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  1. #1

    Default Billed for Labor Cost for Apartment Repairs

    I live in Pennsylvania and my landlord recently sent me a bill in the mail for maintenance. I called the office and they sent a handy man over to fix a broken shelf. When I talked to them on the phone I said "it might of had to much wait on it". The handyman comes over fixes the shelf and I also have a toilet seat that is loose that I show him and he goes to the store and gets a new one and installs it.(The previous toilet seat was probably 10 years old) About a week later I get a bill in the mail for $78.00($56.00 of it which is labor) They never mentioned anything about me having to pay for anything and if I knew they would I would of done it myself. I went today to talk to the manager to try to resolve it and he said since I have a bad attitude I have to pay it. I want to take them to civil court. And I want your opinion and if I have a chance of winning? Also how much should I sue for? Are there anything else money wise I can tact on to the claim. There are lots of other problems with the apartment and the rent here is already too expensive for the area. I feel like there a greedy company that always wants more money. Also should they not have to tell me in advance if they are going to charge me for maintenance? Many thanks

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
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    98,846

    Default Re: Billed for Labor Cost for Apartment Repairs

    If you overloaded the shelf causing to collapse, and you appear to have admitted that you did so, that would be damage for which you are responsible.

    $56 is for labor, and the remaining $22 is for... what?

  3. #3

    Default Re: Billed for Labor Cost for Apartment Repairs

    Quote Quoting Mr. Knowitall
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    If you overloaded the shelf causing to collapse, and you appear to have admitted that you did so, that would be damage for which you are responsible.

    $56 is for labor, and the remaining $22 is for... what?
    I said that on the phone but there was nothing on it when it actually broke. They asked me on the phone why it broke and I did not know why so I just said there was too much weight. I was not thinking. The $22.00 was for the toilet seat and shelf screw

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Posts
    1,026

    Default Re: Billed for Labor Cost for Apartment Repairs

    "And I want your opinion and if I have a chance of winning? Also how much should I sue for?"

    Sue for what? You haven't indicated you've paid for this in the first place.

    "Are there anything else money wise I can tact on to the claim. "

    Like what? Your time talking to the manager?

    "There are lots of other problems with the apartment and the rent here is already too expensive for the area."

    What other problems are there with the apartment that you have been charged for? See...suing someone involves money and from your posting, it doesn't appear you've lost any except that you feel the rent is too expensive for the area. If so, consider moving when your lease is up and look for a less expensive place to rent.

    Gail

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Billed for Labor Cost for Apartment Repairs

    Normally one fixes a loose toilet seat by tightening the screws that hold it in place. If the seat is so old and worn that it's no longer possible to do that, then the issue should be one of ordinary wear and tear, and even if it's damage depreciation should be factored in. If it's truly a wear and tear issue and it were me, I would try to get the landlord to agree that I should not be billed for that part of the repair. (Does your lease include any language about responsibility for minor repairs?)

    As for the shelf, even if they asked what happened, you appear to have stated that you caused the damage by overloading the shelf - and your statement remains the same whether or not you were thinking when you said it. When you damage your unit, it's perfectly reasonable for your landlord to bill you for the repair.

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