What should I have the land lord do?

I have a long term assignment with a company that rents office space on the East Coast. I am the only employee in this office as they only need it a few times a month.

I discovered a leak in the ceiling. I have a container catching liquid and I have fans going over the carpet. Before I got there, about 10 feet of the carpet was soaked with water.

The land lord him self is away, his assistant is there but does not seem to want to deal with me with out him there.

Do I have to make them come up and look?

Should I ask that the carpets be cleaned?

Since I am not permanent here, I don't want to come on too strong. Yet I want to do a good job for the company. I have told my boss about this. She is waiting for more news on the status.

How would you handle this?

Be VERY persistent with the landlords assistant. Don't back away, take several pictures of what's happening with the leak. Send it to him, make him come to the office, whatever. If rent is being paid on space then the tenant has a right too have damages units repaired. It is the landlords legal duty to pay for all repair unless it is the tenants fault.

Since you work in the space and represent the tenants for now, it is more your responsibility than anyone else's for now to bring it to your landlords or his assistant's attention. But you have to be persistent.

Sue!

The landlord has a duty to provide you with a livable area. You have to give the landlord a reasonable amount of time to try and fix the problem, and if the landlord does not do anything, you as a renter has the ability to leave the lease. The lease would be broken anyway because of something called a Constructive Eviction.

Hi there! I would call a drywall company and have them come fix it, then have them bill it to the landlord. It is their responsibility to fix it. Good luck!!

I would ask the assistant which carpert cleaner she prefers you use, then tell her in lieu of the rent part of it will be paid out of the cost of cleaning. She will either accept that or do something about it. Make sure you get in writing that she agreed to this. If she does not your boss needs to step in. There is such a thing as tenents rights.

since you are not permanent you cant do too much but since you are there alot of the time you still are paying money to this person. right? if things are not fixable within a $25.00 budget it becomes the landlords responcability. the assistant should call him in and let him know the situation. and he could let you know what to do. look into another place if not taken care of or threaten no rent paid until fixed. the authorities could not take you in or anything because it is the landlords responcability unless underwritten in your contract.

10 feet of water??? I can't imagine the smell, even w/ fans.....Tell the assist that if she doesn't get the carpets cleaned by tomorrow....you will and bill them (in some states you can w/hold the expense from the rent due). And further, what caused the leak....if its still leaking, and being ignored....Tell the assistant to the Landlord, it's her problem NOW because it is a major violation to ignore dangerous situations.....(leaking water/electrical, hmmmm.) Be FORCEFUL

you should take it upon yourself to find new office space for your boss.

give a written intimation to the caretaker guy, about the situation yuo are facing, clearly mention the time when yuo are gonna use that office space, and also the estimated cost of repairments, also , if its possible to get reimbursed of the cost of repairs from the landlord himself , then do arrange for the repairs yourself , so that yuo can be able to use the space when yuo need.

Well ask yourself this, Do you exercise care custody and control of the property for your employer. If so then you have standing in the matter and can ask that the owner or his/her representative be informed of the leak. If they chose to not do anything which I find hard to believe then make sure you have a witness there when they tell you that and a tape recorder running in your pocket to record it and have them repeat there name several times and play forgetful. Next contact your boss and tell them about what the owner or representative advised and then put it squarely on their shoulders as to make a decision what to do about it that way you have covered your tucas all the way around. Mold grows fairly quickly and in old buildings there is no telling whats in the walls and ceilings. Take some photos if you can. A disposable box camera is fairly cheap and you don't even have to develop the pics unless you need them.
Good Luck!!

As a tennant it is your ONLY obligation to notify the landlord, (you are not obligated to minumize the damages) preferably in writting(dated) and in front of a wittness. I just use certified mail. The letter is a requirement to force the landlord to make repairs if they refuse or fail to.

In regards to the carpet cleaning YES the landlord is responsible. This is part of the damage and the condition is also unsanitary.

Your local library has easy to read resources titled under "(the states) Landlord Tennant Law" published by Thompon West and "Every Tennants Legal Guide" published by Nolo, just as example and the source of my response.