Apartment/Real Estate Problem... Any Insight?

odusgolp

Long story as short as I can make it.

Apartment search led to a very old historic building that I very much so liked and was a great price b/c all utilities included. I was shown the second floor apartment (which is their furnished model), but not the third floor unit I would actually be renting as they needed to renovate it after the tenant moved out. It had never been brought current from the late 1800s. I had a real estate attorney review the lease and change it to stipulate an end date to the renovations, my warrant and inspection AFTER renovation, etc.

They are nearly done with renovations. I am very dissatisfied with the workmanship.

Example 1. Plaster walls were clearly fixed to be straightened out in the model, and are not being touched in the 3rd floor. The walls are – lumpy? Pregnant? Very disheveled? I can live with this – but not my expectations based on what I was shown.

Example 2. Kitchen is not bad, but not the same quality. Not ceramic tile floor, but ceramic coated stick-on linoleum tiles. Not granite counters, laminate. Cabinetry is cheaper, there is less of it, and it is hung very kittywampus. Again, I can live with it, though.

Example 3. Bathroom in Model – all tile is various sized rectangular marble floors & walls, the little plaster in the bathroom was clearly fixed, a cabinet with undermount sink installed, a step into the VERY deep original tub. Bathroom on the third floor? Left in all original 1880’s white tile around the tub & walls. Laid an ugly black and white small tile floor – no step into the tub. Did not put in a cabinet or sink – left original 1880s giant pedestal sink. Haven’t replaced the toilet, only the steel tubing (I was told this would be new). Did not re-porcelain the tub or sink as I was told would be done – they bought a spray on can of stuff at menards. It looks bad. THIS IS WHAT I DON’T THINK IS ACCEPTABLE.

Now, the tricky part – I know the person doing the renovations. I do not want to offend them. Can someone help me word a letter stating my dissatisfaction? I feel as though they very much so misled me on what the apartment would be finished to look like. I am supposed to move in in a week…. I can’t really afford much lawyer time, so I would like to have everything at least drafted up (roughly) before contacting him and would appreciate anyone that has insight into a situation like this…

momma3sweetgirls

Did you say 'kittywampus'?

Was it written down somewhere in a contract/lease that the renovations would be equivalent in value/quality to those on the second floor? If not, there's probably not much you can do about it.

bllowry

As a Realtor, I recommend you have the Real Estate Attorney address that the renovations are not up to the 'standard' set by the model. By showing the model they are implying a covenant of quality that, from your notes, do not match. Coming from a third party hired to represent your best interest takes any personalization from the equation.

odusgolp

Did you say 'kittywampus'?

Was it written down somewhere in a contract/lease that the renovations would be equivalent in value/quality to those on the second floor? If not, there's probably not much you can do about it.

I DID say kittywampus. And the lease states that the renovations would be done to tenants satisfaction with me having first right of refusal.

odusgolp

As a Realtor, I recommend you have the Real Estate Attorney address that the renovations are not up to the 'standard' set by the model. By showing the model they are implying a covenant of quality that, from your notes, do not match. Coming from a third party hired to represent your best interest takes any personalization from the equation.

I didn't think of it like that... very valuable insight... thank you!

cmriverside

I agree with the Realtor. Have the attorney draft a letter. It won't be that expensive. In comparison, if you try to do it yourself, you may leave yourself liable in some way....don't know your laws.

I'm surprised you went so far as hiring an Attorney in the first place, but I'm sure you have your reason, and now you really do need their input.

snarky

Absolutely check your contract. If there is language in there about the quality of construction, you don't have to worry about how you phrase the letter. Just be matter of fact about it. You should get what you are paying for. End of story. If this person you know is offended, they are not professional. You are the one who should be offended that they were trying to take advantage of you. If you have a good contract, it will help you immensely - otherwise you may be out of luck if the work is complete.

snarky

sorry, didn't see your post about right of refusal.

odusgolp

I agree with the Realtor. Have the attorney draft a letter. It won't be that expensive. In comparison, if you try to do it yourself, you may leave yourself liable in some way....don't know your laws.

I'm surprised you went so far as hiring an Attorney in the first place, but I'm sure you have your reason, and now you really do need their input.

"I'm a safety girl "

I saw glaring problems with the lease as they presented it to me, hence the reason I got the lawyer in the first place. He works for my clients (I'm an account, he's one of their attorneys) so we already had a working relationship.

But yes, thank you all for the insight. It is better to cover my butt and have the letter come from him... I just feel like a b*tch. I have self depricating guilty personality problem...

cmriverside

But yes, thank you all for the insight. It is better to cover my butt and have the letter come from him... I just feel like a b*tch. I have self depricating guilty personality problem...

Ha ha. I suffer from this too.

I also suffer from " I don't want to lose any money on something I don't want" personality disorder.

odusgolp

But yes, thank you all for the insight. It is better to cover my butt and have the letter come from him... I just feel like a b*tch. I have self depricating guilty personality problem...

Ha ha. I suffer from this too.

I also suffer from " I don't want to lose any money on something I don't want" personality disorder.

haha! Totally more in common than I knew!