I live in a trailer park in southern Florida. After numerous hurricanes, the wiring for most of the yard lights was damaged. The yard light in my yard, and 5 more on down the street don't work. When I asked the office when they would be fixed, I get the "run-around." I decided to fix it myself, so I bought an outdoor (thick/expensive) extension cord, and buried the cord in the front yard. I ran the cord up the pole, and painted it black to match the pole. The bulb was a cool/ energy efficient, florescent bulb. I paid for the electricity myself. Today, I was told by the manager to remove it all. I asked her when will the lights be fixed? She told me "Go to a homeowners meeting." I hate to deal with Stupid people! Now, I'm going to worry about a break-in either to the house, or my Prius! Thanks for letting me vent.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sbradyny @ Jan 15 2007, 01:52 PM) [snapback]376023[/snapback]</div> I'm no lawyer, but if it were me I would send a certified letter to the manager stating my concerns about security and documenting all past and future correspondence. In the sad event of a break-in I would provide copies of the documents to my insurance co and an attorney.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MarinJohn @ Jan 15 2007, 05:03 PM) [snapback]376031[/snapback]</div> " Great idea!!! I can fill out a "complaint" form at the office. Thanks for the idea.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sbradyny @ Jan 15 2007, 05:06 PM) [snapback]376034[/snapback]</div> Complaint form probably won't get the job done. As previously stated, will have to send a certified letter with a return receipt showing that the letter was received. Then, a reasonable amount of time has to be allowed from the date of receipt for the manager to correct the problem (probably thirty days). Are you paying any kind of monthly service/maintenance fee? If so, and the problem has not been corrected within thirty days, then you get to withold those payments. You still have to pay, but rather than paying the office, you get to put the money in escrow at the local courthouse. The court will notify the office that the money is in escrow and will be released upon notification from the complainant that the problem was resolved. That's usually how this sort of thing works in the event that verbally complaining to the management doesn't achieve desired results. You have to document that the office was formally made aware of a deficiency in a promised, paid-for service and, in the event they do nothing about it, you get to withold funds until they do. Plus, as previously mentioned, in the event of a crime, you have documentation which could be used to sue the manager for failing to provide adequate security. The only problem is it all takes time and effort.
If you're really concerned about it, how about installing an exterior light on your trailer? I'm thinking of one of those floodlights you can get at the hardware store. Of course, it would also be nice if you didn't have to mess with that in the first place.
It might be a liability issue with having a 120v extension cord buried in the ground. Try the homeowners association and see what is recommended. You might be better off with motion detection floods on your trailer if they allow them. Or even 12v walkway lights. On the other hand if you live in that park that was just purchased for 510 million then I'd just wait for the check to clear.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(koa @ Jan 15 2007, 03:50 PM) [snapback]376071[/snapback]</div> There is no question that an unprotected extension cord buried in the ground presents a life threatening danger and is a violation of building and safety codes. I can just imagine what would happen to a gardner or maintenance man who may accidentally cut it with a rake or a shovel while doing yard work.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(IsrAmeriPrius @ Jan 15 2007, 02:03 PM) [snapback]376080[/snapback]</div> He would have to be working at night unless the light stays on 24/7. I would worry about deterioration of the extension cord after a period of time. A dog could be in for quite a shock when he lifts his leg.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(koa @ Jan 15 2007, 07:43 PM) [snapback]376096[/snapback]</div> The light may not be on, but juice is flowing through the wires 24/7.
If the management got into such a snit over the extension cord, they're probably not going to be too crazy about a bright, unauthorized, outdoor floodlight, either. I guess it would be a matter if it would be worth the effort and expense just to draw more attention to the non-functioning security light.
I don't know about Florida but here I can get the owner's address from the tax assessor's office. I'd file the complaint with a cc mailed to the owner certified and with receipt as outlined above. I'd then escrow any fees per above. Once the 30 days is up, I'd contact the owner and inform him that since such and such time has passed, notification, et al and nothing has been done I would be installing a light on my own property because of failure of manager to maintain property in a safe manner and make repairs in a timely manner blah blah blah. And continue to escrow the fees. Manager may not care if he gets his money, but owner will. And owner may want to know that he's paying manager to maintain property and manager is lazy-a$$ bastard that isn't doing squat. You may also want to contact city to see if there is any ombudsman or something that can put pressure on manager.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rudiger @ Jan 15 2007, 11:38 PM) [snapback]376136[/snapback]</div> I think the problem was the issue of liability as others have correctly pointed out. If the light is installed on the trailer, I don't see how they could have a problem with it. It's not much different than a porch light - just a lot brighter! Then again, if it's motion-sensing one, it's not like it would be on all the time either.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PA @ Jan 16 2007, 06:45 AM) [snapback]376186[/snapback]</div> Hello, the light was on a pole, in the front yard. it is one of the original yard lights from years ago. As for the electricity, I had a timer set up in the shed, so it would only be on at night. I'm afraid that if i set up an escrow account, the office/owner would probably try to evict me. No, I don't live in Briny Breeze's, I would just wait for a fat check to arrive!! Thanks. To everyone, thanks for the ideas, and advice. I do have a porch light on the screened in porch, which is better than nothing. The yard light on the post was nice for everybody. Last night, I was backing out to go to the store, and there was a family out for a walk. I'm glad that I looked behind me, I could have backed into them, I would be at fault for that. If the yard light had been on, I would have seen them better. As for the cord, it probably would deteriate over time, I thought that a good, thick, outdoor type of cord would last a long time, or until the "promised" lights are installed. I even thought about asking the manager if I can install a solar powered light on the pole, if she says 'No" to that, then I'll know that I'm "shut down." Thanks for the help.
Have you thought of just blameing the whole thing on Bush. Shouldn't he have protected you from the hurricane in the first place. It's not your fault you live in an area where the homes and infrastructure are not built strong enough to withstand the storms that regularly come and destroy them. Bush should be down there himself up on that pole fixing the light, you shouldn't have to put up with this kind of nonsense from the government. As a citizen of this country, I demand that we all pitch in and buy new poles, new lights and new homes for everyone in the path of whatever kind of storms you may have down there. It's up to us all to make this right!!! Hear Hear!!!!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daronspicher @ Jan 16 2007, 05:32 AM) [snapback]376198[/snapback]</div> EXTRA EXTRA!! Left wing logic finally converts a neocon! They're crumbling before our very eyes!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daronspicher @ Jan 16 2007, 09:32 AM) [snapback]376198[/snapback]</div> I'm glad to see that you've retained your level of compassion. I guess, at least you like babies.
I must be missing something, I failed to see anywhere where a stupid person or moron is being described. ???????
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Schmika @ Jan 16 2007, 01:18 PM) [snapback]376342[/snapback]</div> The "moron" is the park Manager. I made the yard light work, if the thing catchs on fire, I'll pay for it. I was also paying for the electricity to run it. She could have left me alone, and ignored the painted (black) like the pole, wire, and went on her way. But no, she has to tell me that that's not allowed, so I had to take everything apart. Maybe she is a "control freak?" I , and my surrounding neighbors think that she over-reacted. Just our opinion. As soon as I'm old enough, I can move, and live in a 55+ park, were things are much nicer. Until then, I'll deal with the "Nazi-police" attitude of the office.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sbradyny @ Jan 16 2007, 07:12 AM) [snapback]376187[/snapback]</div> They could try, but they wouldn't get very far in court, and you could sue for harassment if you could prove they were aware that you'd done everything the law requires and they still harassed you. You don't stop paying any required fees that you've agreed to, you just stop paying the park manager until they live up to the maintenance requirements that you're paying for and are entitled. You don't personally set up an escrow account, the court does that. That's why you pay them your monthly fee - they notify the manager that you're paying them instead and the reason why. Although it's true the office/owner will probably try to intimidate and threaten you with eviction, legally, you cannot be evicted for using the rights for which the law provides when a landlord fails to make repairs. And I'd keep any kind of documentation threatening you with eviction, as well as your documentation that you've notified the manager of exactly what you're doing. You'll need that paperwork to show any law enforcement personnel that show up to prevent them from throwing you out into the street. When the manager finally decides to get around to repairing the light, you notify the court that the situation has been rectified and all of the funds that you've paid to the court's escrow fund are then released to the manager (with no additional late fees or charges added, either). IOW, you don't stop paying, but you stop paying them until they fix the light. When they fix the light, they get their money.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Schmika @ Jan 16 2007, 01:18 PM) [snapback]376342[/snapback]</div> You have to kind of read between the lines.....Or maybe look right at the center, and kind of blur your eyes..........Something about this thread definately smells like dealing with morons.
