Mold, flooding basement and electrical problems!

By POS House

I have lived in a rental house for 4 weeks now,  for the past 3 weeks the basement has gone from being damp to flooding 3 times.  Right after I moved in we found the basement "bedroom" that I believe they put in without a permit or anything had wet carpet.  It slowly went from damp to soaking wet.  I have called many times a week to get stuff taken care of an no reasonable effort has been made.  The water is coming in not just through the windows but also the walls and floor.  The home has no gutters on it to help direct rain away.  I have had to move all my stuff up from the basement and now have it piled around the house and have had to move into my sons bedroom.  The basement floor has no drains only a sump pump however the cement floor is pitted and the water puddles in these and has to be broomed out to the sump pump.  The pump has also run constantly since Sunday just running up my electric bill.  They have said they will have someone come in and get an estimate to seal the walls.  That’s not going to work when the windows and floor are also leaking.  As far as the basement goes I have the benefit of having a boyfriend who until 5 years ago only did basements and footings on houses.  He has went through and said everything that needs to be done and it goes way beyond sealing the walls.  We can top this off with some of the brick flaked off in the basement and exposed bugs in the walls.  Also while sleeping in the basement I would wake up itchy and I’ve now figured this is due to the bugs in the basement.  Also I have done a mold test kit in the basement and it has come back positive for mold!  I have 2 kids with chronic lung issues!!

Next would be electrical,  several of the outlets do not work.  Main issue being the one for my stove to plug into!  So I’ve had to cook the meals for my family of 3 in just the microwave or other ways or go out to eat.  An electrician came out yesterday however with standing water in the basement couldn’t do anything.

When I viewed this house it was filthy,  I was told it would be cleaned before move in.  It wasn’t.  Also when I signed my lease I expected a walk through however the agent just had me sign and said she had to go I could walk through and write down all the problems.  I have photos of everything.  This company charged me a $1000 deposit to move in due to no rental history.  My ex husband and I always owned a home.

I cannot live in this house.  I cannot have my kids in this house.  I have contacted the health department and am waiting on a call back.  I do not know what else to do!  I have not yet sent my rent payment for this month and I honestly don’t want to.  I’m living in a house that NEVER should have been rented out.  What are my legal rights to moving out.  To me this is bordering on slum lord.  They have sent people out but they are not addressing all the issues.  Someone please help me!!

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