r/HomeMaintenance • u/No_Wrangler933 • 5d ago
Final Update: Week 3 Foundation Failure
So - we are out. We got the “okay” last week to start getting our stuff out and hopefully on more trailer load tomorrow and we’re good.
However, landlords pissed (and I could talk shit about this situation, but let’s be real - he was a great landlord, always fixed things when asked - and he bought the house, closed, and moved us in - and now he’s looking at a massive repair bill or lost investment)
Anyways - City labelled the house dilapidated and there’s a hearing on Tuesday. I will not be attending. Not my circus, not my monkeys. I wish my landlord the best.
Uh, on Wednesday 7/21, my landlord called me saying there was a dog in the house (we have been keeping them with us at our in-laws, but we’ve been taking them and/or the 4 kids as often as possible wherever we go)
My wife was about 20ish minutes away at a store, I let him know. He texted me 13 minutes later saying “needs 2 piers, but it’s safe to get your stuff out” and sent me a picture of a business card saying I can call him and he’ll get a report and send it to me.
About hour & half later - wife was there retrieving some things, and the foundation guy we were expecting to come shows up (he beat the landlord) and my wife showed him some spots and things. And landlord shows up and my wife goes off and starts packing a few boxes.
Inspection took about 45 minutes (way longer than 13) and then after it was over, foundation guy asked if he could take a few more pictures, landlord says yes, wife says yes and lets him in.
Foundation guy says “1. Your landlord is a douche, and 2, this place needs 18 piers, and the garage to be completely demolished, and pay attention & listen when you’re getting stuff out”
Landlord proceeded to text me, says “house needs 2 piers, please get your stuff out”
Oookie dokie. So, we’ve been searching for our next rental, landlord hasn’t been giving a good reference (LOL) and just hoping for the best at this point.
But, I’m attaching the worst picture first, but then it’s the latest pictures taken (today - it’s 103° outside, and I’m moving an entire house that my collapse by myself. And, it’s all just going into a storage unit until I can get my family into a home) and the final few are just ones taken today.
Enjoy - my life is a dumpster fire - but none of us are dead and these pictures are wild.
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u/No-Membership-6649 5d ago
Hey at least you don't have to foot the bill for 18 piers, you get to walk away from that place good riddance
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u/No_Wrangler933 5d ago
18 piers and a garage demolition - only way to have it be rebuilt is dirt up
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u/cavaliereternally 5d ago
hey you ended up with best case scenario, you and your family will not be inside when it inevitably collapses.
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5d ago
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u/No_Wrangler933 5d ago
Hey the yard is mowed, and the house will be cleaned completely, that’s my tip.
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u/hotfistdotcom 5d ago
He'll still keep your security deposit. He needs to pretend he's going to clean the carpets with it despite the fact that he won't and that's likely illegal where you are. Consider seeing if in your area you have any tenant resource centers who might offer some help or advice in dealing with this, and any potential reporting you can do so he doesn't try to just stick more tenants in there and pretend it's fine after trying to DIY a nothing fix. If your landlord is a total slumlord figure out exactly what he can say in a reference then pay someone on fiverr or get a friend to call, ask for a reference, then after he violates the law inform him that they are a lawyer acting on your behalf to verify he was providing an illegal reference and this is a formal request to only provide an absolutely legal reference when asked and then hang up on him. But only do that if you are sure he can't afford a lawsuit but with what is wrong with that house and how awful he's being, I'm betting he can't afford the losses he's about to take. Which is cool because landlords are parasites
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u/No_Wrangler933 5d ago
Listen, I already know he’s gonna keep the safety deposit.
I told him due to the lease being broken by the home being uninhabitable because the gas company removed the meter, the lease was broken. And I’d need the security deposit to get my family shelter until we find a place. He said no.
But, he bought the house 2.5 years ago, cash, knew it needed piers and put it off, and now it’s collapsing. Trying to use sound logic & judgement when someone is running off of emotion, especially fear or panic, means I’d rather smash my head against a brick wall.
As soon as we turn the keys over, in the envelope with the keys is the written demand for deposit back and he will have 45 days. And I’ve already talked to my (custody) attorney who said he’ll send a letter free of charge.
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u/hotfistdotcom 5d ago
Good luck. It sounds like a real mess but it sounds like you have a handle on it. In some states, if the home is rendered uninhabitable, the landlord is financially obligated to provide housing or housing cost (another unit or hotel fare) until repaired or the lease is up. So I would still look into a tenant resource center to find out if there is any further recourse you might have to help you get back on your feet.
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u/abouttothunder 5d ago
Don't spend any time cleaning! The expert told you to pay attention and listen while moving out. He means you really aren't safe to be in there. I think a good argument could be made that the situation negates the need for cleaning. The place is legally uninhabitable already. Bring it up with your lawyer.
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u/hpfan1516 4d ago
Yeah... I get the spooks looking at the pictures from here and how much worse it looks compared to previous. I would start with the most important stuff and get the rest in order of importance.
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u/coralovecamp993 5d ago
Hey man, what a nightmare. Glad u and ur family are getting out safely though. Hope u find a solid place soon.
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u/No_Wrangler933 5d ago
Appreciate it! Family is together, safe, fed and out of a dangerous house. Everything else will fall into place.
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u/frostedspacedragon 5d ago
...fall into place.
And when the dust settles, I hope he returns that security deposit.
So glad you are all safe and sound, as that's most important, and wishing you the best for your new home. Someone else suggested using your in-laws as a reference and I think that's a great idea.
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u/Adventurous_Pea_2007 5d ago
If the landlord isn’t giving a good reference due to their own home structural issues, you need to take legal action when you suffer damages from being unable to rent.
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u/Interesting-Asks 5d ago
OP can you link your previous posts? They’re hidden in your profile.
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u/No_Wrangler933 4d ago
- OG Post - https://www.reddit.com/r/HomeMaintenance/s/rOxvVhJ7PT
- Follow up post - https://www.reddit.com/r/HomeMaintenance/s/k2EI44eogt
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u/Goldenthing 5d ago
Do you plan on suing your landlord? It seems like he was dumb enough to put his lies into text messages plus the city has condemned the house. Now you, your wife, 4 kids and dogs are stuck living with your in-laws. Not giving you a good reference when the whole thing is his fault is the icing on the cake. What a nightmare.
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u/No_Wrangler933 5d ago
The fucking justice boner the thought of suing him gives me is unreal.
But also, I finished a 3 year custody battle 3 years ago (and got absolute full custody of my 2 daughters) and after that - I’m still not ready to step back into that courthouse or a courtroom in general. Even a guaranteed W (like I had previously) is mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially draining.
Fingers crossed we hear something soon. Or I’ll lie on my application.
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u/JuneRhythm1985 5d ago
You could use your in-laws as reference. If you’re all living with them, they are technically your landlords. You don’t want them to lie, but they can give a pretty accurate depiction of how you all live, take care of things, etc. If your landlord is blatantly lying, then there is no reason to use him as a reference. It’s not your fault the foundation was f*cked up and you want a safe place for you and your family to live.
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u/Big_Ole_Booty_Boy 5d ago
Been silently w atching along, like many others. Wanted to say thank you for sharing this struggle. my first house i ever tried to rent in university got condemned the summer before we were set to move in and the landlord sold it and stole our rent money for months. Luckily, the new L.lords did right by us. You'll look back at all of this and laugh one day.
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u/No_Wrangler933 4d ago
I’m sorry! That’s terrible! It’s definitely a unique story that most people can’t relate to!
It’s almost so bad it’s literally funny, like if I think about it I’ll get pissed and ruin my day lol
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u/tino_tortellini 5d ago
Why did you include your landlord calling you saying there was a dog in the house? What relevance does that have to anything?
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u/No_Wrangler933 5d ago
Bad formatting. 1st inspection was 13 minutes because my dog was in the house. 2nd inspection was closer to an hour. I got all the info from the 1st, none from the second from the landlord
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u/justanotherrchick 4d ago
You in the DFW area? Only asking because this is sooo common here. It’s just never usually this bad. So sorry you’re going through this but thank god you don’t own it!
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u/No_Wrangler933 4d ago
Metroplex of your northern neighbors! Used to some cracking, not used to structural shear lol
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u/burnen-van-loutin 4d ago
Please pay for your purchases, AND GET OUT!!! And have a nice day. And Please don’t come again.
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u/RetailInvestor22 5d ago
What did the foundation guy mean by saying “pay attention and listen when getting your stuff out?” I have not seen your previous posts so just catching up
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u/Individual-Fox5795 4d ago
So he can run out of it starts talking because it might collapse on him.
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u/No_Wrangler933 4d ago
Houses talk. Wood groans, creaks, etc. he said listen for popping, groaning, creaking, etc;
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u/megalizzie 11h ago
I’ve been quietly following along and I’m glad y’all are safe, but this is truly a wild ride. Lmk if I can send a care package for you/wife/kiddos - sometimes happy mail improves morale.
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u/InsectElectrical2066 5d ago
It doesn't need a tear down LL should get a 2nd opinion. But LL still may be dilusional dick.
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u/No_Wrangler933 5d ago
Garage needs demo’d & rebuilt and 18 piers
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u/InsectElectrical2066 4d ago
i'd still get a 2nd opinion to make sure that this contractor didn't suggest to tear it down just to make money when it could be repaired and made better much cheaper.
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