This is a copy of the letter I wrote to my university. I live in University managed apartments for upperclassmen undergrad and grad students with children. Just thought it might interest someone. And maybe elicit advice.

 

November 1, 2007

To Apartment Living:

I wish to inform you of my sustained dissatisfaction with a service you claim to offer.

I have lived in Shelbourne apartment 66 since June 2006. In this time I have found myself disappointed with the maintenance service. There are several things around the apartment that have been in need of repair since I moved in, and despite repeated filings of work orders and direct conversation with Bob, (during the brief moments available when he accompanies pest control in spraying) I have not received any repairs whatsoever. To begin, there is a faulty light bulb socket (possibly two) in the ceiling fan of the living room. This has been broken since move-in and has not been repaired. Also, the ventilation fan in the bathroom is excessively loud and is in dire need of a new motor. This has been mentioned since move-in in work orders several times as well, but to no avail. Lastly, the screen in the rear bedroom window has holes where insects are free to come in. This is not only a security issue, but one of hygiene as insects have now begun to attempt to hibernate inside for the winter months. This screen has been in this condition since December of 2006. No work order for this issue has ever been resolved.

The only work order that has been responded to was that of a paint kit that I used to freshen the walls in places. While I have not yet been able to tackle the task of painting an entire room, I plan to because of its current condition. The bedroom’s paint is so dingy that the shadows of the studs are visible. This I can only interpret as another sign that maintenance, a service the University Housing website claims to provide, is either undertaken rarely or not at all. I find this surprising as the apartment and the neighboring units are all at least 20 years old, and many of the bathroom and kitchen fixtures are severely outdated by energy efficiency and economy standards. One would think an apartment complex of this age would receive more attention. The often overgrown hedges beg to differ.

I strongly recommend that the above repairs be undertaken in a timely manner. I intend to pursue this issue until it is resolved. I feel that since I pay rent and have been given a pamphlet that says maintenance is part of the services that are included with the lease, the University should make good on its promises. Or take it off altogether. But don’t lie.

I encourage any representative of Apartment Living or University Housing to contact me so this issue can be resolved.