Articles: House Or Apartment

Dear Consumer Ed:  The power was out in my apartment for a week as the result of a bad storm.  I could not stay there because it was too cold.  Shouldn’t the apartment complex prorate my rent?

Dear Consumer Ed:  My roof was damaged during a recent storm.  A roofer came to my door and, after looking at my roof, offered to replace it for $20,000. He said the company would pay my insurance deductible if I agreed to let them put a sign in my yard with their company name on it.

Dear Consumer Ed: Can a utility company charge me for a previous tenant’s utility bills? I am a new tenant in a rental home. The owner passed away last year, and apparently after the medical bills were paid, there was no money left in the estate.

Dear Consumer Ed:  I bought a new HVAC system last year, which I had a handyman install.  I recently had a problem with it, which should have been covered under my three-year warranty. When I contacted the manufacturer, they told me the warranty was void.  Now I am facing an $800 repair. What can I do?

Dear Consumer Ed:  I have been renting a home for two years. When the lease was up in October 2015, the Property Manager was delayed in providing a new lease and did not do so until March 2016.

Dear Consumer Ed:  The moving company I hired gave me a quote for $1,000 to move me into my new house.  After they loaded all my stuff in the truck, they said it was going to cost me $1,250.

Dear Consumer Ed:  Two months ago I paid a cement contractor to do a job for me.  The job has not been done and he does not take my calls anymore.  I was given excuses for why he couldn't start, until I requested a refund. What recourse do I have?

Dear Consumer Ed:  How long does a lien stay on a property in Georgia?

Dear Consumer Ed: The management company where I live has stopped collecting rent in person (via check or cash) and now only accepts payments online using a third-party company. The cost for this service is passed on to the renters. Is that legal?