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Three days ago I awoke to discover our ceiling in our bedroom was leaking. We live in a ground floor apartment. The following day I reported the leak to the front office. I was told that the building is 12 years old, that the roof has holes and that the water is leaking through the roof, down through the walls, and into our apartment. The leak from the ceiling is only the begining. The window sill in the same room is also leaking and has run water into the carpet. There are places on the living room wall that have water damage as well.
I was told at the front office that they couldn't fix anything until the rain stopped. It stopped the next day, btw. I was told the repairs could take up to three weeks to complete and that I should move my furniture into another bedroom of the apartment *because of course we have one empty and with enough space for the master bedroom furniture...not so much* I was also told to 'keep an eye on the carpets because that was what *he* was most worried about* The leasing agent I reported it to *as the office manager doesn't work weekends* didn't even offer to come inspect the leak itself.
The whole situation is very frustrating. We have company coming for Christmas. Less then three weeks til they get here. The apartment will be in disorder from furniture in odd places. And the master bedroom is unlivable. It smells like water. The carpets are still damp.
What I want to know is what are my options? Any advice on the best way to resolve this? I've been advised by friends to put rent in escrow and not pay until the repairs are made, or to purchase things to make the place livable *fans/space heaters* and deduct that from the rent. Are these options legally valid?