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anleja · 10-22-2004, 10:16 PM

I live in Michigan.

I'd rather not move. Since October 2001 this is the 7th place I've lived. I'm hoping to stay here a while.

I didn't feel I was going "over his head" by going to the housing inspector... my reason for calling them in the first place was to simply try getting some peace of mind by finding out if the place was inspected (I could have asked him, but I wanted to ask the inspector becasue they have nothing at stake). I actually talked to the woman who inspected it, and she said she only checked the main wiring boxes, no outlets or fixtures. She said if I wanted a complete electrical inspection I'd have to hire a private contractor. At this point I mentioned the fixtures not working, along with the previous problem we had regarding the outlet. Well, that got her attention, and she said they themselves were going to do the inspecting.

Today I took off a couple fixtures, and the wiring looks scary. OLD wires, covered in fabric and electrical tape, as opposed to the modern-day rubber. Frayed-looking. It is also kinda scary that the standard electrical inspections do not include an inspection of outlets and wiring. They only check those if there is a problem seen by the naked eye.

As far as the lease goes, we just signed a year lease, at a fixed rate, so he can't raise rent. As far as kicking us out, I'd like to see him try. The house is split into 2 apartments, and he is trying in vain to rent the other with little success, I doubt he'd get rid of us and have absolutely no tenants.

Of course if it is not up to code, I guess the city will be kicking us out...

Insurance... none. Jeez, I never even gave that any thought. Thanks for the reminder, I'm getting it ASAP.

I did check to make sure the smoke detectors are in working order. One per room.

Even if I wanted to move, I'm in no financial position to currently. As far as tax fraud, I think I already told the inspectors enough for them to put forward an investigation (which is partly why I think he is acting so pissy).

As far as using a camera... they are going to be here in about 6 hours, in the morning, to take the fixtures out. Hmm, seems like a strange thing to do after insisting to us they were safe.

In a few days the inspectors will inspect the place. I kinda hope nothing is wrong, obviously, but while them finding something wrong won't be a good thing, at least it will mean that my actions were not in vain. Actually, I'll feel better when the fixtures are taken care of. Maybe. I don't know how much the landlord's electrician friend knows about turn of the century wiring.

Anyway, if they patch up the walls... the texture of the wall is very unique, and will be impossible to duplicate, so I could even photograph the very visible patches.

It is my aim to put all this behind me, so long as I am satisfied by the in depth inspection indicating nothing to worry about.

Thanks for the responses... anybody want to move in upstairs from me? 4 bedroom, 2 bath. I'll give you time to think it over.

10-22-2004, 10:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
anleja disconnected Location: ignoreland	I live in Michigan. I'd rather not move. Since October 2001 this is the 7th place I've lived. I'm hoping to stay here a while. I didn't feel I was going "over his head" by going to the housing inspector... my reason for calling them in the first place was to simply try getting some peace of mind by finding out if the place was inspected (I could have asked him, but I wanted to ask the inspector becasue they have nothing at stake). I actually talked to the woman who inspected it, and she said she only checked the main wiring boxes, no outlets or fixtures. She said if I wanted a complete electrical inspection I'd have to hire a private contractor. At this point I mentioned the fixtures not working, along with the previous problem we had regarding the outlet. Well, that got her attention, and she said they themselves were going to do the inspecting. Today I took off a couple fixtures, and the wiring looks scary. OLD wires, covered in fabric and electrical tape, as opposed to the modern-day rubber. Frayed-looking. It is also kinda scary that the standard electrical inspections do not include an inspection of outlets and wiring. They only check those if there is a problem seen by the naked eye. As far as the lease goes, we just signed a year lease, at a fixed rate, so he can't raise rent. As far as kicking us out, I'd like to see him try. The house is split into 2 apartments, and he is trying in vain to rent the other with little success, I doubt he'd get rid of us and have absolutely no tenants. Of course if it is not up to code, I guess the city will be kicking us out... Insurance... none. Jeez, I never even gave that any thought. Thanks for the reminder, I'm getting it ASAP. I did check to make sure the smoke detectors are in working order. One per room. Even if I wanted to move, I'm in no financial position to currently. As far as tax fraud, I think I already told the inspectors enough for them to put forward an investigation (which is partly why I think he is acting so pissy). As far as using a camera... they are going to be here in about 6 hours, in the morning, to take the fixtures out. Hmm, seems like a strange thing to do after insisting to us they were safe. In a few days the inspectors will inspect the place. I kinda hope nothing is wrong, obviously, but while them finding something wrong won't be a good thing, at least it will mean that my actions were not in vain. Actually, I'll feel better when the fixtures are taken care of. Maybe. I don't know how much the landlord's electrician friend knows about turn of the century wiring. Anyway, if they patch up the walls... the texture of the wall is very unique, and will be impossible to duplicate, so I could even photograph the very visible patches. It is my aim to put all this behind me, so long as I am satisfied by the in depth inspection indicating nothing to worry about. Thanks for the responses... anybody want to move in upstairs from me? 4 bedroom, 2 bath. I'll give you time to think it over.