outlet problem

[arguchik]

hey, as long as i'm seeking technology advice, i'm going to ask for advice about another issue, this time something annoying about the apartment i'm renting with A and J. anyone out there have electrical expertise? can you tell me whether we have a leg to stand on, in demanding that the outlets in our apartment be repaired, replaced, and/or rewired?

A. there isn't a grounded outlet in the place--all of them are 2-prong outlets that spark visibly and audibly when you plug things in.
B. the plugs make piss poor contact with anything that's plugged in, such that a plug will randomly lose contact with the outlet, even if nobody is touching the plug, or even standing or walking anywhere nearby. my roommate's bedroom is particularly bad--she can't use an electric alarm clock because of this problem, and has resorted to using her cell phone as an alarm. perhaps that doesn't seem like a big deal...except when you consider that she has to plug her cell phone into the very same outlet in order to charge it.
C. the outlet that is less than 3 feet away from the kitchen sink is not a GFI outlet--which, unless i am mistaken, is in violation of the seattle building code. i'm quite nervous about the outlets into which all of our electrical appliances are plugged--fridge, dishwasher, stove, and oven (we have those schmancy wall ovens, and a countertop stove...though these particular ones were minted in the 60's, so they're not so schmancy anymore).
D. we've been around and around with the building management company who leases this place, and it's apparent that they're not planning to do anything unless we escalate things...so i'm wondering if we have legs on which to stand while performing said escalation.

whaddya think??? anyone? anyone? beuhler? anyone?

Comments

[glaucon.livejournal.com]

on the building code issue, doug can fill you in.

know your rights

[jennaxide.livejournal.com]

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.

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.

[maeveh.livejournal.com]

Had the 2-prong outlet problem in the living room of my place (as well as no grounded outlets in the bathroom or kitchen ... ah, the joys of living in old buildings). The apartment manager had an electrician put in some GFI outlets since they couldn't rewire. I'd say definately look into having someone do that for your place and invest in some good surge protectors.