One perspective of what is becoming of America's working poor
Saturday, June 27, 2020
Friday, June 5, 2020
Have You Ever Wondered What Normal Wear and Tear Means?
Normal Wear & Tear:
Landlord's Responsibility Excessive Tenant Damage:
Resident's Responsibility
A few small nail holes, chips, smudges, dents, scrapes, or cracks in the walls Gaping holes in walls from abuse, accidents, or neglect. Unapproved paint colors or unprofessional paint jobs. Dozens of nail holes which need patching and repainting.
Faded paint Water damage on wall from hanging plants or constant rubbing of furniture
Slightly torn or faded wallpaper Unapproved wall paper, drawings, or crayon markings on walls
Carpet faded or worn thin from walking Holes, stains, or burns in carpet. Food stains, urine stains, and leaky fish tanks are never "normal".
Dirty or faded lamp or window shades Torn, stained, or missing lamp and window shades
Scuffed varnish on wood floors from regular use Chipped or gouged wood floors, or excessive scraps from pet nails
Dark patches on hardwood floors that have lost their finish over many years Water stains on wood floors and windowsills caused by windows being left open during rainstorms
Doors sticking from humidity Doors broken, or ripped off hinges
Warped cabinet doors that won’t close Sticky cabinets and interiors
Cracked window pane from faulty foundation or building settling Broken windows from action of the tenant or guests
Shower mold due to lack of proper ventilation Shower mold due to lack of regular cleanings
Loose grouting and bathroom tiles Missing or cracked bathroom tiles
Worn or scratched enamel in old bathtubs, sinks, or toilets Chipped and broken enamel in bathtubs and sinks
Rusty shower rod or worn varnish on plumbing fixtures Missing or bent shower rod or plumbing fixtures
Partially clogged sinks or drains caused by aging pipes Clogged sinks or drains due to any stoppage (hair, diapers, food, etc.), or improper use
Moderately dirty mini-blinds or curtains Missing or broken mini-blinds or curtain
Bathroom mirror beginning to “de-silver” (black spots) Mirrors caked with lipstick and makeup
Broken clothes dryer because the thermostat has given out Dryer that won’t turn at all because it’s been overloaded, or the lint trap was never cleaned out.
Worn gaskets on refrigerator doors Broken refrigerator shelf or dented front panels
Smelly garbage disposal Damaged disposal due to metal, glass, or stones being placed inside
Replacement of fluorescent lamps - or any light bulb designed to last for years of continuous use
HUD has a list (Appendix 5D) of various items, and their life expectancy:
Item Life Expectancy
Hot Water Heaters 10 years
Plush Carpeting 5 years
Air Conditioning Units 10 years
Ranges 20 years
Refrigerators 10 years
Interior Painting - Enamel 5 years
Interior Painting – Flat 3 years
Tiles/Linoleum 5 years
Window shades, screens, blinds 3 years (https://www.landlordology.com/normal-wear-and-tear/)
Sunday, March 22, 2020
MONTANA SOCIAL DISTANCING IS A WAY OF LIFE
Automatic Blog Ping
I am so grateful I live in Montana, though we have a few cases of COVID-19, we are fortunate enough to have the ability to get outside and breath the fresh air, take in the sunshine and wash all the stagnant air out of our homes and lungs.
I am so grateful I live in Montana, though we have a few cases of COVID-19, we are fortunate enough to have the ability to get outside and breath the fresh air, take in the sunshine and wash all the stagnant air out of our homes and lungs.
 |
| Social Distancing at it's best in Montana. |
My daughter invited me out to their place before they shut down the schools here in Montana. If she hadn't I know I would not have felt comfortable going outside and I would be scrubbing down every wall, surface, nook and cranny with a toothbrush and straight Lysol cleaner.
Our Management Company issued a rather strongly worded letter about their expectations of the tenants during this time. I can understand the concern for their maintenance people and the need for them to be able to pay those people and others who work for the company.
I would like to take the opportunity to let Landlords know that just because this virus started halfway around the world, some of the deplorable buildings that you continue to rent out with broken sewer lines, uncleaned units before moving new people in, painting over the muck left behind by former tenants all can lead to a virus here in America.
The need to follow proper codes, procedures, and maintenance on buildings is paramount to stopping the spread of many types of health issues. We have Building codes in place for a reason, to protect those who live, work, and play within them.
If we continue to look the other way on these issues just because there are limited units available for our nations low-income, working, elderly, vets, and families we are inviting another health crisis for our most vulnerable populations who have no choice but to continue working unless they find themselves in the hospital or the grave just to meet their rent obligations.
Friday, January 31, 2020
WHAT DID TRUMP DO TO YOU?
I was asked today "What did Trump do to you?. My reply was he made it unaffordable for me to get a job.
Now, I ask you does that sound like something an American President who touts job creation would do? The answer my friend is not blowing in the wind, but YES!
Thanks to the HUD Secretary Ben Carson and his rules to take more than 30% of personal income, and forcing people to take jobs that actually end up costing them money because the rent went p due to the increase in income. If you can not work the whole 20 or 40 hours of that job, it does not matter because you will be forced to pay out on those hours you could not work, but HUD thinks you can.
It does not matter if you work full-time or part-time, it will cost you money in the long run, the money you won't have even if you go to work.
If I were to work my usual seasonal, part-time job, which is supposed to be 20 hours, but due to a herniated disk, fibromyalgia and some other stuff, I am not capable physically to always work 20 hours. I have tried my best, laying on the floor, standing up at my desk and still dialing that phone. I still have to pay out on those hours I did not work the 30%. If I work 14 hours, I payout for 20, if I can only work 9 hours that week, I payout on 20 hours.
All income is figured as if you will work the entire year. If you only work six months out of the year, they average your gross income for 12 months and you pay 30% of that you don't even have to work the hours, but you will be required to pay for them. It costs me $300 a month out of my fixed income to work that 20 hour a week job, plus everything but $20 a month from that job to pay the increase.
I don't mind paying my fair share, but that is just it. It needs to be fair. If I am going to pay out over $500 a month for rent, then I better be able to wash my clothes in clean water and not sewage water backing up into the washer. I should be able to open and close my front door without having to lift it up into and out of the casing, causing damage to my rotator cuff.
HUD does not enforce their own rules, Montana State HUD inspectors overlook issues because there is no low-income housing, Montana slum lords continue to let perfectly good buildings (if taken care of) to rot down around tenants ears because no one is holding them accountable.
What good are city codes when no one enforces them when businessmen pass off these public housing buildings three months before HUD tells them to start repairs so they don't have to repair them and the next businessman in the ladder can milk the rentals for a while until he has to pass it off before being required to make repairs?
As I type this, there is a cracked sewer line under my apartment. When the furnace kicks on and the temperature is just right, I think I am standing by the outhouse on a hot summer day. Fond memories, I think not!
They tell me if you can't afford it don't do it. Well someone should tell the slumlord the same thing or make him fix his buildings.
Trump made it impossible for me to get work, and have enough money after paying all the bills and rent left over to eat, buy a tank of gas or even buy new underwear. What did Trump do to me?
Now, I ask you does that sound like something an American President who touts job creation would do? The answer my friend is not blowing in the wind, but YES!
Thanks to the HUD Secretary Ben Carson and his rules to take more than 30% of personal income, and forcing people to take jobs that actually end up costing them money because the rent went p due to the increase in income. If you can not work the whole 20 or 40 hours of that job, it does not matter because you will be forced to pay out on those hours you could not work, but HUD thinks you can.
It does not matter if you work full-time or part-time, it will cost you money in the long run, the money you won't have even if you go to work.
If I were to work my usual seasonal, part-time job, which is supposed to be 20 hours, but due to a herniated disk, fibromyalgia and some other stuff, I am not capable physically to always work 20 hours. I have tried my best, laying on the floor, standing up at my desk and still dialing that phone. I still have to pay out on those hours I did not work the 30%. If I work 14 hours, I payout for 20, if I can only work 9 hours that week, I payout on 20 hours.
All income is figured as if you will work the entire year. If you only work six months out of the year, they average your gross income for 12 months and you pay 30% of that you don't even have to work the hours, but you will be required to pay for them. It costs me $300 a month out of my fixed income to work that 20 hour a week job, plus everything but $20 a month from that job to pay the increase.
I don't mind paying my fair share, but that is just it. It needs to be fair. If I am going to pay out over $500 a month for rent, then I better be able to wash my clothes in clean water and not sewage water backing up into the washer. I should be able to open and close my front door without having to lift it up into and out of the casing, causing damage to my rotator cuff.
HUD does not enforce their own rules, Montana State HUD inspectors overlook issues because there is no low-income housing, Montana slum lords continue to let perfectly good buildings (if taken care of) to rot down around tenants ears because no one is holding them accountable.
What good are city codes when no one enforces them when businessmen pass off these public housing buildings three months before HUD tells them to start repairs so they don't have to repair them and the next businessman in the ladder can milk the rentals for a while until he has to pass it off before being required to make repairs?
As I type this, there is a cracked sewer line under my apartment. When the furnace kicks on and the temperature is just right, I think I am standing by the outhouse on a hot summer day. Fond memories, I think not!
They tell me if you can't afford it don't do it. Well someone should tell the slumlord the same thing or make him fix his buildings.
Trump made it impossible for me to get work, and have enough money after paying all the bills and rent left over to eat, buy a tank of gas or even buy new underwear. What did Trump do to me?
Sunday, January 19, 2020
IMPEACHMENT TRIAL ONE YA-WHO'S OPINION
"That's right, just another idiot with their own interpretation on the impeachment of the President of "these Divided States"."
I have tried my best to keep my mouth shut during the political upheaval of America, but I am so afraid and disappointed in the way the country is going that I can no longer keep my opinion to myself. "As if it matters!" I understand that my little, opinion does not matter as it does not influence anyone to change their mind, take action, or even give a crap. Yet it is my first amendment right, so I am taking the opportunity to exercise it.
From the very beginning, I stood out here in the abyss shouting "The Emperor has no clothes", but no one noticed. I went and protested when Mr. Trump ( he is not my president, I did not vote for him) arrived in Great Falls, Montana for his July 5th rally.
 |
| https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/donald-trump-mental-health-754139/ |
I question whether the Trump Administration has a clue of what they are doing, suppose to do, or are required to do? His camp seems to talk out of both sides of their mouths and then deny they spoke in the first place. I was taught as a child that "Honesty is the Best Policy". Isn't that what the First Lady's campaign is all about, "Be Best" for the emotional and social health of children? I thought the President would be an example of "how to act" not "how not to act" for his own wife's reputation.
Is this Trump's best? the best attempt at duping the American people? or truly and honestly the best he can run the country into the ground? There may already be irreversible collateral damage caused by the folks he put into temporary positions or had to leave their offices due to a conflict of moral ethics. Are we really going to be stupid enough to ask for another four years of lies, deceit, double standards, when the president is taking his own government to court for billions of dollars in damages? (Credit: revistanordeste.com.br/) Should this be a telltale sign to the American Public that Mr. Trump can not live up to the requirements of the position of President of the "United" States"?
I have been assaulted on three jobs, much less important than the Presidency, yet I did not have a case for pain and suffering, why should he when the job he choose to apply for came with a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances.
I can't wait for the State of the Union Address, it should be one of a kind. Personally, I would like to see Trump step down from office. Yet, I am nobody, just another Ya-who with an opinion.
Saturday, January 11, 2020
Paying for the Privalage to Cause More Damage to My Herniated Disc, Only in Montana
How long is a reasonable time to repair a door that is pulling away from the door cassing where it is attached by the hinges? Is it reasonable to expect a person with a chronic pain disorder, a herniated disk to lift the door in and out of the cassing just to enter and exit the property? Is this acceptable by HUD? Is this how our tax payer dollars are being spent? Allowing Landlords to ignor repairs that can be physically damaging to the tenant is not acceptable.
Where do you report these types of Landlords in Montana? No where, because there is no money in forcing the Landlord to repair his building (s). The attitude is if you don't like it move.
How can you move when the State of Montana Housing Division misscalculated your rent. You over paid your portion while Montana allowed you to. Upon discovering the error, Montana Housing will repay the portion you overpaid to the Landlord. Never mind the $750 you covered for Montana Housing's lack of ability in calculating rent should have been returned to the Tenant so that she could use it to move out of said apartment. No, that would be logical and reasonable. Montana Housing is not.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
-
At the start of the pandemic , I was fortunate enough to be invited to stay at my eldest daughter's home before they shut the schools...
-
Attorney/Advocate Resource Center Publications, Traini...
