the forecast isn't good. my Boyfriend (who trained as an electrician for the IBEW) says that building code must only be adhered to by law in cases of new construction or remodel. code only applies to new construction. your place was probably up to code for the time it was built.
the lack of grounded outlets and non-GFCI outlets in the kitchen does not merit improvement unless a remodel is performed. if the outlet actually sparks, approach the property management company in the interest of safety. if you plug something in that isn't powered up and it sparks, that's trouble. be nice. the property management company also doesn't want the house to burn down. know your rights, and don't expect a response the next day or anything.
first of all, look up tenant rights and know your rights before you get involved. CARRY ON ALL CORRESPONDENCE IN WRITING and keep copies of everything. second, play nice. it doesn't sound like the leasing company has any interest in maintaining the space. they are in business. they are not your friends. however, you don't want to badger them because, at the end of the day, it's their house and they decide whether you live in it or not. if this place is in reasonably high demand (and most of Fremont is) then if you won't live with the outlets as they are then at midnight when your lease runs out they will find someone that will.
property management situations are even worse. they are a middle man that has no real stake in the property. they can't make improvements (and these outlets problems of yours are improvements) without the landlord's approval. they skim money when your rent changes hands to the landlord. any maintainance required by law they handle and bill the landlord for so it is in their interest to know exactly what the rules for this are.
now: property management companies usually have a fleet of construction types in their rolodex so if you approached them and offered to pay for the improvements with their blessing they could potentially hook you up. on the other hand if the landlord says no then forget it.
the minute the city gets involved the tenant/landlord relationship becomes hostile. the law says the landowner can only raise the rent 10% with notice every twenty days, but that doesn't mean they can't raise the rent every 20 days until you move out.
that being said, if you simply want a grounded outlet for your computer i might know someone that would do it on the cheap for you. i also know someone else could be persuaded to switch out your old outlets for new ones if you buy him a six pack. it might be a lot less headache for everyone.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
know your rights
Date: 2006-12-02 04:40 am (UTC)the lack of grounded outlets and non-GFCI outlets in the kitchen does not merit improvement unless a remodel is performed. if the outlet actually sparks, approach the property management company in the interest of safety. if you plug something in that isn't powered up and it sparks, that's trouble. be nice. the property management company also doesn't want the house to burn down. know your rights, and don't expect a response the next day or anything.
http://www.cityofseattle.net/dclu/Publications/cam/cam604.pdf
first of all, look up tenant rights and know your rights before you get involved. CARRY ON ALL CORRESPONDENCE IN WRITING and keep copies of everything. second, play nice. it doesn't sound like the leasing company has any interest in maintaining the space. they are in business. they are not your friends. however, you don't want to badger them because, at the end of the day, it's their house and they decide whether you live in it or not. if this place is in reasonably high demand (and most of Fremont is) then if you won't live with the outlets as they are then at midnight when your lease runs out they will find someone that will.
property management situations are even worse. they are a middle man that has no real stake in the property. they can't make improvements (and these outlets problems of yours are improvements) without the landlord's approval. they skim money when your rent changes hands to the landlord. any maintainance required by law they handle and bill the landlord for so it is in their interest to know exactly what the rules for this are.
now: property management companies usually have a fleet of construction types in their rolodex so if you approached them and offered to pay for the improvements with their blessing they could potentially hook you up. on the other hand if the landlord says no then forget it.
the minute the city gets involved the tenant/landlord relationship becomes hostile. the law says the landowner can only raise the rent 10% with notice every twenty days, but that doesn't mean they can't raise the rent every 20 days until you move out.
that being said, if you simply want a grounded outlet for your computer i might know someone that would do it on the cheap for you. i also know someone else could be persuaded to switch out your old outlets for new ones if you buy him a six pack. it might be a lot less headache for everyone.