Why didn’t I think of that? Maybe because this place is oddly shaped and I can’t reach the cleanings, and their may be public records that are usable in court?

They have my money, and a signed contract that they get to keep it if I just leave abruptly. I need to prove the just cause and/or convince them. That’s the whole point of this post. Finding resources and information to make that happen, and more if possible. If you ask a LL to leave mid-lease and have your security deposit back they will say no unless you have a good reason and the knowledge to make it very convincing. I also think I am owed more than that but don’t feel like explaining why a third time.

Leases have penalties if you break them without cause.

YMMV

I do that because running my central heat costs $25 a day to maybe maintain 60F…

https://www.fairhousingmd.org/housing-inquiry-form/

One of the more helpful links I got here. I will let you know when I post in /r/LegalAdvice

You can get a high quality space heater on FB marketplace for $20-30 just do your research on them because they can be fire hazards. Also, probably not allowed by your lease but imo they are already in breach of contract.

Thank you. Not going to play games. Definitely not going to stop paying rent. I am going to make a demand letter and bring the city in to decide if the management play games.

I can’t thank you enough.

Federal case? Elaborate please.

Baltimore City housing authority and/or Code Enforcement for the city or state is my first stop. Well, second actually. My first stop is gathering enough information to demand that I break my lease plenty-free with a 30 day notice, plus reduced rent + subsidized utilities moving forward, plus reimbursement for the rent I paid + utilities for a habitable dwelling which they failed to deliver. Plus moving costs.

That’s what I want. I am willing to negotiate so I am not being shy about what I think I’m owed, and am prepared to compromise on the last two.

I want to make an unassailable and informed demand that cues them in to the fact that I will call the city and possibly sue them in civil court for breach of contract after code enforcement finds that this place doesn’t meet minimum requirements for habitability… which will result in the unit being un-rentable until the necessary (and very expensive) renovations to meet code and get the city off their back - all the while, losing income since they can’t rent it out. If my heater is the only violation the city finds, I’d be surprised.

The implication is that it’s cheaper to pay me to go away quietly than deal with this, and I want to make a carefully written and well researched demand so they realize I the implication of my plan B if they don’t immediately settle could be very bad for them.

I will survive here and let the city do their investigation and make a civil case if I have to. But you are out of your mind if you think I will pay penalties to break a lease they already broke by giving me an apartment I have had to leave because even with the heater on, it’s too cold to live in.

Is your suggestion that I sacrifice my security deposit and eat the costs to move as well as $750 a month to keep it at 60F here until I find a new place?

Amazing thank you.

I don’t want to stay here due to multiple reasons including how they handled this. No interest in seeing how they handle more situations.

Yes.

Thank you. Are you aware of any agencies besides the Baltimore Housing Authority who can also give me advice?

My ideal outcome is cash-for-keys after making demands so I can GTFO. I will still freeze while the courts do their thing.

This place is an old rowhome with lofted ceilings and 8’ windows. It would take an enormous investment to fix the insulation and replace the central heat with something capable. I don’t think they can or will based on how cheap they’ve been with minor repairs.

I am hoping that they do the math and see that paying me out is cheaper than repairs and collecting zero rent until that’s done will compound their losses and potentially stop them from renting at all if it’s too expensive to renovate up to code. Also, code enforcement might find other stuff while they were here. If I were them I’d be very worried about forcing me to get the city involved.

With enough knowledge and the right documentation I can send a demand letter over their breach of contract that is informed enough for them to just eat the loss since it’s clear I’m not dumb and am aware of the code enforcement call being required if they are difficult.

If that fails I will do the code and court stuff but my existence here sucks and I want more than just rent put in escrow. I paid for an apartment and this does not meet the legal requirements to be one. I called BGE and this is not new so they were likely aware when renting it.

Not sure why the question was so unpopular.

First I’ve seen and wanted to go back and take a better picture?

No. I checked.

Yes. That is the edit in my post added about 12 hours ago and a minor detail people seem fixated on while it doesn’t really change the idea behind this post.

No it was yellow the whole time. It was flashing, and I was approaching with caution but they were definitely yellow. You are correct it was the light rail.

I didn’t stop on the tracks. I don’t even cross traffic lights until I know I can fit because I hate being that dude stranded in the intersection.

I stopped before the yellow lights because I noticed the oncoming light rail, but not because of the yellow flashing lights. If they were red I would have stopped anyway had I not seen the light rail. Yellow just seems a poor choice for the warning lights.

If there is some other signal off on the side of the road I was supposed to notice, not everyone is aware of them and traffic to your right could block your view (if there is one over there).

I just think the the lights should have been red. I am not sure if this is who its set up, but if it is, it’s dumb and dangerous (with a very simple fix).

The traffic lights above the street were blinking yellow.

Fair amount of time but new to living in Baltimore proper so not much time driving across downtown like that. And you are correct it was the light rail.

Ah ok you are correct about the locomotive. The light was yellow and blinking.