. That I’d have to find some other agency.
He was not very sympathetic to our plight here. So I give up contacting city agencies. I guess I’ll just live here until they either get it running properly or attempt to move. I’m checking the rentals every day online.
I’d Hate To Move Right Now:
It would be a terrible time to move, with Charlie as sick as he is. But I will just have to take it a day at a time and hope things improve around here. Because I don’t know what else to do.
Perhaps that’s what their goal is: to get us all to move.
At any rate, I’ve worn myself out trying to fix the situation. I have enough on my plate to take proper care of Charlie.
A Disconnected Phone & Answering Service:
When I called the office yesterday, they had disconnected the phone and answering service.
What a way to run an apartment community. Deadbeat slumlords. That’s what they are.
I told my daughter yesterday at lunch that if something major happened, like our heat going out or something with the plumbing, we would have to call someone to have it fixed ourselves. And then pay for it too I suppose.
So let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
No One Will Deal With The Problems Here:
From what I can tell, no one wants to deal with this. It’s beginning to feel like we are an island floating untethered in the middle of the ocean.
And I’m not ringing any more bells because there are no anti-retaliation laws in place in Oklahoma. I would be a sitting duck, so to speak.
I’ve got to get ready for my doctor’s appointment now.
What happens if you stop paying rent….will you hear from them then?
If you have to call anyone to gix a problem they should be fixing, save your receipt and deduct from rent. I’d be looking for another place. When I couldn’t find an affordable place in Apache Junction, AZ where I teach, I bought a travel trailer to live in. This works for me and I have ome pet. You would have to be parked close to the doggy park for Charlie.
Call the state attorney generals office and ask who has jurisdiction/the best way to proceed and if there is free legal service available to persons on fixed/limited income.
If there is anyone on section 8 in the complex that may give some leverage
There are standards apartments must meet. Which department performs inspections oversite in your county and or state
Good luck.
I agree with all here who are saying to contact your City Council rep. That’s what i did vis a problem at my apt complex in a metro area, and it got cleared up quickly. That’s part of their job, and what we’re paying them for!!
Same with Congress–where I worked years ago–with advocating re: problems at the federal level.
Please don’t give up. There HAS to be someone out there who can help you. I found this online about housing in Tulsa:
https://www.cityoftulsa.org/government/departments/working-in-neighborhoods/housing/
Who do you pay your rent to? It has to be a person or a company, right? If the people and/or company are gone, then where is your rent check going?
I hope you can stay put there so long as Charlie lives. Seems you might not need to pay rent until you have a functioning office there. (Save it in a special account to pay later and inform them you will pay once they get someone to receive it there at the office). You may need that money to pay for anything needed with the electric etc that may go wrong. Very weird situation…never heard of such. But then we live in the craziest time of all in this country…maybe all the weird eggs are coming out of the wood work now!!
Hope your hunt for a place will turn up something good. I always figure it never hurts to look from time to time…things with rentals can indeed change and neccesitate our moving. How well we know!!
Brenda, Feeling so bad for you right now and all the other tenants too. We know your mind is on Charlie and taking care of him, but if this situation continues through the weekend I would definitely contact a city council member in your area and have them find an advocate for you as others have mentioned. I have been following your blog for a long time and know your story and I can’t help but think that your daughter should be involved in this in some way. At least contact the proper person for you so you won’t have to worry so much about what could happen. Any agency should be able to refer her or anyone else to someone who could help you. I know you are tired of contacting agencies but this situation sounds very worrisome to me. Someone mentioned agency on ageing and that should be a good place to start. You need someone to represent you, no one wants to see you lose your home and I am afraid if no one steps up to fight for you that is what might happen. What that so called management co. is doing is illegal and they are likely hoping no one steps up and does anything so please think it over and have your daughter help you. Have a meeting with other tenants to find out if anyone has info to share or found help for you. Wishing you the best and enjoy your fur babies, they give us so much comfort.
go here: https://www.okbar.org/freelegalinfo/tenant/ for information and numbers to get help. There are Federal and State Laws against this.
Brenda, just take it one day at a time and focus on Charlie. I am sure that you are not the only one in the building that is concerned or has problems, maybe someone else is looking into taking care of this too?
Saying prayers for you and your sweet pets.
I don’t know if it’s already been suggested but could Legal Aid help with your situation? Or, maybe a rent boycott. Hit them in the pocketbook! And, like the other reader asked, how will you all pay your rent anyway? What a set-up for someone to scam you all posing as a person from the owner collecting rent in person. Don’t fall for anything like that. I know you don’t want to expend energy on this debacle but you might want to see if the other residents would be interested in organizing and tackling the issue together. Legal Aid might be able to advise you on doing something like that. Just some ideas.
I am sure that it will all work out in the end and you might even find a better place to live than where you are even though you may find that hard to believe right now. I think the best thing is to take everything one day at a time, focus on your fur babies, especially Charlie, and think positively in every way you can. Otherwise, your health can be impacted negatively from worry. And we know worry changes nothing for the better.
Sending you peaceful tho’ts and healing energy–for both you and sweet Charlie. Try to have a restful weekend.
I’ve never heard of such ignorant owners! They think, they can buy a building with alot of tenants in there and then ignore them! Then shut down the phone and office, so ppl have no where to turn! They will be in big trouble if something happens to someone!
So sorry Brenda that u have to go thru all this crap!
Keep warm with ur fur babies!
Brenda,
I feel so angry on your behalf. How very, very unfair. I just wondered, do you have charities in the USA who might be prepared to fight your corner. Here in England, we have several who would take over the case for you — specifically charities that help the aged. There must be one there that has a legal department?
Please don’t just give up. The situation is iniquitous. You desperately need support. You could so easily find yourself the victim of a faceless assault.
You and the little ones are in my prayers. This could not happen at a worse time for you. XX
If there is no one in the office, or no phone number to call, where ,and to who, do you pay rent when it comes due?? i would think somebody would be around when the rent is due. What a crazy setup you have to deal with. But, I too, would sit tight, and focus on Charlie, and of course Ivy too. Hang In, Brenda…Hugh hugs to you from WI
That’s ridiculous….and the fire marshal didn’t even help by giving you the name and number of who WOULD actually be able to help? Thanks for nothing. Hopefully it won’t come to you having to move….what did they do with Nathan? They sent him away?
Brenda, i hate the situation they have left your apartment in but i think you should just sit tight for now. I don’t want to see you go thru the stress of moving right now. You have your hands full with Charlie. What if maybe somebody you know—hint hint called a TV station and dropped the dime on them. Your name wouldn’t be involved nor would any other tenants. Big hugs to you and Charlie and Ivy.
Brenda sadly you may have hit the nail on the head. Making it so difficult on tenants that some or all of them choose to move could be exactly what they want. You have mentioned that the complex is in a vey desirable location and considering the age and repair issues they may be looking at demolition rather than upgrade. Hopefully you will be able to find a suitable apartment if you are forced to move.
I agree. Shetand after Hinterland. Jimmy Perez at least smiles fairly often. The background on Hinterland explains alot once it is shown.
I absolutely love Hinterland. There is an underlying story line that continues in each show. Don’t worry, all will be revealed. You, Charlie and Ivy are in my prayers. Hoping that something works out soon for you and the other tenants.
oh! that precious tiny face of Charlie! and that cashmere little kitty love Ivy!
they are your world.
savor every moment and let the apartment problems fall where they may.
they’re going to anyway. you don’t have the emotional or physical strength right now to even deal with it!
xoxo
You can move to the Scottish Isles next with ‘Shetland’. Very much like ‘Hinterland’, but less dour. I commiserate with you on your building situation. How stressful. My first thought would be that the new owners are reorganizing, but are doing so with great incompetence. My second thought would be, as others have said, that they hope to remove their standing tenants.
HINTERLAND is one of the BEST! Try……. DETECTIVE ANNA.
Brenda,
I hate what these people are doing to you all. Is the apartment complex government subsidized?
No
Rats!
Do you know who your city councilperson or representative is? Contact them and explain the situation. They should be able to direct you to the proper authorities for the situation. My son is a magistrate here in Ohio and in his courtroom he deals with housing and zoning issues all the time. Property owners have responsibilities to their tenants and to the cities in which they reside. The local auditor should have a record of who the property was sold to and some contact information. I know you don’t want to contact the local media but I see stories like this every week on the news and they won’t put your name and picture in the story if you don’t want them to, they can just focus on the problem with the property. If you haven’t any maintenance people the property will decline… and decline quickly when it is an older property. I know you are tired of this situation… take a couple of days to mull it over and then decide… Enjoy your time with Charlie… that’s the most important part of life.
I love Hinterland. Hoping there is a new season. I feel really disgusted about your situation. I believe they want everyone to move out. It wouldn’t surprise me if they suddenly raise your rent. There has to be a department of aging there. I am sure there are laws that they are breaking. Do not withhold your rent. They will use that to evict you and it can ruin your credit. xo Laura
Have you checked out this website. It gives information about your rights as a tenant in Oklahoma. For example it tells when you have the legal right to withhold rent. https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/overview-landlord-tenant-laws-oklahoma.html
This page has great information!
That is crazy that the fire marshal could not help you. Sounds like there is a lot of crazy in your town and no one wants to do their job. I bet if all of you kept calling the fire department for things they would do something because they would get sick of coming there all the time! Did you try calling your city’s building department? Hey I bet if all of you start to not pay your rent it would get their attention! Some of your rent goes towards the salaries and the safety and maintenance workers. So none of that present then withdrawal your rent!
Hope Charlie is doing ok.
Have a good weekend.
Kris
A terrible situation for you and the babies. I hate big organizations and ones just looking for a profit over people.
Sit tight. Enjoy your Cozy Little House and your babes.