Is there someone higher than my residence director to whom I can complain about

N

nana

New member
my unsafe living conditions? My residence hall is by no means completely unfit for living, but there are definitely some potentially dangerous things. It's extremely old. The toilet has flooded more than three times in one month. The shower leaks every time it's used and water seeps from underneath the tiles. There have been beehives located right outside our windows that our RD has ignored even after we have complained. He refuses to replace our toilet. There have been instances where the ceiling leaks on to our beds and nothing has been done about it.

This is very dangerous. What if someone slips and falls? What if there's a fire because our power strips are soaked? What if we catch an illness from the mold and mildew festering in our ceilings and floors? Is there someone higher than than the residence director or even the school that I can go to in order to complain about this? I don't want to live like this anymore.
 
You're in college now....Use your head! There are any number of things you can do. You could circulate a petition among the other students who are residing there and submit it to the head honcho of the school, forget the RD. If the conditions are actually dangerous there is nothing like the word lawsuit to make people's ears perk up. Also, get students parents to sign it too, after all, they're probably the ones footing the bill for the kids living in the dump. You could call your city code enforcement people and ask for the premises to be inspected. You can write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. If the conditions are really deplorable you can even alert the local news media. You're paying good money to live in a dorm. Force them to make it inhabitable....
 
Not sure where you live (what State or Country) but if you live in the United States, I would suggest calling your local Township Assessors Office.

There are regulations against living conditions such as yours and something can be done about it. Mold is hazardous to your health and there is a code that every landlord must follow (apartment complexes included). If the property is not up to code, meaning suitable for living conditions, then the landlord will not be able to rent it out until he makes the necessary improvements. Call your local Township if they are not the ones who handle this then they should be able to direct you from there, I am pretty sure they have a division that does, so let that be your first call.

Most every city/town have a township office, if you cannot find the number then call your local community action or some other agency who would be likely to give you the number or try calling information.

They will come out and inspect your house or apartment, make note of all the problems, contact your landlord, and from there he will be dealing with them. At that point, he will have no other choice but to make the necessary repairs or board the place up.

You will not be responsible for rent depending on the severity of your living conditions and may even recieve help finding a new place to live.

So yes, there is help out there. You just have to know who to call. Start with your local Township. Good Luck.
 
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