So, I'm currently renting, and this weekend the water pipes froze and burst, after getting it checked out, the problem is the property owner's responsibility, and it will require digging up the yard, and thousands of dollars of work. She says she's broke, and isn't going to fix the problem. Sh'e not willing to take out a loan or anything.
What do you guys think are my best options? Obviously staying isn't going to happen, unless this is fixed, especially since I think the law requires potable water access to even reside in this home. I'm already looking into moving, but that's going to be a nightmare due to my bad credit, and fixed income. section 8 waiting lists take years, etc.. I figured I'd ask here to see if anyone had any advice. Oh, I'm currently in colorado, but looking to relocate just about anywhere i can make work right now. My income is ssdi so I'm not tied to a job.
Real Estate Investor · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2012 · 427 posts · 297 votes
9y
Out of the box idea. If she can't afford to fix it, she can't afford to keep it. Find an investor on here in Pueblo and have them contact her. I know if you were in Raleigh I'd already be sending you a PM for the address so I can get in touch with the owner.
REALTOR® · Brockport, NY · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
9y
Hi @Account Closed,
Sorry to hear of your issue. Yeah it is really her gig, but if she has no money.... insert money turnip analogy. I would recommend contacting your case worker and explaining the situation. They may be able to get you another place. They know other landlords and have contacts and can hopefully get you into something soon. Advantage is it is hard to find renters this time of year and you might catch a break.
Real Estate Investor · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2012 · 427 posts · 297 votes
9y
Out of the box idea. If she can't afford to fix it, she can't afford to keep it. Find an investor on here in Pueblo and have them contact her. I know if you were in Raleigh I'd already be sending you a PM for the address so I can get in touch with the owner.
Investor · PA · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 602 votes
9y
Get estimates from plumbers. It may cost less than she may think. I've had a new line run before from the meter to the basement for around $500 and have had old clay sewer lines dug up and repaired for $375. Certainly there are plumbers that will charge a lot but there are some out there that won't charge a bunch especially if it is just side work for them. I would pay for it and then ask for a credit in that amount on the rent or ask for a reduction in rent until the amount you paid is recovered. Paying too much for repairs is probably the leading reason why many fail in this business especially when there isn't very much money allocated for repairs. Most people are accidental landlords and never really considered the real potential cost of owning real estate.
I'm not on section 8 currently. My wife recently become disabled as well, she used to be our primary income earner, with my social security as backup, now I'm primary at 1K monthly. The front yard has to be dug up, the pipes are 6 feet down, so heavy equipment.
Rental Property Investor · Durango, CO · Member since 2016 · 16 posts · 6 votes
9y
I am sorry to hear that. I am a landlord in CO and NM. It is totally her responsibility and she should take care of it. I would recommend talking to the housing authority in Pueblo. They will send her a nice letter stating that she needs to fix it.
Investor · PA · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 602 votes
9y
From what I'm reading online the frost line in peublo is only 26" so it might not be too difficult to just run a new line of pex from the meter to the water heater. Probably about a half day of work depending on the length of the trench and the cost of the ditch diggers.
Property Manager · Virginia Beach, VA · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
9y
In our state she would be required to provide you with alternative housing while she fixed this issue. You have the same right as the landlord does when there is a lease violation. Take her to court and let the Judge decide. That's not going to help your current situation though. I'd suggest calling the Red Cross for immediate assistance. Then try your city or county social services department to see if there are any emergency programs you may qualify for. I'm so sorry for your situation.
Oh - one more idea. Could the landlord submit this as an insurance claim? That may be a possibility. She would have to pay the deductible.
Investor · Florida Panhandle/Illinois · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
9y
I have been a building and zoning official for over 20 years. It is a code violation and the building is not habitable without a proper water source. I agree with the other comments check your lease. I am not familiar with Colorado Law but every jurisdiction I have encountered addresses this issue very similar. They could post the building and in these cases could find you temporary housing, but it my put you in a bad spot. I would look for other government sources through the county, township, housing authority, city etc. There may be other resources you are not aware of. Each jurisdiction provides different resources for these types of situations.
You need to talk to your handler and have them deal with the issue or find you another place to live. Any time spent trying to deal with the water issue or the landlord is time wasted. Make plans immediately to move.
thank you everyone for taking the time to offer advice. I'll offer an update, and a clarification of what's going on.
So, in response to many questions here's some more info. I'm not currently receving any section 8 or other housing assistance. In fact my wife was the primary earner until she became disabled a little while ago. I personally receive $1k a month from ssdi. My wife's disability case is pending, so our I come is limited to my ssdi for now. The good news is we have $6k in the bank, and quite a large credit line available.
The home were renting is of little value, there are multiple problems she's refused to fix, like electrical issues, holes in the rotting floor, broken deck-patio. The issue after talking to the property owner, is that she's barely keeping her head above water. If we stopped paying her rent in order to fix stuff, shed stop paying the mortgage. And the home would go into foreclosure.
I've talked to my local city human resources person ( responsible for food stamps and other assistance) and she can't help me, I live in unincorporated crowley county and there's nobody who cares.
I got a free consultation with a real estate attorney, and he's advised me on how to get out of the lease, I'll be able to walk away as early as 12\30.
The real issue I'm having now is finding a rental with an income of 1k monthly, section 8 waiting lists are years long, and I have a services dog, and my wife has 4 pet dogs, chiuahuas and daschounds.
Were looking nationwide for a place just to try to make this work, we have friends in phoenix,az, but are looking anywhere.
Any advice on finding a pet friendly place that doesn't run screaming from a $1k monthly income? I'm quite handy, having done electrical, plumbing,flooring,roofing and other construction work, maybe someone looking for a live in handyman, for apartments or multifamily units?
Property Manager · Virginia Beach, VA · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
9y
I know this is none of my business, but how can you possibly afford to feed and vet 5 dogs and take care of two people on $1K/month? No landlord in their right mind is going to take you. With that amount of cash you may have success in finding a fixer upper mobile home, but most parks won't accept that number of animals.
Well, I'm dipping into my savings. Additionally, we're smart and frugal, we keep a tight budget and plan ahead, we have 6 months of dog food saved, own our cars outright, and carry no debt. and our dogs get exceptional vet care, just last year we successfully treated one of our dogs spinal cancer for $10k. My 1k is my temporary income, since my wife is unable to work now. She lost her income about 2 weeks ago. This is probably the worst possible timing, given a few more months an we'd have more income. The issue is I don't want to be homeless until then.
Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
9y
If she can hardly stay above water, she'll likely lose the house, if you were to move.
So, with 6k in the bank, maybe you can make her an offer of owner-financing and you fix the line. It doesn't have to cost thousands. If the line only has to be 26" deep, you can find some day laborer to dig out the new trench for $ 100-200, depending on the length, and then have a plumber lay a new line for $500.00.
That would allow her to still have the income from the house, which she won't when you move out, and you'll actually own the house, instead of renting.
I would set the payments up through a loan servicing company, which would pull the amount straight out of your account, make the payment to the mortgage company and send the difference to the present owner.
Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
9y
Short term when we have had wells run dry we have run a hose from another home but it is likely too cold where you are. some places you can get water delivery. Frequently this type of issue the lease will deal with and it may terminate even if it doesn't you could get out of it for lack of habitability.
I am ignoring what you can/ can't do on the water issue/landlord - lots of advice already on that.
With the moving idea it sounds like you are expecting your wife to get permanent vs temporary disability. Depending on your age you can try for senior housing, senior housing may lower the age for ssdi or you can apply for low income public housing. However with 5 dogs not sure if they will take you, that is the major issue in relocating. I would look for a rural location, any family that would help you finance a low cost buy? Income 3x rent would mean you are looking maybe a $300 month. If you can't do that I would search cheapest places to retire to relocate.
With the moving idea it sounds like you are expecting your wife to get permanent vs temporary disability. Depending on your age you can try for senior housing, senior housing may lower the age for ssdi or you can apply for low income public housing. However with 5 dogs not sure if they will take you, that is the major issue in relocating. I would look for a rural location, any family that would help you finance a low cost buy? Income 3x rent would mean you are looking maybe a $300 month. If you can't do that I would search cheapest places to retire to relocate.
So, we're a wierd case. I'm 34 and have been on ssdi for 7 years, I was a working Professional until I was diagnosed about 8 years ago, Likewise my wife is a Nurse, and 29 but she's been fighting cushing's disease for 3 years now, and her doctor's don't give her good odds. she was collecting her works long term disability insurance, but they cut that off less than a month ago. When she's approved for ssdi they will owe her aproxx $40k in back payments, but none of that helps us now. As a young couple without kids, everyone assumes that we should be able to work, and most don't offer much assistance. I'm capable of part time work, maybe another $500 or so a month, but my wife is unable to work at all.
So, since we have friends in phoenix, when we find a rental that looks good we are having them go to look at it and talk to the property owner. I know the real challenge is the Dogs. Before my wife got sick we used to run an animal rescue, and her 4 are what's left from those days, plus my service dog I need for getting around.
What's tough is that I know I'm not literally going to be on the street, my wife has amazing credit and over 100k credit line, I just don't want to have to run up massive debts till we find a permanent solution. We'd like to buy, but my credit is a little below the mortgage threshold, and she now has no income... Owner carry is probably a great idea.
Man, I'm getting so tired of bathing in my sink out of store bought water... Oh well, I'll keep looking.
You best solution is to obviously move as it will not get better where you are.
Your temporary situation financially is a major hurdle but more that that your decision to have your dogs is illogical. You need to get your priorities straight. Get rid of the dogs or accept your present situation due to the dogs.
Queen Creek, AZ · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y
Phoenix is not a low rent market. For 40k you could buy a place outright in Indiana, Michigan, or Ohio, in Phoenix that is a down payment. If you think you are going to be on disability long term then a small town somewhere will have the lowest cost of housing.
bob, I've rerun my credit and it appears my efforts have paid off. Im sitting on a 737 fico.. yay. So, I'm actually looking at indianapolis now. I talk to the mortgage lender in the morning.
Milford, OH · Member since 2016 · 47 posts · 13 votes
9y
Forgive me as I did not read through all of these messages. But if this hasn't been said you do need to know... You do not have to pay rent while this problem is happening. You will have to put your rent into an escrow account and then tell the owner that the money will sit in the account until the fixs are made. But make sure the money goes into the escrow account. You will have to show that the money is readily available in court if it goes that far. I would assume the owner will either sell or fix the problem. It sucks you are in this situation.
(also I'm from Ohio and landlord laws may be different so I suggest doing some research)
Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
9y
That is good to hear. Make sure if you are a first time buyer you look into any state programs for that. We have lived in a couple of states where we saw some great programs bring friends into home ownership with some incentives. They were high cost states though and it was a few years ago. Hope it works out.